City of Parramatta Council has brought together Parramatta Square's landowners and tenants in a powerful alliance to cement the $2.7 billion hub as the beating heart of the Parramatta CBD.
City of Parramatta Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Michelle Garrard today signed the Parramatta Square Precinct Alliance Charter along with Walker Corporation; National Australia Bank; Western Sydney University; NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment; NSW Department of Customer Service; Sydney Water; Powerhouse Parramatta; and property investment management firm Charter Hall.
"Parramatta Square is one of the biggest urban regeneration projects this country has ever seen, setting a new Australian benchmark for office space, retail and dining," City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.
"Councillors first committed to the vision of a world-class commercial and cultural precinct in the Parramatta CBD in 1996 and we are incredibly proud to see their ambitious plan taking shape.
"By working with Walker Corporation and other alliance partners we will put Parramatta Square on the global map as an extraordinary gathering place for inspiration, discovery, connection and engagement."
Walker Corporation Chief Executive Officer David Gallant said the alliance harnesses the collective ambition and vision of the company, Council and tenants to create an incredible city.
"Walker Corporation takes great pride in delivering great places and here at Parramatta Square we are creating a world-class hub, which is the pulse of Parramatta and the envy of CBDs across Australia," Mr Gallant said.
"This powerful alliance will bring together some of Australia's leading businesses and institutions to help Parramatta Square become one of the world's best places to work, shop, study and relax."
Walker Corporation is the owner of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Parramatta Square towers.
The Parramatta Square precinct is set for completion in 2022. The three-hectare hub will boast commercial towers, premium-grade office space, civic facilities, retailers, restaurants, and a large public space.
Under the Charter, alliance members will deliver initiatives to make the Parramatta Square public domain a welcoming, safe and seamless space for workers, students, residents and visitors. This includes activating the precinct during the day and night through a vibrant events program; using technical innovation to improve the experience for people in the Square; and ensuring a precinct approach towards greater sustainability.
Council will be managing the Square's public domain and will also be delivering the refurbished Town Hall and 5 Parramatta Square, a $130 million community, cultural and civic building featuring a state-of-the-art library, creative and community spaces and new Council Chambers.
Council has also commissioned two eight-metre-tall public artworks which are uniquely Parramatta to take pride of place in the new Square in 2022. These include Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro's A Place of Eels and Reko Rennie's Where Eels Lie Down.
Alliance Member Quotes
1 Parramatta Square owner - Charter Hall - Office CEO Carmel Hourigan:
"Charter Hall is proud to partner with City of Parramatta Council, major tenant organisations and property owners in the Parramatta Square Precinct Alliance Charter to deliver a world-class place and community experience at Parramatta Square. As the foundation developer, owner and manager of 1PSQ and with over $1.5 billion of investments in the broader region, we're committed for the long term to ensure the ongoing growth and prosperity of Western Sydney."
1 Parramatta Square tenant, Western Sydney University - Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Barney Glover:
"The Parramatta Square Precinct is a bold and transformative reimagining of the urban landscape. Western Sydney University is committed to its central role in driving that transformation, and we will continue to infuse this vibrant space with the world's best education and research, and dynamic community and industry collaboration."
1 Parramatta Square tenant, Powerhouse Parramatta - Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah:
"The Powerhouse is proud to support Parramatta Square. Since opening our Community Space in December we've seen how the community has embraced this incredible new precinct. We look forward to continuing to partner to deliver great cultural programs leading up to the launch of Powerhouse Parramatta. There is so much potential for collaboration with our Alliance. We cannot wait to become neighbours up the road when construction of Powerhouse Parramatta is completed."
2 Parramatta Square tenant, Sydney Water - Managing Director Roch Cheroux:
"We are proud to be a member of the Parramatta Square Alliance, a vibrant and diverse community that aligns with our values at Sydney Water. We look forward to contributing to the sustainable future of Parramatta Square, and providing a place for all to come and enjoy."
3 Parramatta Square tenant, National Australia Bank - Retail Metro NSW Executive Hugh Humphrey:
"National Australia Bank (NAB) has been a long-term champion of investment in new infrastructure and innovation in Western Sydney. NAB is pleased to continue this investment as a cornerstone tenant of Parramatta Square where many of our Sydney colleagues are now based. The Parramatta Square precinct will enable NAB to support businesses, customers and surrounding communities to thrive in this important growth corridor."
4 Parramatta Square tenant, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Director of Property Projects and Workplace Services Adam Wellings:
"The Alliance between Parramatta Square tenants and City of Parramatta Council is a great initiative as it aims to work collaboratively to make Parramatta Square a destination for everyone to enjoy. The Square itself offers a unique opportunity for our staff to engage with the community by activating events and supporting local businesses."
Key Facts
- Parramatta Square, a three-hectare precinct in the Parramatta CBD, will be completed in 2022.
- Some elements are already open including: 1 Parramatta Square, a Western Sydney University campus; 2 Parramatta Square, the Sydney Water Tower; 3 Parramatta Square, the offices of anchor tenant National Australia Bank; 4 Parramatta Square, the offices of NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment; the Parramatta Station underground pedestrian link; and the public domain (partially open).
- Buildings set for completion in 2022 include: 5 Parramatta Square, Council's new community, cultural and civic building; and 6 & 8 Parramatta Square.
- The precinct will offer 290,000sqm of premium-grade office and retail space.
- 6 & 8 Parramatta Square will be Australia's biggest commercial building, offering 120,000sqm of office space.
- The 26,000sqm Western Sydney University campus houses more than 10,000 university students annually.
- Parramatta Square will accommodate about 23,000 workers.
