Ascent on Bourke – the first multi-storey warehouse built by developer Charter Hall – addresses the increasing demand for efficient and strategically located industrial spaces in urban areas, with more than 30,000 square metres of vertical warehousing across three levels.
Built by FDC Construction, the innovative facility features high-clearance warehouse spaces with nine-metre floor-to-floor heights and structural capacity to support high racking loads of up to six tonnes.
It can also accommodate semi and B-double truck arrangements and includes 5,000 square metres of premium office facilities.
Situated at the intersection of Gardeners and Bourke roads, near Sydney’s CBD and major transport hubs such as the M8 motorway, Sydney Airport, and Port Botany, Ascent on Bourke offers unparalleled connectivity for last-mile delivery solutions.
Richard Stacker, Industrial & Logistics Chief Executive Officer at Charter Hall, said the demand for efficient and purposefully located warehousing had never been greater.
He added: “The completion of our first multi-level warehouse, Ascent on Bourke, marks a shift in the logistics sector by offering new levels of efficiency and space optimisation in highly land-constrained markets.
“In this fast-paced economy, where long delivery times frustrate customers and cost businesses, the proximity to key urban centres accelerates speed to market, helping our tenant customers stay ahead, while also delivering strong returns for investors.”
Due to site constraints, builder FDC faced several engineering challenges, requiring it to cantilever levels one and two over the ground floor to ensure structural stability.
Customised 1,200-millimetre-deep structural beams were designed to pass through the columns to achieve full continuity, addressing strength requirements, floor deflections, and façade loads.
The project also required meticulous planning to minimise disruptions to nearby traffic corridors and residential areas.
Along with the innovative cantilevered structure, meticulous planning was required to minimise disruptions, while a 300-kilowatt solar installation, rainwater harvesting, and finishes low in volatile organic compounds put the building on track to achieve its targeted 5-Star Green Star certification.
The forward-looking facility was designed for seamless integration with robotics and AI-driven warehouse management, ensuring tenants can adapt, scale, and future-proof their operations.
FDC Managing Director Russell Grady said the construction team was proud to have worked alongside its 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.
Grady said: “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.”
The facility maximises the site’s footprint with its vertically-integrated design, exploiting the local height restrictions while preserving operational efficiency and vehicular circulation.
Nettletontribe Architects – the studio behind the design – explained that by stacking large-span high-volume functions, the architecture not only elevated the industrial typology but also met the rigorous technical requirements of a modern warehousing facility’s floor slab, including high flatness and low vibration performance.
The studio said: “A key architectural challenge lay in resolving circulation within a constrained urban setting – this was addressed through a refined spatial strategy that separates truck, car, and pedestrian movement to enhance safety and operational clarity.
“The carefully orchestrated driveway and ramp systems contribute to a cohesive and efficient site layout, reinforcing both logistical performance and architectural intent.”
The studio added that the development was purpose-built to serve as the new headquarters for Schindler Lifts, seamlessly integrating their head office with warehouse, testing, and training facilities, and to function as a key hub for Coles’ home delivery operations, enabling the distribution of a significant portion of Sydney’s orders from a single, centralised facility.
Nettletontribe said: “The design thoughtfully fuses functional performance with architectural expression, capturing Schindler Lifts’ legacy within the context of Alexandria’s evolving industrial landscape.
“The façade is carefully articulated to break down the building’s scale, creating a rhythm that responds to the area’s layered urban character.”