The Quay to a new Place
Image: Sydney Place, Circular Quay
After months hidden behind a construction fence, Sydney Place finally opened in March this year revealing a spectacular new entertainment precinct in the heart of Circular Quay.
With Sydney’s tallest office building at its core, the plaza-styled precinct is surrounded by several architecturally unique buildings and structures designed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.
Its retail offerings includes a collection of some of the finest dining establishments in Sydney as well as more leisurely food courts, great bars, cafes and take-aways. Adding a European vibe are three intimate laneways buzzing with dining and entertainment.
A centrepiece of Sydney Place is a large, perforated steel canopy that seemingly balances atop the triangular Plaza Building. Designed by acclaimed indigenous artist, Daniel Boyd in collaboration with British architect Sir David Adjaye, the artwork is intended to be interactive and dynamic, allowing dappled natural light to filter through the holes and create random patterns on the ground.
The Plaza Building is intended as a community space available for a variety of cultural and general uses.
Hidden Realms is another public artwork, an installation of neon sculptures that illuminate one of the walkways in the plaza. Chinese-Australian artist Louise Zhang collaborated with Indigenous artist Dennis Golding to create a piece that takes inspiration from their respective cultures.
“Public art provides a platform for artists and the community to come together with the shared purpose and vision to create meaningful places that add to the cultural, aesthetic and economic value of our cities,” says Steve McGillivray, Project Director for Lendlease who were behind the creation of Sydney Place. “By incorporating artistic expression into our built environments, we hope to create more inviting, enjoyable and inclusive spaces that spark conversation and connection, while paying homage to the people and places that were here before.”
