Abacus

4 Martin Place is a State significant heritage listed thirteen-storey office building originally constructed in 1907, though reconstructed to its art-deco style in 1936. It is named after merchant, landowner and philanthropist John Henry Challis whose commemorative marble statue still resides within the entry portal of the Lobby. The building is steeped in yesteryear history having assumed the function of a commercial city building that was closely linked with tourism due to the occupants of the lower floors being the Railways Ticketing Office and Government Tourist Bureau.

The Lobby had last been refurbished in 1974 during a period when the building received a significant upgrade. Whilst still in good condition and until recently, it was one of the few remaining untouched building arrivals along the Martin Place pedestrian business link. With a changing tenant profile the Owners set about creating an elegant design with a focus on a sustainable timber application that is less heavy than the previously full height mahogany cladded walls. 

The lobby remained a live site during the construction phase, with strategically placed hoarding and travel paths to the passenger lifts, which remained operational for tenants and visitors. A significant portion of the works were undertaken out of hours and on weekends, to manage safety and site presentation during business hours. This work involved full floor tile replacement, the removal of the floor to ceiling timber panels, the installation of new wall panels, and the management of high-risk working at heights aspects of the project, including feature lighting replacement.