Winning design for Riverside Theatres at Parramatta unveiled

An eye-catching, river-inspired design for the $188m redevelopment of theatres will house Broadway and West End productions in Parramatta for the first time.

An artist's impression of the new Riverside Theatres at Parramatta.

Parramatta is set to attract productions from Broadway and the West End as part of the $188m redevelopment of the Riverside Theatres.

On Thursday COX Architecture’s indigenous and river-inspired, winning design for the development was announced after it was created along with 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio and Bangawarra.

The project will more than double the theatres’ capacity to 2780 seats and be completed in 2028.

The redevelopment is forecast to establish the 36-year-old venue as a world-class performing arts centre that will welcome more than 400,000 visitors a year.

Along with a 1500-seat lyric theatre, the venue includes a refurbished 760-seat Riverside Playhouse theatre, a new 420-seat black-box drama theatre, an 80-seat digital studio and cinema, and public spaces.

The 1500-seat lyric theatre.

Riverside Theatres director Craig McMaster said the new theatres would be a cultural anchor for the community.

“Our redevelopment’s incredible new design and facilities will open the door to bringing the best in international and Australian performances directly to audiences from Parramatta and across NSW,” he said.

The new Riverside Theatres at Parramatta will reflect the waterway.

“Our project is not just about creating an iconic new building; it’s about creating a true centre for the performing arts in western Sydney, a space where everyone feels welcomed and inspired and which embodies our commitment to cultural inclusion and creative excellence.”

Parramatta Lord Mayor Pierre Esber said the Riverside redevelopment was a monumental step

in Parramatta’s journey to become a global city.

“Once complete, Riverside Theatres will be a world-class performing arts centre featuring state-of-the-art facilities and enhanced public spaces that will double its capacity and supercharge the city’s night-time and visitor economies,’’ he said.

“Our community will soon have access to a state-of-the-art facility that will attract major Australian works and the best of Broadway and the West End shows to Parramatta for the first time.’’

The redeveloped venue is expected to draw more than 400,000 patrons a year.

The existing Riverside Theatres at Church St, Parramatta.

Parramatta comedian Rob Shehadie gave the “amazing” redeveloped theatres a tick of approval and said “he hoped to perform there one say”.

He welcomed the Broadway shows but called for the genres of entertainment to expand and pull in acts similar to the shows the Enmore and State theatres hosted.

Funnyman Rob Shehadie. Picture: Monique Harmer

“Let’s open up Parra City for everyone to come and enjoy from all around Sydney,’’ he said.

“Let’s give them all types of shows. From comedy, to theatre plays, to rap artists and rock stars.

“Filling the theatre up every night will bring vibrancy to Parramatta’s food and entertainment hub.’’

A jury unanimously selected the winning design from a field of five final entries by internationally acclaimed design teams.

The team crafted the reimagined Riverside Theatres to global best-practice standards, “with a strong focus on accessibility and artistic flexibility”.

COX Architecture design director Joe Agius said the natural beauty of the river inspired the venue’s new look with twists to reflect the waterway.

The council and state government’s western Sydney infrastructure grants will fund the project.

Construction will start in late 2025 with doors to the performing arts facility due to open in 2028.