Upgrading History: The Rocks Argyle Terrace Courtyard

Written by

Charbel Abousleiman

Urban Planning Lawyer & Buyers Agent

30/08/2024

Placemaking NSW has submitted a major DA to revitalise the Argyle Terrace Courtyard, located in the historic precinct of The Rocks in Sydney at 13 – 17 Playfair Street and 67 George Street.

Managed by Placemaking NSW as Crown Land, the courtyard is renowned for its colonial and Aboriginal heritage. It currently serves as an outdoor dining area and is a key public space in The Rocks.

Nestled against a prominent sandstone rockface, symbolic of the area’s history, the courtyard has become visually cluttered with moveable umbrellas, heaters, planter boxes and other restaurant-related infrastructure. This clutter obstructs views of the natural rock feature and limits pedestrian flow through the space.

Proposed Layout Plan

Placemaking NSW’s DA seeks to upgrade the courtyard in the following ways:

A new weather-proof canopy structure: Designed to improve outdoor dining experiences, this canopy will include integrated heating and lighting to make the space usable in various weather conditions.
Landscaping improvements: The proposal includes the replacement of existing pavement, the installation of new permanent furniture, fixtures and lighting, and upgraded services to enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the space.
Demolition of an existing storage facility: This will make room for improved public circulation and a more streamlined design.

One of the primary goals of the project is to create a more welcoming public space that better serves both locals and visitors to The Rocks. The upgrades aim to improve pedestrian accessibility and movement through the courtyard, providing easier access to the site’s landscape features and the surrounding precinct. The enhancements will also help activate Playfair Street, supporting the area’s weekend markets and vibrant outdoor dining scene.

Subscribe to

Macquarie Park: Lachlan’s Line Grows 24 Storeys Taller

As part of the broader vision for Lachlan’s Line, a 24-storey residential development project has been approved at 3 Halifax Street in Macquarie Park….

Centuria’s Wetherill Park Gem: Redefining Industrial Standards

In the bustling heart of Wetherill Park’s established industrial precinct, a remarkable transformation is taking place….

Breaking Bureaucratic Gridlock to Build Rydalmere’s Future

The NSW Government has launched an ambitious plan to transform the long-vacant 19.4-hectare Rydalmere site into a vibrant mixed-use precinct, aiming to deliver about 2,300…

Talk to us

[email protected]

+61 416 618 244

Find us

Australia Square

Level 44, 264 George Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm | Sat-Sun: Closed