Sydney Fish Market

The new Sydney Fish Market is set to become one Sydney most important social and tourist destinations. A flagship project for the New South Wales government, it will boost tourism and support the fishing industry while creating a world-class tourist and cultural attraction.

Located in Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont—just two kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD—the market is the third-largest fish market in the world. Its ambitious redevelopment has been designed by Danish firm 3XN/GXN in collaboration with local architects BVN, it is being delivered by Mutlipex and a team of local engineers and consultants.

A standout feature of the new market is its striking 230-metre-long, wave-like timber roof, engineered by Theca Timber’s partners, Rubner. Made from 1,800 m³ of spruce glue-laminated timber (GLT) and over 50 tons of steel, the roof’s sweeping form ties the entire structure together, giving the market a bold and elegant identity.

The roof consists of 594 timber beams, some as long as 32 metres and weighing up to 7 tonnes. Each beam is factory-coated with a no-VOC multi-layer coating system, ensuring minimal maintenance, even in a marine environment.

“Glulam was selected for its durability, resilience, and aesthetic appeal, adding a natural finish to the project,” an InfrastructureNSW representative government said.

More than just an architectural statement, the roof plays a crucial role in the market’s sustainability strategy. Designed to collect rainwater for reuse and harness solar energy, it also uses natural ventilation to extract warm air while shielding workers from harsh southerly winds. Sustainability extends to logistics. The European GLT beams were shipped as single elements in the hull of a bulk cargo carrier and delivered by barge—never touching Australian roads. This approach minimised pollution and reduced disruption to the local community.

As Rubner’s partners in Australia, Theca Timber was involved from the early stages, providing expertise to help Multiplex accurately price the project during the tender phase. The key challenge was ensuring the most efficient and sustainable transport method while enabling rapid manufacuring and on-site assembly. Theca Timber and Rubner supported Multiplex with advanced timber construction expertise, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) strategies, and a sophisticated transport methodology—playing a crucial role in securing the winning bid.