Sydney's Three-Storey Jacksons on George Will Be Rebuilt as a Pub of the Future

The rapid redevelopment of the Sydney CBD shows no sign of slowing, with Lendlease's $1.6-billion Circular Quay development proposal now including a remodelling of Jacksons on George.

As the three-storey venue currently stands — consisting of Magners Rooftop Cider Bar, PJ's Irish Whiskey Bar and Temple Bar — it is essentially your run-of-the-mill pub catering mainly to CBD visitors and commuters. While it has remained an after-work haunt for years, it could definitely do with an upgrade. The venue has already closed its doors in preparation for its demolition next month, which will see it undergo quite the transformation.

According to new renders and plans released by Lendlease, the new "social destination" will still span three levels, including a gastropub, restaurant, and an open-air rooftop bar overlooking the planned public plaza and laneways. Designed by award-winning, Sydney-based architecture firm Stewart Hollenstein, the space will feature active edges and open frontages, all of which are designed to enhance social interaction within the venue and with the city below.

The renders are certainly a huge, futuristic leap from the existing building, and we must say they do look pretty schmick. The venue's facade will be distinguished by a ceramic tile exterior that wraps around the building, with the curved form meant to resemble a boat, paying homage to the building's past life as a boat yard. The development application for the structure hasn't been approved yet though — it's currently under assessment by the Central Sydney Planning Committee.

The new venue will be connected to Lendlease's Circular Quay development, which also includes a 55-storey office tower, a mixed-use podium and ground-floor retail laneways that seek to link the Sydney CBD with Circular Quay.

Though other closings and redevelopments have left us feeling blue — including the sale of the iconic Sirius Building — this is a change that could add to Circular Quay.