UrbanGrowth NSW and Mirvac Group (‘Mirvac’) today marked a significant milestone in the development of Sydney’s $8 billion Green Square Town Centre with a traditional Topping Out ceremony that dates back centuries.

The event, attended by Planning Minister, Rob Stokes, UrbanGrowth NSW Chief Executive, David Pitchford and Mirvac’s Head of Residential, John Carfi, was celebrated by lifting a live tree by crane onto the newly constructed rooftop of the Ebsworth apartment building.

Ebsworth is the first UrbanGrowth NSW/Mirvac building to have its main structure completed at the site.

Mr Pitchford said the topping out represents a substantial milestone for Green Square Town Centre and UrbanGrowth NSW as the landowner.

“Today’s topping out of the first building by UrbanGrowth NSW and Mirvac at Green Square Town Centre is the culmination of significant planning, remediation, land consolidation and community consultation that is driving urban transformation and increasing the supply of housing and jobs for a growing Sydney,” Mr Pitchford said.

“We are creating a world-class urban centre that will become a vibrant community space and a great place to live and work.”

Ebsworth comprises one, two and three bedroom apartments, built above ground floor artisan style retailers. All 174 apartments in the building sold out in one weekend in November 2014 reflecting buyer commitment in the vision for future world class amenity at Green Square.

The building is on schedule to be completed in early 2017.

“As the first UrbanGrowth NSW and Mirvac building at Green Square Town Centre to reach this construction milestone, Ebsworth is on track to have the first residents living at Green Square in early 2017, an exciting next step for the entire site,” said Mr Carfi.

“The Topping Out ceremony acknowledges the contribution to this great project by all parties involved and sees the first in a new breed of modern style apartment buildings for Sydney.

“Ebsworth is an exemplar of future inner-city living, offering superior design and a broad range of layouts; and located above a unique array of high quality retailers on Sydney’s newest high street, within a short walk to the Green Square transport hub.”

The 10-storey building is situated on the northern end of the 14ha Green Square Town Centre, which will feature world-class amenities such as a library, landscaped parks, playing fields and an aquatic centre adjacent to the Town Centre delivered by the City of Sydney.