Urban Core

What Urban Core does

Urban Core is an Australian commercial construction company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Surry Hills, NSW, with regional offices in South Melbourne (VIC) and Brisbane City (QLD) operated through three state-based proprietary limited entities. The company delivers two core service lines: fitout and refurbishment of existing commercial, hospitality, retail, government, and education spaces; and ground-up new builds for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Notable technical capabilities include heritage building refurbishment, defense-grade construction to AS2201.2 Grade A1 accreditation, PassivHaus-certified residential builds, and live-environment hospitality fitouts. Urban Core was the first builder in Australia to commercially deploy the Chem Link E-Curb penetration seal waterproofing system.

The company serves enterprise and government clients through direct project engagement, competitive tendering, and design-and-construct contracts. Its customer base spans hospitality groups (Sydney Restaurant Group, Coombes Property Group, EVT, Crown Resorts, Love Tilly Group), major retailers (Apple, Luxottica, Woolworths), government agencies (NSW Department of Communities and Justice, French Consulate), industrial/security operators (Chubb), and education institutions (TAFE NSW, Loreto Normanhurst). Multi-site rollout capability is evidenced by 20+ Luxottica store projects across NSW, VIC, and ACT and five-store Woolworths refurbishments. Pricing is project-specific with no standardized tiers, and revenue is generated through fixed-price contracts and design-and-construct arrangements.

Urban Core differentiates on people and culture: it reached a 50/50 gender-balanced workforce in 2024, positioning as one of the first in the Australian construction field to achieve parity, and has launched the NexGen initiative targeting workforce development. Marketing is predominantly organic, relying on LinkedIn, a project portfolio website, news content, and trade partner events rather than paid advertising. Leadership is founder-led by Managing Director Dominique Gill, supported by a national management team including a National Operations Manager, state managers, and functional heads across HSEQ, People & Culture, and Pre-Construction.

Name

Urban Core

Legal name

Urban Core Australia Pty Ltd

Website

https://urban-core.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Construction Services

NAICS

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Operative Builders (1531)

akta.pro primary industry

Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail & Mixed-Use Commercial Construction (IMAFACAB), Government & Civic Building Construction (Courthouses, City Halls, Public Safety) (IMAFACAF)

Keywords

• Commercial construction services
• Fitout and refurbishment
• Heritage building restoration
• Hospitality fitout construction
• Defense-grade construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Surry Hills

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Construction Services: General construction services including fitout and refurbishment, new builds, and project management for commercial, hospitality, retail, industrial, and government projects. Revenue is generated through fixed-price contracts and design-and-construct arrangements with clients across multiple sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Urban Core is a commercial construction firm that delivers interior fitout and refurbishment of existing buildings (offices, hospitality venues, retail stores, government and educational facilities) as well as ground-up new builds for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Projects are executed as fixed-price construction contracts or design-and-construct arrangements across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and regional Australia, with specialization in heritage-restricted buildings, live-environment renovations, multi-site brand rollouts, and defense-grade facilities.

