‘Slab of concrete’ to be transformed into space for 460 artists, creatives

A new creative arts precinct in Marrickville for 460 artists and businesses has been approved for an almost-empty lot.

An artist impression of the newly-approved “Rich Street Hub” at 1 to 9 Rich St Marrickville.

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A $48 million “creative precinct” has been approved for Marrickville, which should be “done and opened” by 2021 at the latest.

Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel unanimously approved the development this morning, giving the “derelict” lot new life.

The Danias Holdings site at 1 to 9 Rich St, just behind the Factory Theatre, will be transformed into 13,000 sqm of creative space.

It would accommodate 460 artists, creatives, designers and start-ups and has been dubbed Australia’s largest creative hub.

An artist impression of part of the newly-approved creative precinct at 1 to 9 Rich St Marrickville.

SECPP Chair Carl Scully said he found the original building “ugly” but the recent modifications made to the design had “managed to satisfy the Architectural Excellence Panel”.

The SECPP approved stage one of the development in April and held-off their decision for stage two, citing the “design quality” and appearance of the 5-storey building.

“Thanks for persevering,” Mr Scully said upon approval.

Stage one of the development includes the construction of two new buildings, a three-storey “North Hub” and a four-storey “South Hub”.

An artist impression of office spaces inside the “Rich Street Hub” at 1 to 9 Rich St Marrickville.

On ground-level, space is allocated for food and drink premises and studio spaces, with offices on the upper level.

The second stage is the construction of the five-storey building on the corner of Victoria Rd and Rich St, with a roof terrace at level six.

A 2000sqm open space with a central lawn will be open for public use.

“It’s a derelict site at the moment. It’s almost completely empty,” Danias’ planning consultant Sean Macken said.

Planning consultant Sean Macken poses for a photo at the corner of Rich Street and Victoria Road, Marrickville. Picture: Danny Aarons

“There’s one small building, a large slab of concrete, (and) some buses stored there.

“In a few years it’ll be full of music studios and office spaces for emerging industry.”

He also said the number of people working at the site will increase from about 11 to 460.

“We think it’ll fit in with what goes on around it, including the Factory Theatre,” he said.

The Factory Theatre will also the creative precinct when it opens.

Part of the almost-empty lot at 1 to 9 Rich St, Marrickville, which will be transformed into a creative hub. Picture: Google images

“It’s targeted to those attracted to the grittier nature of the neighbourhood but don’t want to be sitting in a tin warehouse. We know people want an affordable but nice environment in which to do their creative work … it’s something the community said they wanted.”

Danias Group CEO Angelo Angelopoulos said the purpose-built space would bring the “Brooklyn experience to Marrickville”.

“Marrickville has long been the home for the creative industries,” he said.

“Rich Street Precinct has been designed to meet the needs of local artists and creative industries … The place will be affordable, allowing artists, creatives and emerging industries a way to get their foot in the door.”

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