The Sydney Fish Market has reached construction completion, with market proprietors now set to complete final fit-outs ahead of its 2026 opening.
Designed by Danish-born, international architecture practice 3XN with Australian practices BVN and Aspect Studios, the project relocates the existing fish market in Blackwattle Bay to an adjacent site. The milestone marks the culmination of nearly a decade of planning, design and construction, with designers first sought in 2016 and development approval granted in 2020.
The new Sydney Fish Market is the largest public market hall in the southern hemisphere and is expected to attract over six million domestic and international visitors each year.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the “milestone is an opportunity to reflect on all the hard work that has gone into completing this magnificent building on Sydney’s harbour foreshore.”
The new market is supported by 481 marine piles and 6,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement. It comprises more than 400 roof cassettes and 594 glulam timber beams, which were transported by barge from Glebe Island. Beneath the building, seawall tiles, coral panels and hanging fish habitats have been installed to support marine life in Blackwattle Bay.
The defining feature of the project is its distinctive 230-metre-long roof, with panels patterned to resemble fish scales. Designed to harness climatic conditions, the roof collects rainwater for recycling, generates energy through photovoltaic panels and includes skylights that draw natural light through the market. The roof can also be illuminated for special occasions via multi-coloured LED lighting.
Another notable feature is a glass facade around the building, designed to enable visitors to observe the market in action, including live fish auctions.
According to a NSW government communique, the site accommodates more than 6,000 square metres of public space, and includes five art installations in the Civic Plaza intended to celebrate First Nations heritage and the area’s industrial history.
Retail space in the new market will be double the capacity of the current market, featuring a mix of local seafood vendors, specialty food shops,and a range of dining options, from casual takeaway to premium waterfront restaurants.
The new Sydney Fish Market is anticipated to open on 19 January 2026, while the existing fish market site is earmarked for a redevelopment that will deliver more than 1,500 homes.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
