Barangaroo is a new neighborhood in Sydney, Australia. Its name comes from the Aboriginal word for “young woman”. It was previously a port and industrial area. In 2007, the Australian government released plans for this project – to transform it into one of Sydney’s largest urban renewal projects in history. The redevelopment includes new residential apartments, office spaces, public green space, transportation links like parks, bike lanes, and pedestrian streets, and a mix of retail, restaurants, and cafes.
image by theguardian.com
The redevelopment is expected to take 15 years. When it’s finished in 2030, there will be 12 hectares (30 acres) of new parkland for people to enjoy on the waterfront; 20 kilometers (12 miles) of cycle paths linking Barangaroo with Sydney’s central business district; and 200 residential apartments that range from studios up to five-bedroom homes – all designed by world-class architects like Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel.
Here are some fun facts about the neighborhood:
- the public artworks in the area are all named after birds
- there will be a bar on-site when it’s finished, and its name is “The Third Floor”
- Barangaroo Reserve offers three hectares (seven acres) of waterfront parkland that can accommodate up to 20,000 people for major events like outdoor concerts or festivals
- as part of the redevelopment plan, new cafes have been built into existing structures like old factories so they blend into the scenery rather than looking out of place
- one building from Sydney’s industrial past – an unused power station called White Bay Power Station – has been transformed into offices for artists and creatives; their studios offer inspiration as well as workspace to anyone curious about what goes on behind-the-scenes in the creative industry
- one of Barangaroo’s major features is the “Green Spine” – a network of parks and pedestrian streets that will eventually connect to Sydney Harbour Bridge. The spine opens up at Bennelong Point where an iconic new public space has been developed, designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon who also created Sydney Opera House in 1955
The Barangaroo neighborhood is one of the safest in Sydney, with the latest in surveillance and green technology. It is a great place to live, work, or visit.