Modernizing Sydney
Across the globe our teams of experts are using cutting-edge solutions to modernize and rejuvenate buildings. Sydney, on the east coast of Australia, provides a great showcase of how our modernizations breathe new life into projects of all kinds.
Sydney is a city famed for its beaches, bridges, and Opera House, and consistently ranks highly on livability ratings. It’s no surprise, then, that more and more people are choosing to call it home. Over the past 25 years, the city’s population has consistently grown year on year – up from around 4.1 million in 2000 to approximately 5.2 million in 2025.
As cities grow, so does the need for infrastructure and services that can keep up with the demand. Policymakers have recognized the need for strategic planning, and a key aspect to this is modernizing buildings – ensuring they continue to meet the growing and changing needs of their communities.
"The range of modernization projects across Sydney is really quite special," says Stefano Montresor, our Managing Director of Schindler Lifts Australia. "It’s a great testament to our teams here and the adaptability they have in dealing with such a variety of requests."
All shapes and sizes
One of the most striking additions to the city’s skyline in recent years has been the award-winning Quay Quarter Tower. The building, originally known as the AMP Centre, has in fact stood in place since 1976. But in 2018, work started to completely overhaul it.
Its transformation has been nothing short of stunning. When it reopened in 2022, from the outside, it looked like a totally different building – and inside it’s just as impressive. The rejuvenated building retains 65% of the original tower’s structure, and its new design and layout has doubled its floor space.
Our innovative vertical mobility solutions – including Schindler PORT and double-deck elevators – played a key role in maximizing space and they’ve also more than doubled the number of passengers that can be transported through the building. Quay Quarter Tower can now accommodate up to 10,000 people a day, compared to the original building that catered for 4,500 people a day.
Recently our team in Sydney completed a full modernization of three circular elevators at the Sydney Masonic Centre (SMC). With round elevators and shafts, every part of the installation had special requirements, and every piece of equipment had to be custom-made. This meant that the team had to be incredibly precise in their measurements.
The interiors of the elevators were also totally redesigned to meet the customer’s specific requests. The elevators were custom-fitted with 12 panels, curved railings, and LED lights – creating a welcoming atmosphere in keeping with the rest of the venue.
"The Schindler team did a great job replacing the elevators," says Paul Davison, General Manager at the SMC. "There was minimal impact on our events as they worked around our schedule, and the new interior designs are fantastic. We're extremely happy with the outcome."
A method that works
All over the city, our modernizations are helping to breathe new life into older buildings – making traveling through them smoother and more sustainable.
With our tiered modernization approach – Schindler ReStore, Schindler ReNew, Schindler RePlace – buildings at every stage of their life cycle can benefit.
"We modernized 26 elevators at 680 George Street, by installing a Schindler PORT overlay," explains Brett Elliott, one of our Modernization Project Managers in Sydney. "For now, the original elevators are still in place, but powered by Schindler PORT, we’ve been able to reduce waiting times and get them running more efficiently." The elevators in question were originally from a competitor, showing that our modernizations can improve any model.
Just around the corner, at 201 Elizabeth Street, we combined both Schindler ReNew and Schindler RePlace in one project. "We did a full replacement of 11 double-deck elevators (Schindler RePlace), while upgrading the mechanical aspects (Schindler ReNew), including new machines for the two service elevators," says Jean-Baptiste Beaufort, also a Modernization Project Manager in New South Wales.
In total, our team modernized 16 elevators in the building. "The split lobby made working on the double-deckers an interesting challenge, with a lot of running between the levels, but we’re really pleased with the end result," says Jean-Baptiste. In addition to increasing the speed of the double-decks, the team also improved the sound proofing of the cars. "Previously you could hear the machinery at work and people talking in the car below, but now the ride is much quieter and smoother," adds Jean-Baptiste.
Business as usual: minimizing disruption
While the main aim of our modernizations is to provide enhanced mobility solutions that are more energy efficient and deliver an excellent passenger experience, the modernization process itself is also critical to a project’s success.
"One of the biggest differences between a modernization and a new installation is that during a modernization project the building is still in use," explains Brett. "We have to make sure the tenants can continue their daily work, without our work causing any disruptions."
Chifley North, an icon in the Sydney skyline, standing 244 meters tall with 42 levels of premium office space across 58,750 sqm, is among Sydney’s finest workplaces. So, when the time came to modernize their elevators, our team had to ensure minimal disruption to day-to-day operations and experience.
"The best way to do this is to start with a Schindler PORT Overlay," says Brett. This initial step has an immediate impact on efficiency and reduces waiting times even before any of the elevators have been worked on. "We then modernize the elevators one at a time, so that there’s only ever one out of service at a time."
The heritage-listed Queen Victoria Building (QVB), built in 1898, showcases how modernization extends beyond elevators. As part of the building’s ongoing evolution, our team recently upgraded four escalators.
To minimize the level of disruption and inconvenience for visitors, our team used our unique Schindler INTRUSS® solution: everything is removed from the existing escalator except its original truss. A brand-new Schindler escalator is then fitted into this truss – reducing downtime, and allowing the escalator to get back to service sooner.
Additionally, by providing technology upgrades – such as more efficient drive systems and intelligent power management software – modernized escalators require less power to run, helping to lower energy consumption and making them more environmentally friendly.
Exceptional experiences
However, our modernizations can still go a step further. At Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, a glamorous five-star hotel next door to Chifley North, our team modernized seven elevators and included touch screens and motion sensor controls to match the hotel’s sleek overall design.
"We customized the layout of the touch screens to the client’s requirements," says Brett. With no physical buttons, they have easy on-site access control. "If the hotel wants to restrict access to a floor, they can do so very easily by removing the option from the screen." The screens are also used to provide updates on events or deals at the hotel.
Back in our Sydney office, Effie Fassas, our Head of Modernization Sales in Australia sums up the importance of these projects.
"They’re all great examples of how our modernizations help improve the overall passenger experience," she explains. "We’re constantly working with customers to help move things to the next level. It’s one more reason why Sydney is such a great place to live."