FDC Construction & Fitout has today, announced the completion of Ascent on Bourke, Sydney’s leading multi-storey advanced warehousing project and office facility, for long time partner Charter Hall. Located at the intersection of Gardeners and Bourke Road, this groundbreaking facility redefines urban logistics by addressing the growing demand for efficient, sustainable and strategically  located industrial spaces amidst limited square footage. 

A pioneering development in Australia’s industrial landscape, Ascent on Bourke spans over 30,000 square meters across three levels, bringing vertical warehousing solutions to the heart of Sydney. It integrates high clearance warehouse space boasting 9-meter floor to floor, with the structural capacity to support high racking  loads of up to six tonnes and can accommodate semi and B-double truck arrangements. The site also offers 5,000 square metres of premium office facilities with Schindler Lifts Australia and Coles Group as first future  tenant customers. 

Strategically positioned near the CBD and major transport hubs including the M8 motorway, Sydney Airport, and Port Botany, this facility offers unparalleled connectivity for last-mile delivery solutions and provides  greater opportunity for retailers looking to meet the heightened demand of next-day delivery for Australian  customers.  

As a complex industrial project with numerous site constraints, innovative engineering solutions were a focus  for the FDC team. With existing in-ground services and the client brief to maximise space for future tenants by  building multiple levels to the full site boundary, FDC had to cantilever Level 1 and 2 of the facility over the  ground floor which required an exceptional level of engineering innovation, challenging design and fabrication  to ensure structural stability and overall robustness.  

Customised 1200mm deep structural beams were required to frame out the Level 1 and 2 cantilever, and due to the high 20kPa live load on Level 1 as well as the demand placed on the beams, this meant the team could  not use standard connections and instead solved this by designing the beams to pass through the columns  (with the columns fabricated around the beams later in the process) to achieve full continuity. Ultimately, this  highly engineered solution was necessary to deal with strength requirements, expected floor deflections and  heavy precast façade line loads. 

Due to the volume of structural steel and high level of specifications required, FDC were meticulous with  production of over 10,800 shop drawings for structural steel components. Every nut, washer and bolt, was  essential to ensure seamless integration with other building materials. This comprehensive detailing  facilitated precise coordination among various construction disciplines, minimising potential conflicts and  enhancing overall project efficiency. 

The proximity to major traffic corridors, residential and commercial zones also required meticulous planning  to minimise disruptions during the project’s build process. To address Ascent on Bourke’s footprint which  extended to all four property boundaries, resulting in no external staging zones as well as its high traffic location, FDC had to essentially erect the building like a donut and infilled the central  zone at the end as part of the final structural sequences.

The team also tasked a full-time Logistics Site Manager with orchestrating heavy vehicle movement onsite to ensure smooth site management and avoid  interruptions to Sydney’s arterial roadways and the neighbouring facilities.  

FDC Managing Director Russell Grady said, “Our FDC team is proud to have worked alongside our long-term  partner, Charter Hall to bring the Ascent on Bourke project to life, connecting Australian businesses with  access to warehousing facilities in a key metro area to meet evolving customer expectations. Sydney is ever expanding and as space continues to be a premium, FDC has been at the forefront of developing vertical  facilities to maximise operational capacity and efficient land use.”  

“Spearheading this project demanded innovative thinking, leading expertise and collaboration at every stage.  From engineering complex load-bearing structures, to incorporating cutting-edge technology for tenant  operations, we’re proud to have delivered a facility that sets new benchmarks for urban warehousing.” said Mr  Grady.  

The Ascent on Bourke development is targeting a 5-Star Green Star Design & As-Built certification from the  Green Building Council of Australia. Key sustainability features include: 

• 300kW solar installations to reduce energy consumption. 
• Rainwater harvesting systems and deep soil landscaping for water conservation.
• Low-VOC finishes to enhance indoor air quality. 
• Green travel amenities, such as bicycle parking and premium end-of-trip facilities