One of Sydney’s most anticipated and significant developments is one step closer to fruition, after nearly a decade of plans and promises. The new Sydney Fish Market has been teased at since 2017 when it was announced that the venue would receive a $250 million makeover and a sleek new site.

The project will see the markets relocated from its existing space in Pyrmont to a nearby wharf in Blackwattle Bay, with three levels – including a waterproof basement parking lot – anchored deep into the sea bed. 

The harbourfront shopping, dining, and produce market was initially slated to reopen in 2024, with a quarter-million dollar investment by the NSW Government. Seven years and $750 million later, the final pieces of the new Sydney Fish Markets continue to move at a glacial pace.

Ongoing tensions between the government, developers, and the merchants who co-own and occupy the site may have slowed construction significantly, but a March project update announcing that the basement is complete, as well as 90 percent of the lower ground level, 40 percent of the upper ground level, and – as of this month – assembly of the roof is underway.  

Despite this construction milestone, with the proposed 2023 deadline in the rearview mirror and the nebulous 2024 deadline creeping ever closer, a last-minute dispute was lodged in February this year by co-owners, the Sydney Fish Market Tenants and Merchants. The dispute requires independent review as merchants seek reassurance that developer Multiplex would deliver tenant requirements. 

Disagreements on the overall design, contractual obligations, and questions over who is responsible for functional features like air conditioning and food safety measures have meant that leasing agreements for potential new vendors cannot be formally confirmed and existing vendors are shy to vacate. A representative from Sydney Fish Market tells delicious. “Unfortunately we are bound by confidentiality on those topics due to the lease tender process still being in progress.”

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This deadlock hasn’t stopped rumours from swirling and excited new tenants from letting a few things slip. With such premium real estate on the line, vendors like Luke Nguyen (Botanic House) and Malaysian restaurateur Junda Khoo (Ho Jiak) have allegedly been happy to whisper about their signed leases.

Word also has it that Fish Market vendor GetFish is working on Australia’s longest sushi train as well as an intimate private dining space.

It may just be rumours at this point, however a real estate listing from late March indicates that only six retail spaces remain vacant at the new Sydney Fish Market site, while an agreement settled by former chairman of the Sydney Fish Market, Grahame Turk all but guarantees existing vendors will enjoy a 10-year grandfather lease at the new premises – an offer not available to new tenants. 

Existing tenants have also been reluctant to vacate their long-held spots until fit-out demands are met, meaning redevelopment of the old Sydney Fish Markets site is slow-going.

delicious. has contacted representatives from Sydney Fish Markets and Retail Strategy Group who are yet to respond.

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