Wynyard Station to undergo $1.7 billion transformation

There’s good news for Brookfield Property Partners as they receive final approval from NSW cabinet for extensive works on the Wynyard Station precinct revitalisation.

Once complete, this huge $1.7 billion project is set to totally transform the area into a first class office and retail precinct.

Designed by London-based Make Architects in collaboration with Sydney’s Architectus, the project includes two aged ramps into the station being replaced with high end retail, and work could start as early as next year if all goes well. If work does go ahead, then the project could be completed in time for the opening of the new light rail on George Street in 2018.

Currently, final approval was granted on 1 June 2016 from the NSW Cabinet through the Government’s Unsolicited Proposals pathway. Brookfield obtained this by providing a no-cost upgrade to the station surrounds which fall under government leasehold. Before this, several owners had tried to rework Wynyard, including a previous proposal by developer Thakral which failed to win. However Thakral was bought by Brookfield and eventually secured the project.

The Wynyard Place development will certainly help transform the area, and NSW Premier Mike Baird stated that this will help place Sydney on the map as a global city.

“The creation of over 3000 jobs during the construction phase alone builds on NSW’s leadership in jobs growth and economic development,” he said.

One of the major parts of this huge project is the $100 million upgrade of the Wynyard train station by the NSW government which is currently underway. This Wynyard Station Upgrade will help enhance customer comfort and safety, whilst improve service efficiency and also allow to increase capacity for future passenger demand and network growth through the Barangaroo development and the North West Rail Link.

The Wynyard station upgrade will include a number of new key features:

• New fixtures and finishes including tiling, painting and lighting
• Widened paid concourse and more ticket gates
• Reduced clutter on the concourse and platforms
• Upgraded existing and new platform stairs to improve pedestrian circulation and reduce queueing
• New wayfinding and signage allowing customers to move easier in and around the station
• Improving operational reliability through upgraded services and removal of redundant services
• Improving connectivity between Pitt and George Streets through to the western CBD and waterfront

Another major feature of the development includes the 27-level 59,000 sqm office tower, which will become known as 10 Carrington Street, whilst a new laneway is planned between George and Carrington Streets, allowing pedestrian access between Wynyard Park and George Street. The retail space along George Street, within the station concourse and across the Carrington Street frontage will total 7,000 sqm.

Finally, the project will also involve careful restoration of historic office buildings at Shell House and 285 George Street, creating a further 9400 sqm of boutique office space.

This is an exciting time for Sydneysiders with lots of new developments undergoing providing greater employment opportunities and reasons to invest here.

Wynyard Station first opened in 1932 and is Sydney’s third busiest train stations. Wynyard is expected to see more than 100,000 commuters a day pass through the station concourse once complete.