FJMT’s revised designs for the $1.8 billion redevelopment of the Harbourside Shopping Centre in Darling Harbour has been put on exhibition for public feedback.
The major development is a project of Mirvac, who bought the site in 2013. Opened in 1988 as part of the Bicentennial Program, Harbourside played a key role to the success of Darling Harbour but is now “outdated and in decline,” according to the developer.
The proposed redevelopment will include the demolition of the shopping centre, along with the removal of the pedestrian bridge link across Darling Drive and obsolete monorail infrastructure. In its place, the development would include a mixture of non-residential and residential uses, including retail and restaurants, residential apartments, and open space.
FJMT’s concept for the Harbourside Shopping Centre redevelopment.
It would incorporate a civic square, a widened waterfront boulevard and a footbridge link to Pyrmont, makig up a total of 8,000 square metres of public space.
Mirvac engaged Los Angeles firm Jerde Partnership to prepare an initial concept scheme for the retail component of the development and these initial concepts have been integrated into the holistic proposal by FJMT.
Planning documents note that the project would support the realization of the NSW government’s vision for an expanded “cultural ribbon” spanning from Barangaroo, around to Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.
A residential tower was considered a better option than offices because of the 24-hour activation and the reduced floorplate requirments.
FJMT states that to mitigate against view impacts, “the tower adopts an elongated plan, with the narrow facade oriented to the east and west, with wider facades to the north and south.”
“The narrow waterfront tower facade coupled with the current podium form and set back will provide opportunity for a high level of amenity at ground plane with consideration of wind,” state the architects.
The project is classified as a state-significant development, which means it will go through a staged development application process assessed by the state government. The first application is for concept approval for the entire site.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
