Back in September, Sydneysiders got a sneak peek at the new Sydney Fish Market – the huge revitalisation of Sydney’s enormous harbourside market. The major makeover was announced back in 2016, with a $750-million upgrade getting the green light back in 2020. Now, after some concerns over the financial viability of the project (which spokespeople for the Market denied), the spectacular new structure has reached a major milestone – the 200-metre-long floating roof canopy is now complete.
Completion of the huge structure’s roof means that attention will now move from structural work to the building's interior, a pivotal point in the construction process, which reportedly brings the project onto “the home stretch”.
Designed by renowned Danish architecture firm 3XN, the 200-metre roof canopy is formed of more than 400 individual roof panels, weighing a hefty 2,500 tonnes. The striking, wave-like structure is held up by 594 timber roof beams, some as long as 32 metres.
Now that the roof is complete (with some final waterproofing set to be finished over the next few weeks), attention is turning to the interiors – set to be lightflooded and home to some of Sydney’s favourite foodies (confirmed retailers so far include the Inner West brunch institution that is Dirty Red, Nanjing Dumplings (who are responsible for some of the best dishes in Chinatown), Malaysian fave Ho Jiak and Cow and the Moon (one of Sydney’s best gelato purveyors).
The redesign of the Sydney Fish Market is part of a major transformation of Blackwattle Bay, which will also welcome 300 new homes and a heap of new shops. The harbourside precinct will also welcome 6,000 square metres of revitalised public space, including shiny new cycling links and a huge new waterfront park opening up directly onto a new waterfront boardwalk, which is set to stretch around Sydney Harbour for 15 kilometres – connecting Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay.
You can learn more about the new Sydney Fish Market (and take a virtual tour) over here.
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