A major redesign is set to reshape the heart of Sydney, with plans for a new public square opposite Sydney Town Hall unveiled today by the City of Sydney.
The designs outline a contemporary plaza framed by a curved grove of native Australian trees, circular paving patterns and water features that will connect the space with surrounding historic buildings and George Street.
Council has allocated $150 million to cover the project’s design, demolition and construction, with the City of Sydney confirming the works will be funded debt-free through its long-term financial plans.
JPW is the lead design consultant and architect on the project, working alongside landscape architects ASPECT Studios.
The plan comes four decades after the council purchased the first building needed to enable a square at Town Hall, a site that sits within one of the city’s busiest transport precincts, with close to 200,000 people passing through via heavy rail, metro, bus and light rail each day.
Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore AO said the project was essential infrastructure to support a growing population, with the number of people in the city expected to double by 2050.
She pointed to the redevelopment of George Street as evidence that expanding public space benefits the wider city, giving people more room to move, meet, eat and shop.
The square is also intended to ease movement between transport modes and create a stronger entrance point to the CBD.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform a major space in the heart of the city and deliver a generous, welcoming place destined to become the city’s living room and an iconic place to gather,” said Moore.
Matthew Morel, Director at JPW, said the square was designed to accommodate both major public events and the smaller, everyday moments that shape city life, while reflecting the character of the surrounding heritage precinct.
Sacha Coles, Global Design Director at ASPECT Studios, said the tree canopy would provide shade and shelter while changing character across the seasons, offering shade in summer and sunlit spaces in winter.
“A grove of native trees will provide shade and softness in a warming climate, generous seating will invite people to linger, and cool moving water brings movement and a sense of delight,” Coles said.
The square is also expected to boost the visitor economy.
Margy Osmond, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism & Transport Forum, said the development had the potential to draw more people into the precinct and encourage longer stays and greater spending in the area.
“This is fantastic for Sydney’s visitor economy and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new landmark in the heart of the city,” Osmond said.
As part of the project, council has committed to giving the square a First Nations name drawn from a local Aboriginal word, in line with its Naming Policy, alongside plans for the recognition of First Nations cultures within the space.
Next year, the City of Sydney will also begin upgrading the area between Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral, adding new paving, seating and lighting.
A development application for the square is expected to be lodged in the coming months, giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback on the design.
Demolition is planned to begin in 2028, with construction completion targeted for 2031.