Destination Sydney led by Lend Lease with HASSELL, OMA and Populous has been unveiled as the winning consortium for the redevelopment of Sydney’s Entertainment Precinct.
Above: Preferred plan, International Convention Centre (view from the east). Source: SICEEP/OMA/HASSELL
Destination Sydney led by Lend Lease with Australian firm HASSELL Studio, Dutch office OMA and Populous (formerly HOK), has been unveiled as the winning consortium for the redevelopment of the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour.
Masterplan (view from the east). Source: OMA/HASSELL/SICEEP
The Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) press release – issued earlier today – quotes Premier of NSW Barry O’Farrell as stating that the redevelopment “goes far beyond improving facilities – it’s also about re-shaping the city.”
International Convention Centre (view from Harbourside Place). Source: OMA/HASSELL/SICEEP
Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2014.
More information & interview with OMA to follow.
Edit: Click here for the extended story, and here to read Michael Holt’s interview with David Gianotten of OMA.
Comments:
1.Pity there doesn’t seem to be any public transport solution to bring all these people to the venues.
2.All the perspectives show lots of cars!
3.The high rise hotels are conveniently airbrushed as though transparent.
4.There is no sculptural quality to any of the buildings.
5.What about the “left over spaces” between buildings & finally,
6. Another Lend Lease job for the boys-look at what has happened to Barrangaroooooooo!
Perhaps James Packers casino could be in this complex?
To you guys at Hassell’s
You can do better
Stop getting pushed by Lend Lease
Another Sulman award winning project being demolished in the name of development. and I agree with Andre, Hassell’s work is usually much better
I don’t think they can do better – leand lease is an excuse.
What was the purpose of this editorial? Is it too much to ask to get you folks to research and write something of value…
Not even 250 words… this is a feature on Australian Design Review…you call this journalism
Hi Craig, this is just a news announcement (not a ‘feature’), and as stated at the end of the text, more information will follow shortly – including interviews with those involved. Many thanks.
Very underwhelming!! Look at me architecture! Does not relate to the context and not engaging – missed opportunity. So what were the other entries like? Can we see those??
Looks like an exciting development for Darling Harbour.
If you take the people and the cars out all the open space seems to be very un-entertaining asphalt where today there is semi entertaining concrete…seats, trees etc
Its often the time before and after paid entertainment ‘in’ buildings that is the most memorable, the excitement, the fans singing, people meeting friends, having a quick meal. I would have hoped for something much more compelling, a totally immersive experience for the people on the ground not just slick glass and steel buildings that could be anywhere and hold any land use.
Not trying to jump the gun, but if these are the ‘sell’ images what hope of improvement when the budgets start making their input?
take the pictures of people out and what you have is an un-entertaining asphalt road, glass and steel/concrete buildings that could be anywhere and hold any use
another precinct in the city to go to and get out of asap
is there any hope that the ‘sell pictures’ could possible improve once the budget starts making its own input?
What a mish mash – and what has happened to the water features. Currently these elements are enjoyed by both kids and tourists, providing entertainment, photo opportunities and have a cooling and humanising effect.
You guys are talking out of your ass!
they have teams of people who work out all the problems that you are complaning about…
I think this is an amazing thing for the city of sydney… and as for there being no transport to the place. The whole point is that you get to WALK from the station or get to WALK around and look at the area and be a part of it…
The spaces between the buildings are to create more flow to the areas that have basically been blocked off by the structure that was created by cox richardson in the 80s and to bring pyrmont and and the rest of the down town Sydney back together…
As for the buildings “not being sculptural” you do realise we’re not in Europe, nor do Sydney want the landscape of the city to be like a gaudi work.
I think the buildings work really well within the new enviroment they will be built in.
As for if Hassell can do better or not… this was a job they won. the OBVIOUSLY were the better out of all the other companies…
Signed someone who thinks this new area will do wonders for Sydney