Construction set to begin on iconic 5 Parramatta Square

City of Parramatta Council is set to begin construction of 5 Parramatta Square - the City’s new civic, cultural and community building - after its Development Application was approved by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel.

The $130 million multipurpose building is the final addition to the new Parramatta Square precinct. The six-storey space will be dedicated to the community, offering a public library, café, publicly available meeting rooms, and access to nearby transport. 

“I’m thrilled to see Council’s long-term vision for one of Australia’s largest urban regeneration projects get the green light,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.

“With its striking design and incredible versatility, this new civic building will be the beating heart of the Parramatta CBD, where our community can meet, work, study, and relax. I can’t wait to see 5 Parramatta Square go from blueprint to reality.”

Following a rigorous selective tender process, Council will appoint a builder in February 2020. Construction is expected to begin soon after.

The innovative and sustainable building was designed by a consortium of Australian firms DesignInc and Lacoste + Stevenson, and French firm Manuelle Gautrand Architecture. It will feature an open layout, tessellated facade and LED lighting, with light projections and digital artworks set to animate the building’s exterior.

The City’s historic Town Hall building will be seamlessly integrated into, and accessible from, 5 Parramatta Square. This integration has been carefully considered by the architects to ensure it celebrates and maintains Parramatta’s rich culture and unique heritage.

Parramatta Square is a three-hectare mixed-use precinct in the centre of Parramatta CBD. Located next to Parramatta train station and a future light rail stop on Macquarie Street, the precinct includes 6,000sqm of public domain that will serve as an important place to meet, trade, shop, dine, learn and connect.

Council anticipates that 5 Parramatta Square will open in April 2022, to coincide with the completion of the remaining Parramatta Square precinct.