Acknowledgement of Country

Adriano Pupilli Architects respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work; the Gayamaygal people and Yuin people. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. This is, was and always will be Aboriginal land.

The Portico Martin Place

A place to gather

Commercial, Interiors

Located along Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD, beneath the iconic arches of the GPO, The Portico revitalises an underused mezzanine into a dynamic tenant hub, café, gallery, event space, and co-working area.
Location
Gadigal Country / Sydney CBD
Client
Charter Hall
Type
Commercial
Status
Complete
Year
2018
Builder
Graphite Projects
Awards
Australian Timber Design Awards - Winner - Commercial Fitout | Sydney Design Awards - Gold Winner – Social Space | Master Builder’s Awards: Winner, Commercial Interior Fitouts $4-6M
Photography
Tyrone Branigan

The design concept for Charter Hall envisioned the mezzanine as a contemporary portico—a space that facilitates interaction and community engagement. The goal was to create a retreat from the bustling Pitt Street while maintaining a visual and spatial connection to its energy, offering an in-between place where people could pause and engage more deeply with their surroundings.

Our design approach was informed by the existing qualities of the space. By activating the glazed perimeter, we transformed the edges into vibrant social and work areas that connect seamlessly with the street. Previously overlooked spaces have been repurposed into intimate nooks for gatherings and events, while the main walkways have been designed as active spots for grabbing coffee, catching up on work, or simply observing the flow of people.

A newly introduced staircase from the foyer level serves as an inviting entry point, guiding visitors from the street into the mezzanine. The vaulted dowel ceiling introduces a rhythmic element, drawing inspiration from the classical architecture of the GPO, and adds a sense of calm and intimacy to the space. The flexible gallery area, with its movable screens, accommodates local artwork displays and can be easily reconfigured for workshops, making the space adaptable to various functions.

The project emerged from a collaborative effort between Adriano Pupilli Architects and Siren Design, selected through a design competition. Through close consultation with the client and stakeholders, the concept was refined, resulting in a flexible, modular fit-out that can adapt as the space’s requirements evolve.

The Portico transcends its functional role, providing a space that nurtures connection and creativity. It offers a welcoming environment where people can linger, collaborate, and engage with the surrounding community, ensuring that the space remains relevant and adaptable to the changing needs of its users over time.

The vaulted dowel ceiling introduces a rhythmic element, drawing inspiration from the classical architecture of the GPO, and adds a sense of calm and intimacy to the space

Previously overlooked spaces have been repurposed into intimate nooks for gatherings and events

The flexible gallery area, with its movable screens, accommodates local artwork displays and can be easily reconfigured for workshops, making the space adaptable to various functions

"I have known Adriano Pupilli since he first submitted a concept design for the activation of Charter Hall’s No. 1 Martin Place Mezzanine and Ground Floor in late 2015. From the first time he presented to our business, Adriano gave us confidence that he understood the client challenge and developed a return brief that set the tone for a vision that was realised in August 2018.
The No.1 Martin Place vision incorporated a space with its own sense of identity that blends into the heritage of the Martin Place GPO. Most importantly, since the first morning the space opened, it has been constantly busy, buzzing and generating positive feedback from building tenants and the public.

Importantly for a project manager, APA struck what to me was the right balance between staying firm on an architectural vision while acknowledging client and builder feedback on operational and construction issues.
I confidently recommend APA for any projects needing a big architectural outcome from a small and focussed team."
Phil Senn, Manager Technical Services