The final design has been unveiled for an iconic new Sydney Fish Market which will revitalise Blackwattle Bay and expand the public’s access to Sydney Harbour and its foreshore.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the purpose-built retail and wholesale facility will be positioned over the water as the centrepiece of a new harbour-side precinct, taking advantage of panoramic views to the Anzac Bridge.
"The Sydney Fish Market currently attracts more visitors annually than the Great Barrier Reef and accounts for around 20 per cent of international visitors to the Sydney region," Ms Berejiklian said.
"It is already the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere, trading approximately 14,500 tonnes of seafood per year.
"This brand new fish market will draw locals and visitors to Blackwattle Bay to experience the excitement of an authentic market and auction floor, and taste some of our finest seafood in state-of-the-art surrounds."
The building will feature a unique timber and aluminium roof inspired by fish scales floating over the building like a canopy and be home to an expanded seafood cooking school, food kiosks, restaurants, bars and outdoor spaces for social events.
Plans also include new public wharves, a waterfront promenade, a new ferry stop and new civic and community spaces.
"This will become a vibrant economic and community hub that supports NSW’s fresh seafood industry, our professional fishers and coastal fishing towns from Eden to Tweed Heads," Ms Berejiklian said.
"Relocating the fish market to the new site will return Blackwattle Bay’s foreshore to the public, improve pedestrian and cycling links and connect more of Pyrmont to the water as part of the long-awaited revitalisation of the area."
The design was commissioned last year and is being led by Danish architects 3XN, in partnership with Sydney firms BVN and Aspect Studios.
Sydney Fish Market will continue to operate uninterrupted during construction of the new facility, which is expected to begin mid 2019, subject to all necessary approvals.
The new fish market is expected to open in 2023.
