Barangaroo South: A 15-Year Vision Realised

RSHP celebrates the completion of the Barangaroo South Masterplan which has transformed The City of Sydney’s north-western harbour from a disused container port on the edge of the Central Business District (CBD) to a mixed-use, carbon neutral, vibrant, inclusive precinct sitting at the water’s edge.

RSHP, with Lendlease, won a design competition that sought a developer for the 22-hectare Barangaroo masterplan. The masterplan was organised into three distinct precincts: Barangaroo South for high density commercial and residential development, an extension of the city’s CBD; Barangaroo Reserve, a naturalistic reconstruction of the historic northern headland as a landscaped destination for all; and Barangaroo Central, a low density residential neighbourhood overlooking a harbour-side city park, and connecting North to South.

In the 10 years since the completion of the first phase of the development, Barangaroo South has become an extraordinary successful new city quarter frequented by Sydneysiders, tourists, workers and resident’s alike, seven days a week. At the heart of the scheme and generating the finance for the public spaces across the wider masterplan area, are the International Towers Sydney, (2017), three ‘sibling’ office buildings organised on a fan-shaped grid radiating from the precinct’s connection to Wynyard Main Rail Station.

The towers adopt the scale and density of the CBD and open out towards the west, democratising views whilst making space at street level for the fully accessible waterfront.

Over two-thirds of the land area was set aside as public and recreational spaces, including a continuous waterfront promenade that was previously broken by the port, (Wulugul Walk, 2021); an amphitheatre-style boardwalk stepping down to the water, (Watermans Cove, 2025) and a one-hectare park, providing a green retreat for the community, (Hickson Park, 2020).

The plan reconnects the area with the rest of Sydney by creating strong pedestrian and public transport links, including Wynyard Walk – which brings Wynyard Station to the doorstep of Barangaroo - and Sussex Street Bridge (2016); a new ferry terminal (Barangaroo Ferry Wharf (2017), and a metro station (Sydney Metro Barangaroo Station, 2024) at Barangaroo Central.

The existing shoreline was reimagined as part of a citywide vision for continuous 14km waterside walk between Anzac Bridge to the west and the Botanic gardens to the east. The design brings people closer to the water, creating moments of intimacy and connection along the broader waterfront promenade — a place for gathering, reflection, and celebration of Sydney’s harbour identity.

Sustainability
Barangaroo is part of the Clinton Climate Initiative’s Climate Positive Development Program, and represents an exemplar of sustainable, climate-responsive urban design. Barangaroo South became Australia’s first carbon-neutral precinct in 2019. The area, as well as the International Towers have all been WELL Certified at the Platinum level – making it one of the world’s most sustainable multi-use precincts. In addition the towers have all been recognized with a 6 Star Green Star rating – the highest level of sustainability for a building - from the Green Building Council of Australia. The masterplan encourages walking, cycling, and public transport, completing Sydney’s continuous waterfront promenade and forming part of a ‘culture trail’ linking key civic destinations along the harbour.

“With the greatest respect for all people and supporting the vision that was to give back a new landscape to Sydneysiders at Barangaroo, we set out to be radical at Barangaroo South, to turn Sydney’s back door into a new front door. That it has been such a success is testament to the skills of the thousands of people involved in its conception and realisation, in the making of history”. Ivan Harbour, Senior Design Director, RSHP

“Barangaroo is more than a masterplan — it’s a living part of the city that continues to evolve around the people who use it every day. It has become a destination, an extension of the city on the water’s edge. As a practice based here in one of the International Towers, we experience daily the first-hand vibrancy and connection this place brings to Sydney’s western waterfront. Barangaroo demonstrates what can be achieved when design prioritises public space, sustainability, and a sense of belonging — principles that continue to shape our work in Australia and beyond.” Avtar Lotay, Managing Director, RSHP Australia

“Living and working in Sydney during the design and construction of Barangaroo was a deeply rewarding experience. This project was about giving something back to the city — reconnecting people with the harbour and creating places that feel both civic and human. Watching the International Towers and the public spaces come to life, filled with activity and light, is a reminder of what can happen when a city dares to reimagine its edges.” Paul Thompson, Associate Director, RSHP

“Working on Barangaroo from London was a powerful reminder of how design can bridge distance and culture. From the outset, our ambition was to create a masterplan that felt distinctly of Sydney — one that celebrated its light, landscape, and harbour setting while extending the life of the city to the water’s edge. It is the spaces between buildings that make Barangaroo — places where people meet, move, and connect with the water. Barangaroo demonstrates how a clear urban vision, shaped through close collaboration across continents, can deliver lasting public value and a renewed sense of place.” Andrew Partridge, Associate Director, RSHP

Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge Gadi Country - her lands, sea and sky - and the Gadigal people. We acknowledge her custodians — the people of the Grass Tree, their kin the Wangal, Bidjigal, Cabrogal and Cammeraygal, who often visited this Country to connect and share. We offer our deepest respect to their Elders, past and present.