Sydney Fish Market opens to the public as a defining addition to Sydney Harbour, marking a decisive step in the renewal of Blackwattle Bay. The project demonstrates how contemporary market infrastructure and accessible public space can operate together within a dense urban setting. By restoring direct access to the water and prioritizing public amenity, the market reframes a long-standing civic asset as an everyday destination shaped by work, movement, and exchange.
Designed by 3XN GXN in association with BVN Architecture and landscape architects ASPECT Studios, and delivered by Infrastructure NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, the building now stands as the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere. Operating around the clock, it supports workers, locals, and visitors while placing the fishing industry in direct view of the city. The market forms the first completed project within the broader renewal of Blackwattle Bay, joining a sequence of harbor sites that includes the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo, and Darling Harbour. Projections estimate more than six million visitors each year.
The building brings working industry and public life into close proximity without overlap. A publicly accessible market hall spans 12,200 square meters, housing fishmongers, restaurants, cafés, and specialty vendors. The design separates circulation paths so wholesale operations and visitors move safely through the building at the same time. Extensive glazing maintains clear views to the harbor, reinforcing the character of an open market.
Retail, tourism, and wholesale functions operate under one roof, allowing visitors to observe the rhythms of the market as they unfold. The Auction Hall accommodates 160 buyers and hosts a Dutch-style auction where bidding begins at the highest offer. Large digital screens display live information, while sightlines from the market hall and the southern promenade allow the public to observe the process. Climate-controlled zones reveal bespoke equipment for live seafood, daily sorting, and the production of up to 70 tons of ice each day, offering rare visibility into the logistics that sustain the market from pre-dawn hours.
Twenty-six lifts connect four levels, moving goods and staff between an underwater basement, trading floors, and offices. The building meets demanding requirements for humidity, hygiene, and heavy machinery while achieving a 5 Star Green Star rating. Updated industrial systems divert up to 80 percent of waste from landfill, reflecting a comprehensive approach to operational efficiency.
A 20,000 square meter floating roof unifies the complex. Spanning 200 meters and weighing 2,500 tons, the structure uses 594 glulam timber beams and 407 pyramidal aluminum cassettes lined with solar panels. The roof geometry admits daylight, provides shading, and reduces reliance on artificial lighting. Its modular construction supports efficient assembly, while rainwater collection and on-site treatment halve potable water use. Natural ventilation and daylight lower energy demand by up to 35 percent.
Public engagement extends beyond the building. The market completes a 15 kilometer foreshore walk linking Rozelle to Woolloomooloo and introduces more than 6,000 square meters of accessible open space. Broad external stairs guide visitors from the surrounding neighborhood into the market hall, doubling as informal seating overlooking the bay.
The new Sydney Fish Market demonstrates how industry and public access can coexist within a single structure. Through careful coordination of logistics, architecture, and public space, it reshapes Blackwattle Bay as an active, connected gathering place anchored in the realities of work and trade.
Location: Blackwattle Bay, Bridge Road, Glebe, Sydney, Australia
Project Timeline:
Construction Start: January 2021.
Completion: November 2025.
Opening: 19 January 2026
Gross square footage: 65,000 m² GFA
Total project cost: $836 million
Client: Infrastructure NSW
Owner: Placemaking NSW
Tenant: Sydney Fish Market Company
Architect: 3XN GXN Architects in association with BVN Architecture
Landscape Architect: ASPECT Studios
Sustainability lead: GXN
Photographers credit: Rasmus Hjortshøj and Tom Roe
Engineers
Civil Engineer (general): Mott MacDonald, AT&L
Civil (roof): Aecom, CSS
Electrical: Aecom, Stowe Australia
Hydraulic: CJ Arms, Harris Page & Associates
Mechanical: Aecom, Equilibrium/Climatec (Joint Venture)
Structural: Mott Macdonald, WSP
Transportation Engineer (nSFM): PTC
Transportation Engineer (Site Surrounds): Arup
Vertical Transportation: Aecom
Consultants
Facade: Apex, PRISM
Logistics: S2D
Sustainability: Stantech, EMF Griffiths
Ergonomic: Dohrmann Consulting
Art Consultant: WallnerWeiss
Wind: Windtech
Acoustics/Vibration: SLR
ESD Consultant: Wood & Grieve
Flooding: Cardno
Heritage & Archaeology: CityPlan / Comber
Maritime Navigation: Royal Haskoning DHV
Visualisations: Mir, Doug & Wolf, Aesthetica Studio, 3XN
Urban Masterplanners: FJMT
Planning Consultant: BBC
BCA Consultant: Steve Watson Partners/Group DLA
Biodiversity: EcoLogical
Visual Impacts: UGDC / Clouston
General contractor: Multiplex
