Macquarie Street East Precinct
Macquarie Street East – where Sydney's rich Aboriginal and modern history comes to life where arts and culture thrive. Be educated. Be entertained. Be surprised.
Our vision
Steeped in history, Macquarie Street East will tell the cultural, civic and heritage story of Sydney to a global audience. Established institutions in heritage-listed buildings operating alongside new cultural attractions will deliver experiences that entertain and educate, day and night.
Macquarie Street East Precinct vision
Open and accessible, Macquarie Street East will embrace and enhance the city's arts and cultural offering.
We have developed the Macquarie Street East Precinct Master Plan in collaboration with architectural firm, Hassell. You can view the master plan in both an accessible format and Hassell’s full architectural format.
Macquarie Street East
The Macquarie Street East Precinct is on Gadigal land. We recognise that although the land has been changed by concrete, steel and bitumen, the Gadigal people still care for this Country and their Ancestors continue to walk this land.
We recognise our responsibility as the current caretakers of the Macquarie Street East Precinct to respect both this Country and those who belong to it. We strive to create spaces in the Macquarie Street East precinct that are welcoming and safe for all, especially First Nations peoples, whose cultures are valued as being deeply integral to this place.
Located within the national heritage-listed Governor's Domain and Civic Precinct, Macquarie Street East today forms the crossroads of Sydney's cultural and civic spine.
In March 2023, we published a Macquarie Street East Precinct Master Plan (PDF 19.56MB) setting a 30-year vision for the precinct, including transformation of the government buildings and institutions along Macquarie Street. The master plan explores potential uses of the spaces and sets guidelines for its evolution into a world-leading cultural, arts and creative destination for Sydney.
The precinct between Sydney's CBD and The Domain has some of Australia's most significant institutions and heritage buildings:
- The World Heritage-Listed Hyde Park Barracks
- The Mint
- State Library of NSW
- Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital
- Hospital Road Courthouse
- Parliament of NSW
- The Australian Museum
- Registrar General's Building
- Chief Secretary's Building.
What's happening now
- A development application has been lodged with the City of Sydney to transform the State Library of NSW forecourt into a new 3,400 square metre public domain.
- An early works program is currently underway at the Registrar General's Building.
- In October 2023, the government unveiled a Blue Plaque at the Registrar General's Building, commemorating former NSW Government architect, Walter Liberty Vernon. Vernon designed the building in 1908, which was completed in 1913.
- In August 2024, the NSW Government unveiled a Blue Plaque at the Chief Secretary's Building. It honours trailblazer and pioneer Kathleen Muriel Butler for her role in conceiving and developing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Background
A Macquarie Street East Precinct review (PDF 7.43MB), led by former prime minister Paul Keating and former chief commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission, Lucy Turnbull, saw its unrealised potential. It could be more welcoming to both visitors and Sydneysiders. The precinct lacks vibrancy and connectivity, and is hard to navigate.
As the revitalisation of the precinct progresses, we are mindful of preserving and honouring the past. We will shape a legacy that stands the test of time, always considering connection to Country and a sustainable future.
In June 2021, funding was allocated for the first phase of permanent precinct transformation.
Have your say on the State Library of NSW public domain proposal
We have lodged a development application with the City of Sydney to transform the State Library of NSW forecourt into a new 3,400 square metre public domain for the people of Sydney.
The plans seek to integrate public art and native plants around a new grassed plaza that supports library events and community activities. It will double the size of the current forecourt to create a vibrant new public space within Sydney’s CBD.
The works also propose to realign Sir John Young Crescent and Hospital Road, improving safety for pedestrians and drivers and providing better links to the Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain.
The new State Library forecourt proposal seeks to deliver benefits for the community aligned with the Macquarie Street East Precinct 20-year vision and master plan.
The proposal is currently on public exhibition with the City of Sydney. To find out more and have your say, visit ePlanning D/2024/868.
Registrar General's Building
The NSW Government is transforming the Macquarie Street East Precinct in Sydney's central business district, including one of its iconic architectural landmarks, the historic Registrar General’s Building. The building was originally the central place to record births, deaths, marriages and land ownership in the state. It was added to the State Heritage Register in 1999.
The Registrar General's Building – also the former home of the Land Titles Office – is a significant part of Sydney's architectural heritage. This work will restore and protect its unique character.
In October 2023, the NSW Government unveiled a Blue Plaque commemorating Walter Liberty Vernon. Vernon designed the building in 1908, which was completed in 1913.
Vernon served as the NSW Government Architect from 1890 to 1911. He designed several other stately buildings in Sydney, including Central Station, the original David Jones department store, Long Bay Prison, and the Mitchell Wing at the State Library of NSW. His works, often displaying his love of yellow sandstone, envisioned and helped shape the look of present-day Sydney.
Set to continue until late-2024, an early works program is currently underway at the Registrar General's Building, including:
- removal of later additions to the building
- heritage conservation works
- a new pedestrian link between the central business district and The Domain, restoring curtilage to the World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks.
The NSW and Australian governments are progressing the creation of a new public open space next to the building. Announced in September 2022 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the new public open space will honour Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her lifetime of service to the people of NSW.
Planning for the design and delivery of the open space is progressing separately and will need separate approvals.