ICC Darling Harbour Sydney

Spread over 250,000 square metres in the heart of Sydney, ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour is a global benchmark in convention, exhibition and entertainment venues, and an important city-shaping project.

Hassell worked closely with Infrastructure NSW, NSW Dept of Planning and the City of Sydney on the urban design framework for the entire precinct, which features revitalised public spaces, parkland and better pedestrian, cycling and public transport connections.

Joint venture partners Hassell + Populous worked together to design the new convention, exhibition and entertainment venues for Sydney, taking inspiration from the site’s spectacular city and harbour surrounds as well as Cockle Bay’s / Tumbalong history.

At its heart, the project is about the value of interaction, collaboration and connection. A city’s most engaging areas thrive on a real mix of activities, functioning as places where residents can genuinely work, live and play alongside visitors.

Darling Harbour is that kind of place. It transforms a critical part of Sydney, creates a more inclusive experience for visitors and locals, and opens up opportunities to revitalise adjoining neighbourhoods.

UNIQUE VENUES THAT FORM A COHESIVE WHOLE

The three world-class ICC Sydney venues create a cohesive overall precinct, while at the same time giving each building its own personality and unique architectural character – from the cool reflective style of the Convention Centre, through the warm natural features of the Exhibition Centre, to the vibrant energy of the Theatre.

ICC Sydney Convention Centre

Adjacent to Cockle Bay, the convention centre’s crystalline glass façade reflects light and the sparkle of the water. The venue boasts Australia’s largest ballroom catering for 2,000 patrons, plus more than 70 meeting rooms, three theatres, a multi-purpose event space, a media centre, VIP areas and business suites. It can hold three concurrent international conferences with up to 4,250 delegates.

ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre

The design for this venue creates the first multi-storey and largest exhibition centre in Australia – with the floor space over the two floors of halls equivalent to 26 Olympic-size swimming pools. Our design dramatically reduces the venue’s immense, 150,000sqm scale by integrating it into its terraced park surrounds, concealing the massive loading dock of the building.

ICC Sydney Theatre

Every seat is a good seat in the ICC Sydney Theatre. Our fan-shaped design provides the 8,000-strong audience with optimal views from every position, while the expansive stage can accommodate rock concerts and other large-scale entertainment events. When converted to a general access floor mode, the venue can accommodate up to 9,000 people.

FLEXIBLE, CONNECTED PLACES BRING MORE BENEFITS TO SYDNEY

The ICC Sydney precinct, designed for maximum flexibility, attracts a constant flow of people, generating vital social, economic, and environmental benefits for Sydney. The 20-hectare waterfront area has become a true ​‘people magnet’, where locals and visitors alike gather to relax, conduct business, be entertained, and enjoy city life.

The area’s transformation was a pivotal urban renewal project: a once-in-a-generation chance to create a ​‘must-see’ destination with world-class venues, tied together by parks, plazas, and paths. For our design team, getting it right meant capturing the hearts and minds of people. Every decision focused on how to draw them in and keep them coming back, day after day.

And that’s precisely what’s happened. The area is now bustling with 24/7 activity - families play, professionals attend conferences, music fans enjoy open-air concerts, and communities gather for festivals. The precinct is intuitive to navigate and compelling to experience, readily accommodating a broad range of users and events.

Beyond the activity, the renewal of Darling Harbour makes Sydney a more connected city. New cycling and walking routes, alongside better transport links, make it significantly easier to reach the precinct’s once-disconnected neighbourhoods, the harbour, and the city centre.