Architects Hassell relocate from The Rocks to historic Walsh Bay pier

Architect firm Hassell has relocated its Sydney studios from The Rocks to a new studio at the historic Walsh Bay Pier 8/9, near Barangaroo, where it will work on the redesign of the $2.5 billion Darling Harbour exhibition centre among other Sydney projects.

The new studio is in historic Pier 8/9 on the harbour’s edge off Hickson Road - adjacent to Barangaroo Headland Park, is in the heart of the emerging Walsh Bay creative industries community.

Businesses renting premises nearby include search engine Yahoo, global architect firm Grimshaw, advertising agent Leo Burnett and visual effects studio Method Studios.

Pier 8/9 was built in 1914 to store and load wool onto ships bound for Europe.

The rent has not been disclosed.

A 329-square-metre space on Hickson Road in Walsh Bay is currently being advertised at $575 per square metre plus GST.

The new Hassell studio has a large double height creative hub that "reveals the historic fabric and function of the building while accommodating interaction, model making, meeting and forum spaces".

This space will facilitate everything from incidental get togethers,to formal presentations and even performances for larger groups.

The main studio space on the mezzanine level overlooks the hub, placing Hassell’s design process on display, visible from both the entry below and throughout the large column free workspaces.

Hassell's current projects include Darling Harbour Live - the redesign of the convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct, a new glasshouse and tropical centre at Sydney’s Botanic Garden, the new light rail project in Sydney’s CBD and south eastern suburbs, and several mixed use projects within the city and cityfringe.