Product overview

Urban Core is a construction company offering two primary service lines: Fitout and Refurbishment (renovating existing spaces including commercial offices, hospitality venues, retail stores, and government facilities) and New Build (ground-up construction for residential and commercial projects). Their project portfolio spans multiple Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) across industries including hospitality, workplace, retail, government, education, industrial, and residential. Notable projects include heritage refurbishments like The Nielsen, commercial fitouts like CITIC House and Crown Sydney, and new builds such as the PassivHaus-certified Weetawaa House and the Manly coastal development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fitout and Refurbishment Interior fitouts and refurbishment of existing commercial spaces, hospitality venues, retail environments, government facilities, and educational buildings, including renovation while maintaining live operations.
• New Build Ground-up construction for residential and commercial projects including coastal apartments, luxury villas, tech facilities, offices, retail environments, and defense-grade industrial facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Heritage preservation achieved at The Nielsen with three buildings over 100 years old successfully refurbished while maintaining heritage fabric
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• BJB ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm responsible for design of The Nielsen project, working across Nielsen Park Kiosk, Halbert Pavilion, and Shark Beach Kiosk heritage refurbishment. Collaboration on heritage-sensitive design solutions.
• Larissa Leigh InteriorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design firm led by Larissa Orso, collaborating on The Nielsen kiosk transformation. Created charming retreat design connecting throughout the space.
• Stream Line JoinerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted joinery partner delivering custom joinery for multiple projects including The Nielsen and 477 Pitt Street cafe. Collaboration on curved stonework and custom feature elements.
• Sydney Restaurant GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and repeat partner for The Nielsen project - three heritage buildings with over 100 years of history requiring specialized heritage refurbishment approach.
• CIA DesignscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm for CITIC House 99 King Street Melbourne and 99 King Street projects, collaborating on speculative suites and end-of-trip facilities with innovative design solutions.
• Dowse ProjectsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management partner for CITIC House and 99 King Street Melbourne projects, providing project management services alongside Urban Core's construction delivery.
• Coombes Property GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepeat client partner across multiple projects including Humphrey's Hotel, Swing Factory Terrey Hills, and other hospitality venues. Design and construct delivery relationship.
• Nutbrook EngineeringmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for 484 St Kilda Road and Veriu Group projects, providing technical expertise on commercial fitout and refurbishment projects.
• ISPTmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty owner/manager partner for 477 Pitt Street cafe project, working with Urban Core on commercial tower lobby transformations.
• JLLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor property services partner across multiple projects including Darling Park Tower 2, Level 16 Clarence Street, and Liberty Place. Repeat engagement on commercial office projects.
• Schindler Lifts AustraliamajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Darling Park Tower 2 escalator replacement project, providing innovative two-piece escalator solutions instead of conventional one-piece systems.
• Love Tilly GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepeat hospitality client partner for Fabbrica, Palazzo Salato, and other restaurant projects. Initial collaboration on Fabbrica pasta kitchen established foundation for ongoing relationship.
• Melissa CollisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior designer for Humphrey's Hotel & Hatch Restaurant, delivering luxury design with imported marble, gold detailing, custom joinery, and Gucci wallpaper.
• WaterproofingIntegritymajorTechnology or IntegrationIntroduced Chem Link E-Curb penetration seal system to Urban Core, enabling innovative waterproofing approach at T1 International Airport.
• JMB Waterproofing SolutionsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWaterproofing contractor trained on E-Curb system by SOPREMA for 600m² of remedial waterproofing works at T1 International Airport.
• Marcellino Sain ArchitectsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm for Lylo Rooftop project in Fortitude Valley, designing dynamic social hub with retractable roof.
• Squillace ArchitectsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for 96 North Steyne Manly project, coastal development transforming 1990s complex into 20 luxury apartments with 6 penthouses.
• Spectrum Property & ProjectsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management partner for State Super and Level 16 projects, providing client-side project management alongside Urban Core delivery.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lendlease: Lendlease is a global Australian-headquartered construction and development giant with substantial commercial fitout, refurbishment, and government capability - a broad incumbent against which Urban Core competes on mid-sized, specialist projects.
• Multiplex: Multiplex is a major international construction contractor with a large Australian commercial fitout and new build portfolio - a broad incumbent peer operating across many of the same sectors as Urban Core but at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Built. Built. is a leading Australian commercial construction contractor delivering complex fitout, refurbishment, and new build projects across corporate, hospitality, retail, and government sectors - directly comparable to Urban Core's service mix and enterprise/government client profile in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
• FDC Construction: FDC Construction is a mid-sized Australian builder focused on commercial fitout, refurbishment, and new build across Sydney and Melbourne - directly comparable in service offering, mid-market scale, and enterprise client base.
• SHAPE Australia: SHAPE Australia is a specialist commercial fitout and refurbishment contractor focused on workplace, retail, and hospitality projects in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane - a direct specialist peer with similar geographic and vertical footprint to Urban Core.
• A.W. Edwards: A.W. Edwards is a long-established Australian commercial builder specialising in heritage, hospitality, education, and government projects - closely aligned with Urban Core's heritage refurbishment expertise and government sector work.
• Richard Crookes Constructions: Richard Crookes Constructions is a mid-tier NSW-based commercial builder delivering fitout, refurbishment, and new build for government, education, and commercial clients - comparable in size and sector mix to Urban Core.
• Accuraco: Accuraco is a Sydney-based commercial fitout and refurbishment specialist featured as an Urban Core partner on its website - closely comparable boutique-scale peer in office fitout, hospitality, and retail delivery.
• Roberts Pizzarotti: Roberts Pizzarotti is a mid-tier Australian commercial builder specialising in office fitouts, hospitality, retail, and education projects across NSW and QLD - a closely matching peer in scale, geography, and sector mix to Urban Core.
• Ganellen: Ganellen is a Sydney-headquartered commercial construction firm delivering fitout, refurbishment, and new build for corporate, hospitality, and government clients - a strong scale and capability peer to Urban Core in the NSW market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urban-core
• Facebookfacebook.com/urbancore.australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urban Core