Bourke and Bowden: Redefining the suburban office with innovation, art and sustainability

The new mixed-use precinct Bourke and Bowden – designed by real estate developer Time & Place to cater to the needs of next-generational businesses in rapidly rejuvenating Alexandria, five kilometres south of the Sydney CBD – features a striking terracotta-hued aluminium exoskeleton with office and retail inside.

Bourke and Bowden reached “practical completion” this week. The project is still vacant but 85 per cent tenanted, and an additional co-working workspace will be included.

Luxury wellness spa Soak Bathhouse and a high-end furniture retailer have signed on as tenants.

Time & Place would not disclose its rental expectations,  but said it was seeking expressions of interest to secure the remaining office tenancies and food and beverage space.

Built to the highest standards, the A-Grade building targets carbon net zero and is powered entirely by green electricity. It hopes for a 5.5-Star NABERS energy rating and a 6-Star NABERS energy rating with Greenpower, in addition to a 5-Star Green Star Design & As Built Rating. 

Tech innovator WiseTech will move into the building at 25 Bourke Road next year. The company’s current digs are just 18 minutes’ walk away at 74 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria, where it reportedly pays $2.18 million. It is understood its rent will increase “substantially”.

WiseTech Global interim chief executive Andrew Cartledge said the company was excited to be moving into its new offices, which were inspired by those in Silicon Valley.

“At WiseTech we offer a hybrid work model combining remote working with in-person collaboration in the office,” he said.

“Key to this is creating a welcoming office environment with creative spaces, that attracts our team members to want to come in and work together.” 

Last month WiseTech founder and chief executive Richard White stepped down from his role following a controversial media storm to focus on product and business development.

White reportedly originally owned the O’Riordan Street headquarters, where he converted an old warehouse into offices. He bought the building for $12 million in 2017 before spending more than $14 million converting the space into modern offices for the company he founded in 1994.

Bourke and Bowden, developed in partnership with Hickory, has been designed by John Wardle Architects, with Flack Studio spearheading the natural-light-filled interiors.

The striking building, perched on the corner of Bourke Road and Bowden Street, provides 16,500 square metres of premium office and retail space across three levels on an 8000 square metre site just 400 metres from local rail links, near parklands, cafes and restaurants.

High-end sculptures and culturally significant artworks feature prominently, along with a roof terrace and “treehouse” meeting rooms that take on an innovative form and overlook a 1000-square-metre courtyard.

End-of-trip facilities include bicycle spaces, a workshop, lockers and change rooms, plus EV charging stations in the 172 basement parking spaces and a GoGet car share service.

Bourke and Bowden’s terracotta-hued exoskeleton, inspired by Sydney’s historic brick kilns, showcases exceptional architectural design following the City of Sydney’s Design Competition. 

Complementing its striking modernity, the development features Salvation, a public art series by Chinese artist Guan Wei that reflects social and environmental themes and celebrates Alexandria’s diverse heritage. 

Time & Place founder and director Tim Price described the well-thought-out space as future-proofed, given the post-COVID office market has pivoted from traditional CBD locations and corporate formats.

“South Sydney has proven itself to be far more than an emerging market – it’s become a key city-fringe creative, commercial and innovation hub in its own right,” he said.

“We believe it sets a whole new standard for commercial precincts not just in Alexandria, but Sydney too. This precinct’s got a bit of everything, mixing bold design with retail and commercial innovation.

“Inspired by Silicon Valley – an area known for its next-generational creative corporate hubs – our focus is on connectivity and optimised spaces, with tenant wellness and employee health as top priorities.”

Hickory chief executive Michael Argyrou said the development reflected a “pivotal moment” for his company.

“This project goes beyond conventional construction – it’s a rare opportunity to showcase our expertise within a development that redefines commercial design and function,” he said.