Client
Isis Group Australia
Location
Sydney, New South Wales
Completed
2012
Value
$25 million
Role
Hydraulic and structural
design and documentation
The Downing Centre is a major court house complex located in the Sydney central business
district, on Liverpool Street between Elizabeth and Castlereagh Streets.
It features state government courts; local courts, the district court of New South Wales and a law library known as the Downing Centre Library. It forms part of the Department of Attorney General and Justice, and as such houses court services and sheriffs' offices.
Originally built in 1908 as the premises for Mark Foys, the building was converted into courts in 1985 and is heritage listed.
Woolacotts was engaged as structural engineers for the reconfiguration of the level three court rooms, including removal of columns, security
holding bays and tiered flooring. The courts
feature high-tech multimedia, which is expected to speed up the legal process.
Sydney’s biggest trials will be held in the Downing Centre court rooms, including the high profile ‘Sydney bikie war’ trials.
The project was featured on Seven News, where NSW Attorney General Greg Smith said, “This is the best court I’ve seen in the country, and I’ve seen courts in every state and territory.”
Other court projects
With several decades of experience, Woolacotts are experts in justice and emergency design. We have completed countless prison, court house and emergency services projects throughout our 80 years of operation.
Other court house projects completed by Woolacotts include:
— Central Local Court upgrade
— Parramatta Court upgrade
— Dubbo Court upgrade