Cockle Bay Park plans to reconnect the city centre to Darling Harbour, bringing people together through nature, commerce, technology and culture.

The proposed redevelopment will deliver 10,000 square metres of public space, vastly improve the pedestrian connections between the Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour and provide a world-class retail, entertainment, dining and office precinct. It will be a significant new area of green space on the Darling Harbour waterfront, enjoying sunshine throughout the year.

The Independent Planning Commission approved the concept plan and stage one works in May 2019.

Public Realm

Development plans include a dynamic and inclusive place for workers, locals and visitors to enjoy a world-class program of cultural events.

Retail

The precinct aspires to offer a range of premium and casual dining, along with retail, entertainment and service providing an inviting destination for all, with something for everyone.

Tower

A potential CBD workplace of the future providing unique waterfront amenity for a healthy work-life balance.

Public Realm

Development plans include a dynamic and inclusive place for workers, locals and visitors to enjoy a world-class program of cultural events.

Retail

The precinct aspires to offer a range of premium and casual dining, along with retail, entertainment and service providing an inviting destination for all, with something for everyone.

Tower

A potential CBD workplace of the future providing unique waterfront amenity for a healthy work-life balance.

At a glance

10,000

Up to 10,000 square metres of open public space, over the Western Distributor

24/7

Access to public space

80,000*

The development aims to potentially connect thousands of city workers

10,000*

The development seeks to add capacity for more visitors to major events

2026

Estimated completion date

*Source – PWC, strategic assessment of the vision for Cockle Bay Park report

Public Space

Cockle Bay Park aims to reconnect the city to the harbour, with the creation of a new public space for all visitors to Darling Harbour to enjoy.

Part of the new open space is created by a new ‘cover’ above the Western Distributor. Currently the Western Distributor freeway separates Darling Harbour from the CBD.

The project will deliver 10,000 square meters of new public and green space. This is approximately the same size as the entire Martin Place pedestrian mall.

The project enables enhanced entrances on Market and Druitt streets, improving the connections to Town Hall Station, the light rail and planned Metro stations.

The development will greatly enhance Darling Harbour’s capacity to host large public events such as New Year’s Eve, Vivid and Chinese New Year. The public space is being designed to accommodate up to 10,000 people for large events.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Retail

Cockle Bay Wharf is located at a critical intersection point between the city’s CBD and the Darling Harbour tourist and entertainment district.

This makes it the natural location for a family friendly entertainment precinct, with eating and drinking options for use throughout the year.

As part of its programming, Cockle Bay Park will curate exciting, world-class public art and cultural experiences to thousands of people each year in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Office

The design will include a premier 6-Green Star office tower with best practice sustainability and smart building design.

The project is committed to delivering a new commercial building with a slender structure to be in harmony with the existing skyline and the precinct.

The project will deliver a revitalised retail precinct with over 70,000 square metres of commercial floor space to create more jobs and business opportunities for a growing global city.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Community

Community consultation continues. Community design workshops were held in May and June 2019 as part of the design excellence process. These workshops were to work with the community on how the public space could be designed.

Community participants were asked to share with the project team their thoughts on a number of aspects including:

  • The current state of Cockle Bay and this area
  • What a vision for this open space could include
  • What would help make the area a great place for residents, workers and tourists

The project will continue to undertake community and stakeholder engagement. We will seek further community input during the exhibition of the Stage 2 Environmental Impact Statement in 2020.

Design

After an extensive search, in September 2019, the project team announced 6 world leading design teams to participate in the international design competition.

The shortlisted teams include:

  • FJMT, Martha Schwartz, Jerde
  • Woods Bagot, Aspect Studios
  • Grimshaw Architects, JCFO, Portland
  • Henning Larsen, McLachlan Lister, Geoffrey Thing Studio
  • Wilkinson Eyre, Grant Associates, GHD
  • UNStudio-Cox, Aspect Studios

The winner of the design competition is likely to be announced by 2020. Stage 2 of the Development Application Process will then commence.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Public Space

Cockle Bay Park aims to reconnect the city to the harbour, with the creation of a new public space for all visitors to Darling Harbour to enjoy.

Part of the new open space is created by a new ‘cover’ above the Western Distributor. Currently the Western Distributor freeway separates Darling Harbour from the CBD.

The project will deliver 10,000 square meters of new public and green space. This is approximately the same size as the entire Martin Place pedestrian mall.

The project enables enhanced entrances on Market and Druitt streets, improving the connections to Town Hall Station, the light rail and planned Metro stations.

The development will greatly enhance Darling Harbour’s capacity to host large public events such as New Year’s Eve, Vivid and Chinese New Year. The public space is being designed to accommodate up to 10,000 people for large events.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Retail

Cockle Bay Wharf is located at a critical intersection point between the city’s CBD and the Darling Harbour tourist and entertainment district.

This makes it the natural location for a family friendly entertainment precinct, with eating and drinking options for use throughout the year.

As part of its programming, Cockle Bay Park will curate exciting, world-class public art and cultural experiences to thousands of people each year in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Office

The design will include a premier 6-Green Star office tower with best practice sustainability and smart building design.

The project is committed to delivering a new commercial building with a slender structure to be in harmony with the existing skyline and the precinct.

The project will deliver a revitalised retail precinct with over 70,000 square metres of commercial floor space to create more jobs and business opportunities for a growing global city.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Community

Community consultation continues. Community design workshops were held in May and June 2019 as part of the design excellence process. These workshops were to work with the community on how the public space could be designed.

Community participants were asked to share with the project team their thoughts on a number of aspects including:

  • The current state of Cockle Bay and this area
  • What a vision for this open space could include
  • What would help make the area a great place for residents, workers and tourists

The project will continue to undertake community and stakeholder engagement. We will seek further community input during the exhibition of the Stage 2 Environmental Impact Statement in 2020.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

Design

After an extensive search, in September 2019, the project team announced 6 world leading design teams to participate in the international design competition.

The shortlisted teams include:

  • FJMT, Martha Schwartz, Jerde
  • Woods Bagot, Aspect Studios
  • Grimshaw Architects, JCFO, Portland
  • Henning Larsen, McLachlan Lister, Geoffrey Thing Studio
  • Wilkinson Eyre, Grant Associates, GHD
  • UNStudio-Cox, Aspect Studios

The winner of the design competition is likely to be announced by 2020. Stage 2 of the Development Application Process will then commence.

*Artist Impression Only – Subject to Design Excellence Process and Planning Approval

An exciting future

Get in Touch

For more information about the Cockle Bay Park development download the latest newsletter.

We value your feedback and invite you to submit any questions or comments you may have via the form below.

Get in Touch

For more information about the Cockle Bay Park development download the latest newsletter.

We value your feedback and invite you to submit any questions or comments you may have via the form below.