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.