Walsh Bay Arts Precinct revitalisation secures National Trust Heritage Award

The Walsh Bay Arts Precinct - a cultural precinct on Sydney Harbour foreshore presenting a diverse program of theatre, music and art – has won the 2022 National Trust Heritage Award in the Adaptive Reuse category for revitalisation by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects.

The Precinct was unveiled earlier this year following the completion of major redevelopment works on the historically significant Pier 2/3 and Wharf 4/5 undertaken by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects. Announced at a special ceremony on Friday 13th May at Sydney’s Doltone House, the Precinct was presented with the award by the ABC’s Simon Marnie.  

The National Trust Heritage Awards is an annual celebration of outstanding practice in the field of heritage, awarding excellence in conservation, protection, and interpretation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage during the past year. The Awards are the signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival in New South Wales, co-ordinated by the National Trust and proudly supported by the NSW Government through Heritage NSW.

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is located on the Sydney Harbour foreshore and is now a premier arts and culture hub, home to nine of the nation’s foremost performing arts companies. Former cargo wharves built between 1913 and 1920, Wharf 4/5 and Pier 2/3 are an integral part of Sydney’s history and now feature a heritage-sensitive design by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, undertaken by Richard Crookes Constructions. As the northern most operational pier at Walsh Bay, Pier 2/3 was a key ‘open berth’ location for passenger cargo ships and following the Second World War, the wharf functioned as a migrant arrival point for new families starting their lives in New South Wales.

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct’s resident companies comprise Bangarra Dance Theatre, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Theatre Company and The Song Company, all located at Wharf 4/5 and at Pier 2/3, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Theatre for Young People and Bell Shakespeare. Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is a key venue of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney until 13th June 2022 and will also host Vivid Sydney from 27th May – 18th June 2022.  

For more information on Walsh Bay Arts Precinct visit create.nsw.gov.au/create-infrastructure/arts-properties/walsh-bay-arts-precinct-nsw/