Overview
The City of Sydney is opening up a historic structure for small-scale community events right by one of the city's most sprawling parklands. The interior of one of the towering brick kilns that sit on the Saint Peters side of Sydney Park is set to undergo a series of restorations so that the local community can utilise it for arts events and other gatherings.
Located just off Sydney Park Road, the brick kiln known as Down Draught Kiln 2 will be subject to major work including increased parking, waterproofing, accessibility improvements, stabilisation of the structure and aesthetic changes that will ensure it's a welcoming space. Plus, there will also be a raised lawn and plaza area introduced for outdoor gatherings.
Construction is set to begin in the next 12 months, with the tender process to appoint a contractor for the project currently underway.
Once these restorations and improvements are complete, you can expect to see intimate indoor and outdoor gatherings being to pop up at that corner of Sydney Park.
Alexandria Velovotee; Flickr
"This is the largest intact precinct of brick kilns in the state and opening up a small part of it for art exhibitions and other community events is a fantastic result for our communities," says Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore. "I can't wait to see what our team and communities have in store for this vitally important part of our industrial heritage, which is now part of our cultural future."
The decision by the council comes during a big push for increased community and arts spaces in the Harbour City. Several areas across the state have been marked as Special Entertainment Precincts, providing them with privileges that assist in fostering a thriving nightlife and live music culture, following the successful Enmore Road trial.
The Inner West Council is also pushing to use eight Town Halls as arts hubs across the area. All very positive stuff for the city's cultural footprint and arts communities.
The Sydney bark brick kilns are located just off Sydney Park Road at the meeting of Alexandria and Saint Peters. You can find more info on the restoration project via the City of Sydney website.