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The new Sydney Fish Market, the latest iconic addition to Sydney Harbour, has reached a major milestone with construction of the $670 million project complete and the keys handed to the operator for the final fit-out stage.
Stretching over the harbour and ranked as one of the city’s most technically complex projects, alongside Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, the new facility is expected to attract more than six million domestic and international visitors annually with the glass façade providing a front-row seat to the energy of live fish auctions.
“Today’s milestone is an opportunity to reflect on all the hard work that has gone in to to complete this magnificent building on Sydney’s harbour foreshore,” says NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“From today the Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd will take custodianship of the building and get it ready to open to the public on 19 January 2026.
“From when it opens, this world-class building will attract millions of visitors each year and provide an enormous boost to our economy.
“Thank you to everyone who has slogged away at completing this incredible building that we can all be so proud of.”
The new structure stands on 481 marine piles, 6,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement, with more than 400 roof cassettes and 594 glulam timber beams delivered by barge from Glebe Island. This also helped the building set a new benchmark for sustainability by removing more than 5,650 truck movements on local roads.
The roof’s design allows sunlight during the day to illuminate upper levels, collect rainwater for recycling and generate energy via solar panels to offset the building’s energy consumption.
Sydneysiders can expect the Sydney Fish Market building to also become a part of the city’s cultural celebrations as the roof can be lit up with multi-coloured LED lights for special events.
Apart from its purpose as a functioning fish market, the property will deliver more than 6,000sqm of accessible public domain, with the site’s cultural and historical storytelling integrated throughout the Civic Plaza with five creative installations that honour the area’s First Nations heritage and its industrial past.
Underneath the building, seawall tiles, coral panels and hanging fish habitats have been installed to support marine life in Blackwattle Bay.
The Sydney Fish Market will also double the existing Pyrmont facility’s retail space, providing a mix of local seafood traders, specialty food retailers and diverse dining options, from casual takeaway to premium waterfront restaurants.
Celebrity chefs Luke Nguyen and Ho Jiak are among the operators confirmed for the new facility, along with Toru Ryu from Restaurant 16 who will bring his signature kaiseki flair to a new venue.
“With construction now complete retailers are now making the final touches on their spaces so they’re ready to welcome the public on 19 January,” says NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.
“The new Sydney Fish Market will be a vibrant hub of activity which will showcase world class fresh and cooked seafood for locals and visitors alike in no time.”
Construction of the Sydney Fish Market, which was undertaken by Multiplex, has been under way since 2020. The project is estimated to have created more than 700 jobs during the construction phase and is set to support about 700 jobs when completed.
The project also has delivered about $670 million in contracts to Australian businesses over the course of its development.
David Ghannoum, the ACT/NSW regional managing director for Multiplex, describes the handover to Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd as a “defining milestone” for the building giant.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Multiplex team and our broader project partners who have brought this landmark destination to life,” says Ghannoum.
“Throughout construction, we’ve delivered a range of complex elements, from a watertight, hydrostatic basement carpark built four metres below sea level in Blackwattle Bay, to the largest glulam timber roof in the southern hemisphere.
“The project has also been built with sustainability in mind, using HVO100 renewable diesel in our tower cranes and partnering with Seabin to help improve the marine environment.
“Delivering a project of this scale is a true testament to the grit, resilience, and collaboration of our team. It’s an achievement we’ll carry proudly in our portfolio for years to come.”
Sydney Fish Market CEO Daniel Jarosch says ahead of next year’s opening, he is expecting locals will flock to the current Pyrmont facility during the holiday period.
“Sydneysiders will enjoy a last hurrah at the existing fish market over the busy festive season, while we work behind the scenes for a seamless transition to our outstanding new home,” he says.
“With construction now complete, we’re thrilled to be one step closer to our move into the new Sydney Fish Market - a world-class, state-of-the-art facility that will proudly showcase Sydney on the global stage.
“We’re excited to see our retailers’ impressive fit-outs come to life ahead of opening early in the new year.”
Sydney Fish Market was designed by Danish firm 3XN/GXN Architects, in association with Australia's BVN and Aspect Studios.
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