Craning for a look at Barangaroo

Barangaroo – there probably isn’t much we don’t know about ‘Sydney’s largest redevelopment project this century’ given the scale and the publicity it has received. Not to mention the controversy around James Packer’s casino resort proposal….

But did you know the name of the development, selected as part of a competition, is taken from a woman believed to be the wife of great warrior Bennelong, a significant figure during the time Sydney was colonised?

The waterfront site on the western edge of the Sydney CBD was previously 22 hectares of disused container wharves until excavation started in 2012. It is now in full blown construction mode proved by the permanently installed tower cranes (at last count ten) inhabiting the city’s skyline.

Aerial of Barangaroo
Source: Barangaroo.com 

As a quick overview, the precinct is made up of three redevelopment areas - the 6 hectare Headland Park, Barangaroo Central and Barangaroo South.

Barangaroo Central is the cultural and civic heart of the site for recreation, events and entertainment. While Barangaroo South will accommodate the commercial centre supported by residential living.

The headland park is just as the name promises, but what excites me is connecting the missing piece of the puzzle to the rest of Sydney’s waterfront through a foreshore walk onto Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour.

The NSW Government has charged the Barangaroo Delivery Authority to make this $6 billion project happen which by its anticipated 2023 completion will accommodate over 23,000 workers and residents. The brief for Barangaroo as set out for the Authority is:

• Be a precinct that will be studied for generations to come as a world benchmark for its bold and inspiring design, architecture and public domain, awarded for its authenticity, integration and diversity; 

• re-establish a dynamic place for all of Sydney's people which is integrated, connected, secure - defined by its waterfront and CBD location; 

• operate as an exemplar of the next generation in sustainable development by being climate positive. Barangaroo will uphold community wellbeing including health and fitness, and will value what matters to people and the planet; 

• be financially viable with continuing profitability, maximising public returns and value to the people and businesses of Sydney; and 

• add a new dimension to Australia's financial capital by integrating mixed use commercial, residential, retail, educational, civic, cultural and entertainment activities into an extended financial hub. 

So no pressure then….

See more at: http://www.barangaroo.com/