The New South Wales government has unveiled the completed transformation of the Cutaway at Barangaroo, positioning the once-industrial cavern as a major new arts, cultural and events venue capable of operating around the clock.
Located beneath Barangaroo Reserve, the former concrete shell has been reimagined into a flexible, large-scale space designed to host festivals, exhibitions, performances and community events, reinforcing Sydney’s ambition to strengthen its global reputation as a leading destination for culture and tourism.
Spanning 10,000 square metres with a capacity of up to 3,000 people, the Cutaway features two mezzanine levels and a range of adaptable spaces, including a main event hall, gallery and exhibition rooms, pre-function areas and educational facilities.
Purpose-built back-of-house amenities such as dressing rooms, green rooms, a commercial kitchen and ticketing office enable the venue to support events of varying scale and complexity.
Its location offers direct, step-free access from Barangaroo Metro Station, significantly improving connectivity for visitors travelling from across Sydney, including the city’s north west and south west growth corridors.
Architecturally, the venue is distinguished by 13 sculptural timber “trees”, each constructed from up to 115 interlocking timber pieces and reaching heights of up to 17 metres.
These installations reflect a broader design approach that integrates sustainability and First Nations cultural expression throughout the project, delivered by Infrastructure NSW in partnership with FDC Construction & Fitout, fjcstudio, and cultural collaborators Shannon Foster and Jake Nash.
Acoustic performance has also been prioritised, with the enclosure of open voids using dual layers of glass separated by an air pocket to enhance sound quality while maintaining natural light.
This allows the Cutaway to support high-calibre music performances and major events within an enclosed environment.
The project forms part of a wider strategy by the NSW government to revitalise Sydney’s night-time economy and visitor appeal.
Recent policy measures include easing restrictions on trading hours, lifting concert caps and investing in cultural infrastructure to attract both local and international audiences.
Following intervention from Minister for Planning Paul Scully, the Cutaway has been approved to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, despite earlier opposition.
Tom Gellibrand, Chief Executive of Infrastructure NSW, said: “The completion of the Cutaway marks a defining moment for Barangaroo and for Sydney.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “The new Cutaway space joins the Opera House as one of the great cultural and event locations on the iconic shore of Sydney Harbour – confirming Sydney’s status as a world-class city for arts, culture and major events.”
Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said: “The Cutaway provides Sydney something much-needed: a large‑scale, flexible, indoor cultural venue capable of supporting everything from live performances to festivals, art installations and community gatherings.”
The Cutaway will officially open with a weekend of free public events in May, featuring live music, gallery access, workshops and guided tours.
Following final preparations, the venue is scheduled to open for bookings from 1 August, with expectations that it will become a central hub for creative activity and a key driver of economic and cultural growth in Sydney.
