There is a rich history to 18 Wally’s Walk. Depending on how long you have been at Macquarie, you might have known it as C7A, the University Library or MUSE. It was one of the original buildings when students first entered the grounds in 1967.

From those early beginnings it served as the University Library continuously until 2011 when the new Library was opened. After a period lying dormant it was reimagined with an experimental refit on the lower ground and ground levels and found new life as a hub for student administration and activities.

Fast forward to the present, and it’s time for this building to help meet the needs that align with both the Operating Plan and Professional Services Transformation (PST). The building – currently known as 18 Wally’s Walk – is set to become the central administration hub for the University, housing Finance, Group Risk, Procurement, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Business Intelligence and Reporting, Global Engagement and Reputation, Dean of Students Office, Campus Life, Professional Services Transformation and Philanthropy.

The new space will bring professional services into the heart of campus, encouraging collaboration and connection. While most teams will be moving in at the end of this month, this professional and modern work environment is already being enjoyed by a few lucky teams.

The Sport Development team, along with other teams in Campus Life, moved to the new offices in March and report that their new home is filled with light and has great views of campus from all sides

The team didn’t have far to move, relocating down one level from the same building, but were previously based in the Sport and Aquatic Centre on the western side of campus until 2019.

“We manage the student-facing sport programs, so being closer to the middle of campus is a huge advantage for our team,” says University Sport Manager, Brett Morley.

“It also makes it easier to connect with different areas of the University,” Brett adds.

Grace Ross-Hubble, who has recently joined the team at Macquarie, is delighted with how it compares to previous workplaces outside Macquarie.

“As someone who has spent the last nine years working in a windowless gym, I love the natural light and all the greenery around the office,” says Grace.

Fellow new starter, James Tucker, says it has been great to come and settle into a modern office.

“There are lots of collaborative meeting areas which we look forward to using,” says James.

“We’re also excited to replace the sound of construction with the sounds of a busy office and meeting more teams and people as they move in.”

For those interested in the ‘behind the scenes’ elements, the refurbishment includes an upgrade to air conditioning, roof membrane and new elevators, bringing it up to 5-star Green Star certification.

It’s the first time in many years that the building looks different from the outside. The fit-out has included an external upgrade as well with sunshades and LED lighting on the façade. The western terrace is being reimagined with the relocation of Wally’s Walk Coffee Cart which will become Wally’s Toasties and Coffee and be open in time for Session 2.

Planning has also commenced to renovate the ground floor of the building to be the new Service Connect, an information hub for all students.

Once the building is fully operational there will be no shortage of reasons to come to visit your colleagues in their new home and see the building for yourself. There are breakout spaces and quiet pods on each floor – so plenty of room to meet up. There will also be several publicly bookable rooms on Level 1, and with the whole building adjacent to the Central Courtyard there is little more reason to visit.

Pictured above: Liz Yong, James Tucker, Brett Morley and Grace Ross-Hubble from the Sport Development team in Campus Life enjoying the new office spaces on Level 1 at 18 Wally’s Walk.

Pictured below: A sneak peek at some of the office facilities in the revitalised building.