Harbourside, Darling Harbour: Mirvac reveals redevelopment plan

Darling Harbour would be changed forever if controversial plans by Mirvac to demolish the Harbourside shopping centre and replace it with a massive high-rise tower and marketplace is approved. SEE THE VISION HERE

An overview of updated plans for Habourside, Darling Harbour.

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The first images of a multimillion-dollar plan to transform the Harbourside shopping precinct in Darling Harbour have been revealed — including a vision for a massive observation deck, 250-seat outdoor cinema and marketplace with floating walkways.

The massive state significant development by Mirvac earmarks the demolition of the existing Harbourside Shopping Centre, obsolete monorail infrastructure and pedestrian links for a new high-rise residential apartment tower, public domain, upgrades to Pyrmont Bridge and new shopping centre.

A podium of shops and restaurants has been planned to replace the current shopping centre.

A planner representing Mirvac in the massive undertaking said a total of 87,000sq m of floorspace would be provided in the redevelopment, comprising of non-residential and residential space, and has undertaken a range of revisions to the plans first submitted in 2015.

“Mirvac and the project team’s vision is to create a new vibrant destination, nestled

Among other great places and a key component of the Darling Harbour precinct,” the planner said.

“The concept proposal includes the upgrade of the public domain area to the east of the Harbourside building adjacent to Cockle Bay.

Dated: The Harbourside Shopping Centre is in desperate need of a facelift.

“A key urban element proposed in the indicative public domain design are new event stairs and a public domain space to be known as Palm Cove — these new stairs will connect with the Bunn St pedestrian link and provide a generous main entry to the upper retail levels.”

The original proposal, released in 2016, was met with a series of objections from community groups, the Sydney Harbour Association and Sydney Council — with planners claiming the proposal “clearly puts private use before public good”.

An outdoor cinema and marketplace is included in the plans.

At the time, a council planner said the proposal would result in “a substantial and long term negative impact on the public domain”.

“While the demolition of the tired and out of date Harbourside Shopping Centre represents an opportunity for the regeneration of the retail structure and its replacement with one which will have a more engaging architectural presentation, an increased commercial functionality and better east-west pedestrian connections,” the council representative said.

“(However) it is considered that the proposed construction of a 40 storey residential tower at the northern end of the podium is a significant issue and concern.”

Following concerns raised by council in the original proposal, Mirvac made a series of amendments to the plans in February 2020, which included a reduction of the total number of apartments from 364 to 357, increased the number of parking spaces to 306 and relocated the tower to the centre of the site.

A massive green observation deck is included in plans to overlook Pyrmont Bridge.

Mirvac said the proposal also included a 12.5m reduction in the height of the tower.

“The amended Concept Proposal will provide highly used, connected, permeable and activated space that is well connected with city streets, Pyrmont Bridge and the waterfront through direct pedestrian connections,” the Mirvac planner said.

The public will have its chance to make submissions to the plans for the redevelopment.