The Sydney Fish Market will establish a world-class “foodie” destination. The project seeks to set in place an exemplary example of integrating the public realm and contemporary market space that will become a landmark in Sydney’s unique harbour-based urban landscape. The new market will place people at the centre of the architectural response, with an emphasis on place-making to foster a strong sense of community at Blackwattle Bay.

“Danish designers delivered the iconic Sydney Opera House and we have great expectations that the Danes will deliver again with an iconic new Sydney Fish Market. We’re inspired by 3XN’s credentials and are excited to work with them to see our redevelopment vision come to life.”

Barry Mann, Head of Projects Portfolio at UrbanGrowth NSW

New Location

The Sydney Fish Market will be relocated from its existing location in Pyrmont to an adjacent wharf in Blackwattle Bay in Sydney Harbour within The Bays Precinct. The new market is to be located on the water and a park, and across the promenade. But, rather than allowing the new building to become disruptive of the connection between the existing qualities, the design treats the New Sydney Fish Market as a critical component of the community: a catalyst for a strengthened relationship, both physically and through the identity, it offers to locals and visitors alike.

The foreshore promenade is integrated and expanded via paths that encompass and circulate the destination, and those that force more intimate interaction through permeability. Strategies that enable ease of operation and function are separating pedestrian and vehicular flows, through various configurations of the vehicles, securing connection for the markets to the wider community and necessary transport link for distribution of market products off site.

New Public Route Along the Water’s Edge

The amphitheatre staircases that lead from the plazas to the public market are a continuation of the surrounding landscape, establishing a foreshore promenade around Blackwattle Bay and opening a new public route along the water’s edge.

Adding New Qualities to Sydney’s Public Waterfront

The prominence of the proposed site at the end of Blackwattle Bay seeks a unique response that requires the functional nature of the market to sit within and become integral to the extension of the harbour network and Sydney’s public waterfront domain. While its key operation is industrial by nature, the ambition is to maintain focus on human scale and fine grain urban form within the city fabric.

“Sydney Fish Market is a beloved institution among Sydneysiders, Australians, and international visitors. Therefore, it was integral to select a design team that will modernize and improve the site while recognizing its long-standing heritage and retain the authentic experience that attracts customers and visitors."

Bryan Skepper, Sydney Fish Market General Manager

Scale, Experience and Flexibility

A modular framework underpins the functional strategies of the facility and enables representation and ownership of stakeholders and user groups. The flexibility of the modular system enables spaces and places to overlap, change shape and form, to create new and diverse zones for different operations under the one roof.

Adaptability

Modules may be programmed individually or grouped in clusters to allow for diversity not just in use but in scale and shape as well. The building can be programmed with various indoor and outdoor functionalities, depending on the social needs of market users. It allows for interior and exterior spaces to flex, grow and shrink as needs require. The building becomes a responsive element that changes to meet the current and future needs of the various user groups and stakeholders.

“3XN’s response places people at the centre, with an emphasis on place-making to foster a strong sense of community. The design excels in its ability to create value for all stakeholders; the fisherman, and restaurateurs as well as neighbours and tourists.”

Kim Herforth Nielsen, Founder and Creative Director at 3XN Architects