$25 million tower of arts power

Sydney’s tallest residential tower will house a $25 million dance, theatre, music, film and visual arts facilities in a deal between the City of Sydney and property developer Greenland Australia.
Described as an Australian first, the creative hub will span 2000 sq m over five storeys in the tower at the former Sydney Water site on Bathurst St.
In addition to the hub, the $440 million, 67-storey development will feature 490 residential apartments and ground-floor retail space, while a 173-room hotel will be built on a neighbouring site fronting Pitt St.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the project would bring significant economic, cultural and community benefits to Sydney.
“I’m sure this new development with Greenland will become an iconic part of Sydney’s skyline and reinforce our status as a global city and the Australian gateway for international business and tourism.”
The Lord Mayor said the project will support growth in central Sydney and provide housing and cultural facilities. The creative hub also set a precedent for the inclusion of world-class cultural facilities in private developments.
“We hope this will be the first of many agreements leading to much-needed creative and community space being incorporated into both new and existing developments across the city.”
The City has signed a 99-year lease for the creative hub via a voluntary planning agreement with Greenland Australia. The development is expected to open in late 2017.
The hub will feature architect-designed rehearsal spaces, customised studios, offices and production rooms and an apartment to be made available for a creative fellowship program.
Facilities will include soundproofed rooms for music rehearsals, studios with sprung timber floors for dancers and actors, media and editing suites for filmmakers and new media artists, and wet/dry studios for visual artists.
The creative industries sector is one of the fastest growing in the City of Sydney, with a recent study showing nearly 1900 creative businesses employ more than 35,000 people across the local Government area.
Award-winning actor, producer and writer Claudia Karvan said the creative hub was an exciting initiative which would make a major difference to Sydney’s creative community.
“Affordable space in Sydney is scarce, so it’s fantastic that the City’s new cultural policy is unlocking affordable work spaces in Sydney.
“It’s essential to give local artists and creative teams spaces where they can progress their ideas – facilities like this new hub are the building blocks for Sydney’s future creative life.”