Welcome to the Sydney of the future: White Bay, Central Tech Precinct, Darling Harbour, Fish Markets

Change is afoot in the Harbour City as major redevelopments promise to solidify its position as a world-class travel destination.

Renders of the Harbourside Shopping Centre in Darling Harbour.

In a bid to cement the Harbour City as a world-class travel destination and place to live, a patchwork of waterfront and inner-city developments are well underway to transform Sydney as we know it.

“We’re breathing life into Sydney’s harbour foreshore,” says Minister for Cities Rob Stokes, who promises the new projects will make key waterfront locations “greener, accessible and more beautiful”.

In addition to recently unveiled projects like the $344 million Sydney Modern Project and renewal of the Sydney Opera House ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2023, major changes to the likes of Darling Harbour, Central Station, Rozelle and Sydney’s beloved Fish Markets are all in progress.

So what’s in store for Australia’s glistening Harbour City? Here’s what you can expect.

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A new tech precinct aims to become Sydney’s Silicon Valley

A $3 billion project to create Sydney’s version of Silicon Valley will see six inner-city suburbs – Haymarket, Surry Hills, Ultimo, Redfern, Chippendale and Eveleigh – transformed into the Tech Central precinct. At its core is the Central Place Sydney project, a sprawling development that includes two office towers, 10-story block called the Connector and public space dubbed the Pavilion. Located adjacent to Central Station and technology giant Atlassian’s 40-storey office, it is designed to attract workers, visitors and students at the nearby universities.

Under the plan, landscaped spaces, co-working areas and a retail plaza will revitalise the area. Buildings will boast garden terraces and commercial levels that link to adjacent high-rises to create a flowing campus-style floor plan.

Early hospitality enhancements to the area include the recent opening of Ace Hotel Sydney in inner-city Surry Hills, the first Ace property to open in Australia, along with dining options like Gildas, a Spanish-inspired wine bar owned and run by chef Lennox Hastie.

The future tech precinct will be within walking distance to the Central Park Mall between the heritage buildings of the old Kent Street Brewery and neighbouring Chippendale, where cultural destinations like Judith Neilson’s renowned White Rabbit Gallery and Spice Alley are located.

Opening: 2027

From tired to top-tier travel hub

The extensive $2 billion redevelopment of Darling Harbour will overhaul the tired retail precinct and western harbourfront area. Originally built in the 1980s, the Harbourside Shopping Centre has been redesigned by Oslo-based Snøhetta and Hassell Studio to create a five-storey multi-use space which will include retail and commercial areas and an entertainment quarter.

Under the master plan, the updated precinct will boast 10,000 square metres of redeveloped public domain, including a waterfront garden and a bridge to connect with the surrounding neighbourhoods of Pyrmont and Haymarket. There will also be a 42-storey residential tower with roughly 300 luxury homes.

The updated retail space will neighbour the W Sydney hotel, the brand’s largest hotel in the world, due to open to guests in October 2023. With 585 rooms in total, the $1 billion development is expected to convert the once-thriving destination into the ultimate spot for travellers to stay, relax and explore the city. It will also include entertainment facilities like a new IMAX theatre.

Opening: Undisclosed.

White Bay’s long awaited makeover

Conservation works are already underway at the White Bay Power Station located in Rozelle in the city’s inner-west, where the heritage-listed power station will become the focal point for one of Sydney’s most anticipated urban renewal projects.

The area will become an integral part of the state’s social infrastructure with plans to develop a multipurpose community hub with parkland, a waterfront promenade, new residential spaces, including affordable housing, offices, shops, cafes, restaurants and a library.

Visitors will be able to hop on the Sydney Metro West connecting to existing stations at Parramatta, Olympic Park and Westmead, as well as new stops from Rozelle, Balmain and Blackwattle Bay, thanks to a new Metro line and station that will be constructed on the waterfront promenade.

Nearby, Rozelle Parklands will transform unused former industrial land into 10 hectares of gardens, wetlands and sporting facilities.

Opening: Rozelle Parklands is due to open at the end of 2023, while the White Bay Power Station will be activated in time for the opening of the new Metro line in 2028.

A fish market for the future

The beloved Sydney Fish Market will have a new home in 2024. Positioned at the head of Blackwattle Bay, the $750 million building will pay homage to the fishing industry with a wave-shaped, scale-patterned roof.

Inside the facility, visitors will find a ground floor auction house, a market hall and food stalls. An office space will be located on a mezzanine level along with a bar and the Sydney Seafood School. The market will connect to a 20-metre wide foreshore walk that will link Glebe to Pyrmont.

The improved access to the area, including the makeover of the neighbouring Blackwattle Bay foreshore, is expected to send visitation rates soaring to over 6 million people annually, more than double current visitations levels.

Opening: 2024.

Barangaroo’s shining new jewel

Despite celebrating its 10-year milestone, Barangaroo continues to evolve. Plans for a 1.85 hectare harbourside park have been unveiled as part of the next stage in the NSW Government’s transformation of the Sydney Harbour foreshore precinct.

The Cutaway, a cavernous underground space hidden below the eastern end of Barangaroo Reserve is also due to receive a makeover. Palm frond-like columns will rim the subterranean space, designed by architecture firm FJMT Studio.

Under the new plan, it will become one of Sydney’s premier cultural and event facilities, spanning three levels and creating a space for events, education, art and entertainment celebrating the state’s rich First Nation history and culture.

Opening: Undisclosed.