Calls for Metro West stations including Parramatta to be beautifully designed

They don’t have to be the “Sistine Chapel” but business and civic leaders are urging the government against treating Metro West stations as the ugly cousins of the architecturally award-winning CBD hubs.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has vowed a no-frills approach for the Metro West stations but business and civic leaders are urging the government to deliver hubs that don’t skimp on aesthetics and precincts which could be home to western Sydney’s own “Times Square”.

In March it was revealed the attractive CBD stations, including Victoria Cross and Barangaroo cost an average of $700m each, prompting the premier to eschew function and form over looks for the Metro West stations, which include Parramatta, Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park.

However, western Sydney leaders refuse to settle just for plain stations and insist buildings with striking designs can be achieved without spending too much.

“We’re bringing the Metro to Parramatta. Now let’s bring the fun,’’ Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said.

“We’re encouraging the NSW Government to work within its budget, but still seize the chance to deliver stations that are beautiful and lasting.’’

A concept image of how Parramatta Metro station could look.

Mr Borger envisaged the Parramatta Metro precinct as a site buzzing day and night.

“Think multicultural sweet shops, small bars, art galleries and immersive video spilling onto laneways and streets,’’ he said.

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger, Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter and Committee for Sydney chief executive Eamon Waterford.

“Let’s build western Sydney’s own Times Square.”

Committee for Sydney chief executive Eamon Waterford said a public competition could be run to create artworks that were spectacular as the city stations, which earned the 2025 NSW Architecture Medallion.

“Great design doesn’t require marble, sandstone or trying to mimic the Sistine Chapel,’’ he said.

“Iconic interiors can be achieved – with less cost – through local community input, creative design choices, artworks and quality finishings. Budget discipline matters, but so does design ambition for western Sydney.’’

An aerial view of the Parramatta CBD including the future metro station.

In April, the Committee for Sydney and Business Western Sydney convened 39 experts in architecture, engineering, urban planning, infrastructure finance and public art who agreed stations to “fall in love with” were achievable with tighter technical specifications and creative thinking.

The business chamber, along with the Committee for Sydney and Parramatta Council, has outlined its vision in Beauty and Budget: Ensuring Metro West Delivers Great Stations for Sydney.

Key report recommendations include prioritising ambitious above-ground stations in Parramatta, Olympic Park and Pyrmont, building compact stations, and activating station interiors and plazas with food, retail and cultural pop-ups.

The report noted art typically represented “a tiny fraction of overall project costs”, despite sometimes being seen as a luxury.

“The experience of Sydney Metro has been that trusting the community with quality infrastructure has led to greater respect for the space, deterring vandalism and encouraging civic pride,’’ the report read.

Originally published as Calls for Metro West stations including Parramatta to be beautifully designed