Inside NAB’s new Sydney HQ

_{Feature image above: Photo Jeremy Piper}

_{Updated 20.10.2021 | First Published 16.05.2021}

NAB today unveiled its new state-of-the-art Sydney headquarters as the bank continues to embrace hybrid working. 

The new location in Sydney is the first of NAB’s two brand new corporate office buildings to launch in 2021, with 395 Bourke Street in Melbourne CBD also opening later in the year, providing employees with modern facilities designed for the future of collaborative working.

Home to more than 2,000 employees NAB Place Sydney is comprised of two connected spaces: the heritage listed Shell House building and the Carrington Street tower; with the main entrance on Carrington Street.

Sustainability has been embedded in the fit out and building design, reducing the impact on environmental resources throughout its life cycle, ranging from early design and material selection to on-site construction, building operation, occupancy, and end of life. The building will achieve a minimum 5 Star Green Star Design for office design, from the Green Building Council of Australia.

NAB Group Executive – People & Culture, Susan Ferrier, said NAB’s new Sydney headquarters and Melbourne location reflected the bank’s commitment to creating workplaces that increased collaboration and innovative thinking.  

“The way we work has changed and this is about creating environments that help our people bring their best to work, so that we can best serve our customers,” Ms Ferrier said.

“Hybrid working is the new normal for most of us with more flexibility in how we work, and our CBD offices remain crucial for collaboration and problem solving, as well as adding to the vibrant culture of Australia’s two largest cities. 

“While we’ve learnt to collaborate remotely in incredible ways, the power of face-to-face connection, learning from others and culture building has been a huge benefit of returning to the office. Most NAB colleagues are now working from the office about 2-3 days per week and coming together for team meetings, strategy sessions and to solve customer problems. 

“Days at home are often spent on focussed or individual work. Whether it’s the home, office or elsewhere, where we work will likely be driven by where our customers need us most.” 

Recent data from a NAB Wellbeing Insight Report revealed that while most inner-city workers found working from home during COVID-19 to be a positive experience, a significant amount also said there were aspects of the  office  environment they missed. This included things like informal interactions with colleagues and brainstorming opportunities. 

NAB employees will move into 2 Carrington Street from mid-May 2021, with easy access to the refurbished Wynyard precinct and newly announced Metro West station on the corner of Hunter and George St, further making commuting to and from the city easy. 

NAB’s new location at 395 Bourke Street in Melbourne will open later this year and sit in addition to the bank’s 700 Bourke Street location as the key workplaces for Melbourne-based employees. 

Key points on NAB Place Sydney: 

• Designed by Make and Architectus with interiors by Woods Bagot.   
• NAB has signed a 12-year lease for 32,000m² of space at the Premium grade complex, developed by Brookfield Properties.   
• High density wifi will enable easy connection to digital tools and collaboration spaces.   
• Ergonomic 34-inch curved desktop monitors and USB C enabled connections are standard features (one cord to connect to screens and charge at the same time)
• Easy-to-use Zoom video conferencing in all meeting rooms.   
• Overall, the Brookfield Place precinct offers 74,910 square metres of commercial space and 5,934 square metres of retail space including the restored Shell House.