Cromwell completes 'Sydney First' electrification upgrade

Real estate investor and fund manager Cromwell Property Group (ASX:CMW) (Cromwell) has completed a ‘Sydney first’ facility upgrade of its 1970s-era Rawson Place property in Haymarket.

The 24-storey McKell Building has undergone a 12-month, multi-million-dollar conversion of its outdated commercial gas-fired heating system to an electric heat-recovery reverse cycle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

It is the first time that a multistorey, 25,000sqm commercial building in the Sydney CBD has had an electrification upgrade of this kind.

Cromwell’s Head of Property Operations, Tessa Morrison, said the successful completion of the multi-faceted infrastructure upgrade – on time and on budget – was a credit to the project team, which worked alongside mechanical engineering firm, GWA, and mechanical contractor, Velocity Air.

“We are delighted to announce the completion of this project today,” said Ms. Morrison, “the McKell Building electrification upgrade will ‘future-proof’ this asset for years to come through the use of modern, energy saving equipment.”

“The building has held a NABERS 5.5 Star energy rating for the past two years – so, while it is already significantly energy efficient, we have been able to undertake works that will further reduce emissions and drive energy efficiencies. We estimate that we will achieve an initial 5% energy reduction of the total base building electricity consumption through the installation of the heat recovery chiller.”

“Importantly, the completion of this project reinforces Cromwell’s commitment to deliver sustainable outcomes that align with our proposed Net Zero target for operational control buildings by 2035.”

Efficiencies in the new reverse cycle HVAC system will mean that hot air removed as part of the building’s air conditioning process will be recycled back into the system for use elsewhere, including heating the building’s water.

The new reverse cycle system will also be able to be programmed for seasonal efficiency, meaning reduced energy consumption throughout the year.

Ms Morrison said that some unique logistical challenges were encountered during the process; however, a 400-tonne crane was used by the team to help complete the project.

“Three 9.3-tonne air conditioning systems were lifted onto the building’s roof from street level, as well as support beams weighing more than 3.2-tonnes combined, and buffer tanks with a combined weight of more than 1.6-tonnes,” said Ms. Morrison.

“The coordination between Cromwell project team members, contractors, suppliers, and building tenants to achieve this outcome has been incredible.”

Cromwell acquired the McKell Building in June 2013, and the property is solely occupied by a NSW Government tenant.