Client: News Corp Australia
Designer: Bates Smart
Client Project Manager: Colliers
Delivery Model: Design Completion & Construction
Location: Sydney, NSW
Duration: 28 weeks
Project Size: 3400m2
SHAPE partnered with Sky News Australia to deliver a new 3,400m² workplace and broadcast facility at 2 Holt Street, Surry Hills, bringing together high-performance studios and a modern, collaborative office environment under one roof. Spread across two levels, the project transformed Level 1 into a dynamic workplace featuring open-plan areas, executive offices, meeting rooms and specialist edit suites, while the Ground Floor became home to state-of-the-art broadcast studios, control rooms, make-up and wardrobe facilities, and upgraded amenities designed to support a 24/7 live media operation.
A key challenge was the staged relocation of Sky News Australia’ existing broadcast teams from Macquarie Park to the new Surry Hills headquarters, which SHAPE carefully planned and executed to maintain seamless broadcast continuity. Working hand-in-hand with Sky News Australia and News Corp Australia stakeholders, our team ensured that complex technical requirements, high-security protocols and operational sensitivities were managed without disruption to the live, 24/7 environment. SHAPE also managed the design and manufacture of new studio sets and large-scale LED screens for the new studio spaces. These were tightly designed to meet the clients display needs and flexibility for daily changing sets.
The result is a purpose-built facility that strengthens operational capability, enhances collaboration between broadcast and office teams, and positions the brand in a prime Sydney location. SHAPE’s proven experience in delivering projects within live, business-critical environments was instrumental in creating a smooth transition for Sky News Australia into its new home, where cutting-edge broadcast infrastructure and contemporary workplace design come together in one integrated space.
Director of Aston Consulting, AJ Turner; “The Sky News Australia project was one of the most technically challenging broadcast installations I have worked on in nearly 20 years in the industry. The project encompassed fully integrated broadcast studios, a complex main CAR/comms room, multiple auxiliary comms rooms, edit suites, broadcast workstations, control rooms, extensive display infrastructure, resilient power systems, and highly specialised mechanical services required to support the operational demands of Sky News Australia.
SHAPE navigated the complexities of the services infrastructure, program constraints, and budget pressures exceptionally well. Their proactive, solutions focused approach played a major role in the project’s success. The collaboration between the Aston, Batessmart and SHAPE team was outstanding. Nothing was ever too difficult, the SHAPE team handled issues quickly, calmly, and professionally, making the project genuinely enjoyable to work on.
The end result is a worldclass, aesthetically impressive broadcast facility that the entire team can be proud of. I would happily recommend SHAPE for future projects without hesitation”.
