Architects appointed to Mirvac’s $2 billion Darling Harbour redevelopment to transform Harbourside

Mirvac has progressed in its plans to transform Harbourside, Darling Harbour into a new, world class destination for Sydney, following the appointment of architects Snøhetta and Hassell Studio.

Snøhetta and Hassell Studio submitted the winning design concept to the international Harbourside design excellence competition, which was selected by a jury of six influential urban design experts.

The proposed $2 billion redevelopment of the Harbourside precinct is a landmark project in Mirvac’s $28 billion national development pipeline, said Mirvac chief investment officer, Brett Draffen.

“We are delighted to reach this important milestone and progress the formal design excellence process for the revitalisation of Harbourside, working alongside Place Management NSW”, he said.

The winning design was selected by the jury because it “emphatically embraced” Mirvac’s vision for Harbourside.

Subject to the necessary approvals from the NSW Government, Harbourside is expected to deliver approximately 24,000sqm of office space, 7,000sqm of retail and 350 luxury apartments.

As part of the project, Mirvac will also deliver 10,000 square metres of public domain, including the proposed 3,500sqm Guardian Square, as well as a widened waterfront promenade for the community to visit and enjoy.

The concept for Harbourside characterised by this network of welcoming public open spaces featuring natural materials and vegetation.

“At its heart, Guardian Square will become Pyrmont’s new neighbourhood park and community meeting place, with landscaping and moments of art and activation planned to deliver an enlivened precinct that provides locals and visitors alike with a powerful sense of belonging, community and ownership”, said Draffen.

The development pays respect to the Indigenous history of its Sydney site.

“For thousands of years, Aboriginal people lived in and around this area which to them was an important gathering place known as Tumbalong, named after the harbour’s abundance of seafood”, Draffen said.

Hassell principal, Liz Westgarth said: “The landmark Sydney site of Darling Harbour, previously known as Tumbalong, has a long, rich, and layered history, which provides a unique context for world-class architecture and place-making to inspire future story creation.”

Kaare Krokene, managing director of Snøhetta Australasia said: “We are extremely proud of a design that acknowledges the historic sandstone escarpment landscape of Tumbalong, now known as Darling Harbour.”

This continues the tradition of shared public space, honouring the first nations Gadigal and Wangal people who saw this as "shared country.”

Luxury apartments will be designed to meet the high standards of sustainability and liveability, featuring smart technology and an exciting array of shops, eateries and other attractions.

Harbourside is expected to commence construction in 2023 once approvals are secured.