Historic Buildings in North Parramatta Could Soon Be Transformed into a Carriageworks-Like Creative Hub

It would work in with the NSW Government's $310 million Parramatta North urban renewal project.
Libby Curran
October 12, 2018

Western Sydney could score a thriving new creative and cultural hub, under an ambitious new plan to develop the existing Parramatta North Heritage Precinct.

The historic site, which is home to a number of buildings that have remained shut and off-limits to the public for years, would be totally revamped, becoming a precinct for start-ups, artist spaces, museums and cafes. Dubbed the Western Sydney Cultural and Creative Industries Hub, the concept was suggested by Sydney Business Chamber, and would work in with the NSW Government's $310 million Parramatta North urban renewal project.

The proposed reinvigoration would open to precinct up to the community, respecting its past — some of the buildings previously housed asylums, orphanages and female factories — while giving a much-needed boost to the area's arts and cultural landscape.

Ideas include the addition of a cultural and creative industries hub (with a similar vibe to Eveleigh's Carriageworks) that would host a mix of established and up-and-coming organisations, with the likes of Urban Theatre Projects, CuriousWorks, Cultural Arts Collective and Diversity Arts Australia suggested as potential tenants.

These would operate alongside a carefully curated retail and cafe offering, in a similar set-up to Melbourne's Abbotsford Convent. The site would also be home to a range of co-working spaces, as well as a 'test space incubator', providing emerging creatives with a space for working, exhibiting and development. There's also scope for the revamped precinct and surrounds to host events and festivals.

Renders courtesy of UrbanGrowth NSW.

Published on October 12, 2018 by Libby Curran
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