WINNING DESIGN FOR COCKLE BAY PARK REDEVELOPMENT REVEALED

The winning design for the redevelopment of Cockle Bay Park has been unveiled today, revealing a new waterfront precinct connecting the CBD to Darling Harbour.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the design includes a 42-storey office tower, almost a hectare of public open space and new waterfront shops, restaurants and bars.

“This area will be a great example of how we can deliver new tower developments that also have a great benefit to the public, with almost a hectare of new public space to connect the city to its harbour,” Mr Stokes said.

“Following the Stage 1 approval of this exciting redevelopment proposal of Cockle Bay Park, a Design Excellence Competition was held with six internationally-renowned architects to ensure this significant part of the CBD was shaped using the best design ideas available from around the world,” Mr Stokes said.

“The Design Excellence Competition jury, which included representatives of the NSW Government Architect and City of Sydney, selected the winning design by the Danish firm, Henning Larsen.”

Government Architect NSW director Paulo Macchia, who chaired the Design Excellence Competition Jury, said the Cockle Bay Park redevelopment will connect Darling Harbour to the CBD bridging over the Western Distributor.

“The Henning Larsen scheme presented a strong proposition with a thoughtful holistic approach to the site as an urban landscape,” Mr Macchia said.

“The scheme has the potential to enhance Darling Harbour as a precinct, providing a distinctive office tower, retail podium and public open space while significantly improving pedestrian connections between the CBD and Pyrmont Bridge.”

The GPT Group and AMP Capital are leading the redevelopment and a Stage 2 development application will be lodged to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

The proposal will be exhibited for public feedback and the applicants will be required to address community issues before the Department conducts a rigorous assessment of the proposal.