Gateway Sydney: $80m dining precinct delivers 25 new cafes, bars and restaurants to Circular Quay

FORGET fighting off seagulls while you eat your Maccas. Eating out at Circular Quay just got a whole lot cooler, and there’s not a gull in sight.

FOR years, Circular Quay, one of Australia’s most visited destinations, has been slipping into the doldrums, with dining options limited to ageing fast food outlets and tourist-priced restaurants.

But the area’s renaissance is underway, thanks in part to the completion of Gateway Sydney, a new $80 million dining precinct that officially opened today.

Developed by the Dexus Property group, Gateway Sydney takes up an entire city block and includes 25 new eateries and underground parking.

The new Gateway dining precinct in Alfred St, Circular Quay.

The frontage, running between Pitt and Loftus streets, has opened up the streetscape with outdoor dining space, and the building is book-ended by two of Sydney’s oldest hotels, the Ship Inn and Paragon Hotel, both of which are being refurbished.

The first stage, a sprawling food hall, opened late last year and has proved a hit with the 31,000 workers from surrounding offices. Home to the cheap and cheerful, it includes well-known franchises as well as the first full-concept outposts for Four Frogs Creperie, Messina and Zumbo.

Sweet darling Zumbo at Gateway will be a definite crowd-pleaser. Picture: Kristin Campbell

But with the completion of the second and third levels, more casual dining and restaurants have opened including Neil Perry’s Burger Project, Chat Thai, Tokyo’s Laundry, and the award-winning Espresso Room.

On the third floor, laksa kings Jimmy’s Recipe have arrived, along with Hurricane’s Grill and Popina, the 120-seat Mediterranean-style restaurant and cocktail bar that is a collaboration between the crews from Salts Meats Cheese and Shuk cafe in Bondi.

Neil Perry’s Burger Project is among the casual dining options.

Popina restaurateurs Erez Beker and German Sanchez from Shuk, and Stefano de Blasi from Salt Meats Cheese.

The design, led by Woods Bagot Architects, is modern and sophisticated, with open kitchen and dining spaces that ensure the theatre of cooking is part of the experience.

DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund has also redeveloped the adjoining Jessie Street Gardens, in partnership with the City of Sydney.

Speaking at the opening today, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “The $80 million investment of Gateway Sydney has enabled a reworking of the important Jessie Street Gardens — named for the great feminist, international peace campaigner and campaigner for Aboriginal rights. I’m glad to see her remembered, and proud to officially launch this great new space.”

Circular Quay is set for significant revitalisation in coming years.

Circular Quay’s upgrade in coming years will include a new light rail station, residential and commercial redevelopment and a much-needed facelift for Circular Quay’s ferry wharves.

The NSW Government has sold the rights to the ground lease rental income at ­Darling Quarter for the next 30 years, in order to fund the $200 million wharf upgrade.