A Sydney skyscraper has captured royal attention as a 2025 finalist for the global environmental award, the Earthshot Prize.
The tower sits in the heart of Circular Quay as the world’s first fully upcycled skyscraper and was originally the tallest building in Sydney when opened in 1976.
Prince William, the founder and president, launched The Earthshot Prize in 2020 in an effort to support and celebrate those championing solutions for the planet.
Five of the 15 finalists will be named winners on November 5 during the awards ceremony in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
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Quay Quarter Tower in Circular Quay. Image: Adam Mork.
Inside the Quay Quarter Tower. Image: Adam Mork.
Retrofitting replaced demolition in the project that was completed in 2022, retaining 65 per cent of the original structure and 98 per cent of the core, avoiding more than 12,000 tonnes of embodied carbon.
“What’s unique about the tower is that instead of demolishing the original 1970s structure, we kept 65 per cent of it,” Matthew Blair principal of BVN said.
“The client was clear from the start: they wanted a new landmark, but not at the cost of sending thousands of tonnes of concrete and steel to landfill.
“So we had to find a way to work with what was there.”
Mr Blair said they worked alongside 3XN in an intensive, collaborative process with the city of Sydney, stakeholders, and a lot of valuable partners ensuring it stacked up commercially and sustainability.
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The tower was once the tallest building in Sydney in 1976. Image: Ethan Rohloff.
“It’s taken more than a decade, but the result is a real demonstration of how cities can evolve without erasing what’s already there,” he said.
“It’s not about aesthetics – it’s a serious example of circular economy thinking applied at the scale of a high-rise tower. And in a CBD context.
“The existing building had reached the end of its life in 40 years, and the new building is designed to last more than 100 – sustainable economically, socially, commercially and of course environmentally.”
Mr Blair said sustainable projects matter everywhere but in high-density cities like Sydney, they can be especially impactful because of their visibility and scale.
“These urban centres offer some of the greatest opportunities to lead by example, particularly through retrofitting and adaptive reuse,” he said.
Quay Quarter Tower is managed by Dexus and owned by the Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF), Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund (MWOF) and Rest. Image: Adam Mork.
You can spot the tower along the skyline. Image: Ethan Rohloff.
“As cities grow and evolve, the challenge is no longer just about building more, it’s about making what already exists work harder, last longer and perform better.
“Every project becomes a chance to reduce embodied carbon, extend the life of existing assets, and create more resilient, future-ready places.
“This sort of project sets a precedent – not just in design, but in how we think about value, longevity, and responsibility in the built environment.”
Mr Blair said being named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize is a significant moment, not just for the project team, but for the broader built environment sector.
“It signals a growing recognition that our industry has a critical role to play in addressing the climate crisis,” he said.
Matthew Blair
“The environmental impact of construction and development is profound and we can no longer afford to treat sustainability as secondary.
“This recognition affirms that projects rooted in reuse, regeneration, and long-term value creation are essential to the future of cities.
“It shows that meaningful design isn’t defined by novelty alone, but by how effectively we respond to existing conditions – materially, socially, and environmentally.”
Mr Blair said Quay Quarter Tower is an example of what’s possible when circular economy principles are applied at scale and from the entire project team.
“It demonstrates that transformation can be achieved through retention, adaptation and thoughtful collaboration,” he said.
“This moment reinforces that innovation and responsibility are not competing goals – they are inseparable.”
The Tower is managed by Dexus and owned by the Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF), Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund (MWOF) and Rest and was designed by 3XN, developed in partnership with BVN.
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