The NSW Government is reimagining the iconic site and the surrounding Bays Precinct, to create a Sydney Fish Market for the future with world-class facilities; Sydney’s most significant harbourside building since the Opera House. The new Sydney Fish Market (set to open in 2025) will attract global attention, with visitation expected to double to over 6 million people annually.
Designed by renowned architects 3XN, in association with Sydney-based firms BVN and landscape architects Aspect Studio, the facility will be a purpose built, authentic operating fish market, and a major food and dining attraction on Sydney’s inner harbour. The design is a world class piece of architecture, with a distinctive wave-shaped and scale-patterned roof that pays homage to the fishing industry.
The Sydney Fish Market is set to be more than just a fish market; it’s on track to become Australia’s Home of Seafood.… the lifeblood of the seafood industry. Thus, the new Market represents not only a state-of-the-art waterfront icon, but also a $750 million injection of support into the national seafood industry. This building presents an invaluable opportunity for Sydney Fish Market to transform operations and deliver an expanded business model, that leverages this significant investment from the NSW Government to strengthen pride in the Australian seafood industry.
Project design
The new Sydney Fish Market will retain its authentic seafood market experience and provide public amenity for all to enjoy. The building is approximately 100m x 200m, and varies in height from 18m (three storeys high) to 25m (four storeys high) due to the unique shape of the canopy roof.
Waterfront promenade
- The project will connect the existing Glebe foreshore promenade to Pyrmont.
- It will deliver over 6,000 square metres of new public open space.
- It will unlock a 15km continuous foreshore walk from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay, creating one of the world’s longest and scenic waterfront walks.
An authentic fish market
- New wharves will be built to allow berthing of commercial fishing vessels to unload their catch. A wharf will also be accessible to the public.
- The amphitheatre staircases and the foreshore promenade wrap over the operational wharf, allowing the public to see into the operations of the fish market.
Public market hall
- The new Sydney Fish Market will be the biggest in the Southern hemisphere.
- It will include a variety of fish traders, restaurants, cafes, bars, and food retailers in a market hall setting.
The floating roof: an architectural icon
- The unique roof is a key design feature using cutting-edge engineering that is environmentally sustainable.
- The timber structure’s wave form reflects the motion of Sydney Harbour’s water and creates a strong visual link to the site.
- The 230m long roof canopy with a two-hectare footprint features a timber structure layered with solar-panel lined ‘cassettes’.
- The roof comprises over 400 individual cassettes, which are a modular design and assembled at nearby Glebe Island.
- The cassettes are assembled on top of a temporary steel frame structure where components are installed, eventually placed on the glulam timber frame forming the iconic roof of the new market.
The architect who worked on this roof, Zvonko Vugreshek from 3XN is also sharing his expertise through a workshop at PAACADEMY, where participants can explore how tools like machine learning are transforming decision-making in design. It’s a chance to learn directly from one of the creative minds behind this remarkable project. Learn more about the workshop here.
The roof canopy: a driver for sustainability
- The main structure that supports the roof is made from sustainable glue-laminated timber ‘glulam’. Glulam was selected for its durability, resilience, and aesthetic appeal, adding a natural finish to the project.
- Glulam beams up to 32m long are used in the roof structure. The beams were produced in northern Italy – due to there being no viable option in the Australian market – in partnership with timber engineering firm Rubner Holzbau.
- The roof is built from repetitive modular elements, creating a seemingly complex shape from a relatively simple system. This approach will minimise material waste and help ensure a safe and efficient building process.
- The roof surface allows reflected sunlight to naturally illuminate the upper levels while offering solar shading from direct rays.
- Solar panels integrated into roof modules will generate up to 5% of the daily energy consumption of the building.
- The roof can collect rainwater and use the recycled water for irrigation and amenities.
New Sydney Fish Market Project Details
Project Name: Sydney Fish Market
Location: Sydney, Australia
Size: 80.000 m2
Client: Infrastructure New South Wales
Collaborators: Designed by 3XN Architects, in association with BVN, and landscape architects Aspect Studio
Status: Expected completion 2025
Program: Market, Retail, Wholesale
Renders: 3XN
Photography: NSW Government
The project description is provided by Sydney Fish Market and NSW Government.
