Concept Masterplans

fjcurban prepares concept and Stage 1 development applications, and the urban design studies that support planning proposals. Building envelopes and design principles set the parameters for the detailed design that follows.

Our concept work includes 338 Pitt Street, the Stage 1 envelope for City Tattersalls Club and the Eagle Street Precinct in Brisbane.

187 Thomas Street, Haymarket

Urban design study for a planning proposal on the Haymarket site, with the Sydney LEP amendment made in September 2021. Our competition-winning design for Greaton is a 50-storey mixed-use tower.

Our Expertise

Building Envelopes

We define envelopes, setbacks and heights that test a site’s capacity while protecting neighbours, sunlight and views. Overshadowing, wind and heritage settings are tested in three dimensions before an envelope is fixed. A well-tested envelope gives certainty to owners and assessors, and leaves room for good architecture to follow.

Principles for Later Stages

Concept approvals set clear principles for the detailed design that follows, so the quality agreed at concept is carried into the building. At City Tattersalls Club, the Stage 1 concept envelope was approved by the Central Sydney Planning Committee in 2019, and fjc then oversaw heritage design for the Stage 2 scheme, approved in 2021.

Planning Proposals

Our urban design studies support rezonings and LEP amendments, showing how a site can accommodate change and what it can offer in return. At 187 Thomas Street and 55 Pitt Street, our studies supported planning proposals that led to Sydney LEP amendments made in 2021, working alongside each project’s planning consultant.

Competition to Approval

Competition-winning schemes are carried through to approval without losing their design intent. At 338 Pitt Street, a competition-winning masterplan for two slim residential towers, new laneways and public squares was approved by the City of Sydney, with final approval in 2021. Continuity of team protects what made each scheme win.

Projects

Project	Description
338 Pitt Street, Sydney	Competition-winning masterplan for two slim residential towers with new laneways and public squares. The concept and detailed applications were approved by the City of Sydney, with final approval in March 2021.
City Tattersalls Club, Sydney	Stage 1 concept envelope approved by the Central Sydney Planning Committee in November 2019. fjc then oversaw heritage design for the Stage 2 scheme, approved in 2021.
Eagle Street Precinct Masterplan, Brisbane	Masterplan and design for Waterfront Brisbane, with Arkhefield. Brisbane City Council approval was granted in December 2020, and Stage 1 has been under construction since 2023.
Cockle Bay Masterplan, Sydney	Concept building envelope for the Cockle Bay Wharf redevelopment, prepared with JBA and Right Angle Studio. Approved by the Independent Planning Commission in May 2019.
Harbourside, Sydney	Concept envelope and public domain framework for the Harbourside redevelopment at Darling Harbour. Approved by the Independent Planning Commission in June 2021.
187 Thomas Street, Sydney	Urban design study for a planning proposal to redevelop the Haymarket site. The Sydney LEP amendment was made in September 2021.
55 Pitt Street, Sydney	Urban design study for Mirvac supporting a planning proposal for a new tower near Circular Quay. The Sydney LEP amendment was made in October 2021.
56 Pitt Street, Sydney	Urban design report for the planning proposal for 56-60 Pitt Street and 3 Spring Street. Endorsed by the Central Sydney Planning Committee in June 2025 and now at finalisation.

For further information, please enquire by email. You can also explore fjcurban and our selected urban projects.