Construction of a spectacular floating roof on top of the iconic new Sydney Fist Market is now complete.

The final roof panel has been installed on top of the 200-meter-long floating roof canopy of what will be the new Sydney Fish Market.

Set to open later this year, the new market will be the largest fish market in the Southern hemisphere and will attract more than 6 million visitors annually.

It will be located at the head of Blackwattle Bay on Bridge Road, Glebe, within Blackwattle Bay.

The site is adjacent to the existing fish market, which currently receives around 3 million visits each year.

Key design features will include:

  • A new waterfront promenade that will connect the existing Glebe foreshore promenade to Pyrmont. This will deliver more than 6,000 square meters of new public open space and will create one of the world’s longest and most scenic waterfront walks by unlocking a 15km continuous foreshore walk from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay.
  • An authentic fish market from catch to plate. New wharves will allow the berthing of new commercial fishing vessels to unload their catch. Another wharf will be accessible to the public. The amphitheatre staircases and the foreshore promenade will wrap over the operational wharf and will enable the public to see into the market operations.
  • A public market hall that will house a variety of fish traders, restaurants, cafes, bars and food retailers in a market hall setting.
  • Delivery of up to 1,100 homes on the site of the old fish market, which will cease to operate once the new market opens.

(The last roof cassette has been placed on the new roof. Image credit: Multiplex)

The new roof will be the standout architectural feature of the market. Its timber structure’s wave-like form reflects the motion of Sydney Harbour and creates a strong visual link to the site.

The roof comprises over 400 individual cassettes, which are of modular design and assembled at nearby Glebe Island.

The cassettes are assembled on top of a temporary steel frame structure where components are installed, eventually placed on the glulam timber frame forming the iconic roof of the new market.

(image credit: Multiplex)

The timber structure was completed in December whilst the final roof panel has just been installed.

Finishing touches including waterproofing will take place over coming weeks.

The roof weighs a mammoth 2,500 tonnes.

(above image: New Sydney Fish Market – aerial artist impression. Image supplied. Copyright Infrastructure NSW).

All up, the project has supported over 700 jobs during construction and is expected to generate a further 700 jobs once operational.

The market will also inject around $750 million annually into the national seafood industry.

(artist impression: image supplied)

The project was designed by architects 3XN, who work with Sydney firms BVN and Aspect Studios.

Its construction contractor Multiplex has awarded more than $670 million in local contracts to Australian suppliers.

These include supplies for services such as maritime piling, steel reinforcement and installation of roof cassettes.

(artist impression – image supplied)

NSW Premier Chris Minns welcomed the latest progress.

“The revamped market will be truly spectacular, offering a world-class, authentic seafood for an expected 6 million annual local and international visitors – ensuring it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations on offer in our harbour city,” Minns said.

“Excitement around the new Sydney Fish Market is growing every day as this spectacular new building, now with a completed roof, comes to life at the head of Blackwattle Bay.”

Practical completion of the project and handover to Sydney Fish Market is expected to occur in the second half of this year.

The market will then undergo internal fitout before tenants and traders are relocated from the existing market site.

The market is expected to open toward the end of the year.

 

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