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The Brewery

Discover the innovative Brewery Yards at Central Park, Sydney's premier $2 billion mixed-use precinct

Sunday 3 November 2024

10am–5pm

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Adaptive Reuse program

Buy your Tickets

Adaptive Reuse Program

About the building

Building information

Discover the innovative Brewery Yard at Central Park, Sydney's premier $2 billion mixed-use precinct. As the final piece in this transformative development, The Brewery stands at the heart of the Sydney Innovation and Technology Precinct – the largest of its kind in Australia. This cutting-edge space merges historical charm with modern sustainability, offering six floors of commercial workspace alongside vibrant retail and hospitality areas.

Originally the Carlton United Brewery, the site has been meticulously reimagined through adaptive reuse, preserving its heritage while integrating state-of-the-art technology. Key features include an elegant trigeneration plant that provides efficient power, heating and cooling while reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 180,000 tonnes over 25 years.

Sydney Open attendees will be among the first to explore this landmark, which showcases how heritage buildings can be revitalised to meet contemporary needs. Don’t miss your chance to experience this blend of history and innovation, and witness how The Brewery is setting new standards in urban regeneration.

What makes it unique?

A sensitive integration of old and new to futureproof an emerging precinct.

The adaptive reuse of the Carlton & United Brewery Yard, located in the centre of Central Park, demonstrates the importance Tzannes places on sustainability, innovation and collaboration. It is the largest group of retained heritage buildings on site and will provide the most direct representation of the brewery that existed on the site until 2005.

Rather than enclosing the trigeneration plant in the building, an expressive and elegant new element was created on top. The form was derived from the integration of the complex profile of the existing roofline to a more organic geometric form of the plant equipment required at roof level.

The development demonstrates how a highly efficient and progressive power generation technology can deliver gas-generated electricity, including hot and cold water, to the surrounding precinct. Designed within a heritage context, this development achieves significant community benefits, as well as creating a new landmark for the precinct.

The trigeneration energy supply is modelled to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 180,000 tonnes over the 25-year life of the plant.

Tzannes has worked with Icon Construction, IP Generation and Johnstaff to design and deliver the final stage of the Brewery Yard. The original goal for Central Park is being realised with the Brewery Yard repurposed to serve as the anchor to the public domain and urban square for the precinct.

Built

Redeveloped in 2024

Architect

Tzannes

Director: Alec Tzannes & Ben Green

Owner: IP Generation

Contractor: Icon

Heritage: Urbis

Awards

The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies – International Architecture, 2016

UNESCO – New Design in Heritage Contexts Cultural Heritage Conservation, 2016

AIA (NSW) – Lachlan Macquarie Heritage Award, 2015

AIA (NSW) – Heritage Architecture – Creative Adaptation, 2015

Find out more about this building here

The Brewery

5 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale

Entry details

What's open

Ground floor retail and public domain

Opening hours

10am–5pm

Last entry

4.30pm

Need to Know
Accessible features
Accessible areas available
Accessible toilets are available here
Toilets available
Toilets are available at Central Park
Photography allowed
Photography allowed in public domain areas only
Food and drink available
Yes, multiple outlets. Check out Eat Street, Kensington Street

Talks, tours and more

3pmIn Conversation: Visionaries of Adaptive Reuse1 hourCapacity: 90

Join us for an insightful discussion with some of the architects who have redefined adaptive reuse in Sydney. The distinguished panel includes Alec Tzannes, Tim Greer and Elizabeth Carpenter, three practitioners who have embedded sustainable and adaptive reuse practices into Sydney’s architectural fabric. Around the world, architects and planners adapt abandoned spaces and heritage buildings for new and contemporary uses. Not only is this a practical way to preserve the past and spearhead urban renewal, it’s also a great way to tap into local histories; build dynamic, flourishing new communities; and breathe new life into entire neighbourhoods.    In this engaging conversation, our panellists will explore the essential elements of creating enduring architecture. They will reflect on how the sustainability movement of the early 2000s shaped their approach, highlighting the role of collaboration, perseverance and adaptability in their successful projects. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the social histories behind these iconic sites and hear candid reflections on the projects’ evolution and transformation. This is a rare opportunity to gain firsthand insights from the architects who have played a pivotal role in shaping Sydney’s urban landscape. As we hear about their experiences, we will also explore what they might have done differently and their visionary aspirations for the city’s future. Speakers: Dr Tim Greer, Founding Director, TZG Alec Tzannes, Director, Tzannes Elizabeth Carpenter, fjcstudio Tickets: Drop-in. This event is exclusive to Sydney Open ticketholders, with limited availability. Meet at The Private Kitchen, Kensington Street, Chippendale, at 2.45pm for a 3pm start. Capacity: 90