Set to be seen by 6 million people annually, the new Sydney Fish Market has reached a major milestone with the final roof panel being installed on top of the 200-metre-long floating roof canopy.
The NSW Government said the relocation of the iconic fish market in Blackwattle Bay is Sydney’s most significant harbourside building since the Opera House was completed in 1973.
After significant delays which pushed back the opening from last year to late 2025, the opening of the surrounding Bays Precinct into a world-class facility, including the Sydney Fish Market, will attract global attention.
“The revamped market will be truly spectacular, offering a world-class, authentic seafood for an expected 6 million annual local and international visitors – ensuring it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations on offer in our harbour city,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“Excitement around the new Sydney Fish Market is growing every day as this spectacular new building, now with a completed roof, comes to life at the head of Blackwattle Bay.”
The new Sydney Fish Market will offer a mix of retail, dining and community spaces, including fresh seafood market, restaurants, and a seafood school. The new market will create a hub for both locals and tourists, celebrating Sydney’s reputation as a global seafood destination.
The only other fish market to attract such significant numbers is Tokyo Central Tsukiji Wholesale Market. At its peak Tsukiji had around 40,000 visitors a day. The inner Tsukiji market relocated to Toyosu in October 2018. But the outer market remained as Chūō, the Tokyo municipality where Tsukiji is located, built Tsukiji Uogashi, a new facility where around 60 businesses that relied on Tsukiji markets, are now located.
Three of the Australia’s biggest developers are now eyeing off the old Sydney Fish Market with as many as 1100 new apartments set to rise from the site adjacent to the Anzac Bridge on ramp.
Lendlease, Mirvac and Stockland are vying for the job of creating as much as $1.5 billion in real estate across several towers that will have uninterrupted views across Blackwattle Bay.
The new fish market design
The new Sydney Fish Market is key to the transformation of Blackwattle Bay, which will unlock a connected waterfront promenade from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo, 1,100 homes on the old fish market site and more than 6,000sqm of public space, improving pedestrian and cycling links.
Designed by renowned architects 3XN, who worked with Sydney firms BVN and Aspect Studios, the new Sydney Fish Market is a purpose built, authentic operating fish market, and will be a major food and dining attraction on Sydney’s inner harbour. The design features a distinctive wave-shaped and scale-patterned roof that pays homage to the fishing industry.
The new market also represents a $750 million injection of support into the national seafood industry.
The roof’s supporting structure, completed in December 2024, comprises 594 timber roof beams with the longest beams up to 32 metres in length. Combined with more than 400 roof panels, the roof weighs 2,500 tonnes and requires some finishing touches including waterproofing, which will follow in the weeks ahead.
“Today marks a significant milestone with the completion of the roof at the new Sydney Fish Market, a testament to world-class engineering and design,” Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, said.
“The roof not only enhances the market’s aesthetic with its magnificent wave-like form now in place, but also the environmental sustainability of the building.
“It is incredibly exciting to have reached this stage in the build and start work on finishes. We’re on the home stretch now and getting closer to being able to set foot in the new Sydney Fish Market, which will be an icon for Sydney and a destination for all.”
