Story at a glance:
- A 115-year-old train station has been revived as part of a larger transformation of Sydney’s public transport infrastructure.
- Woods Bagot and John McAslan Partners designed the project to celebrate Sydney’s history while improving pedestrian flow.
A once-in-a-century renovation brought new life and beauty to the 115-year-old Sydney Central Station in 2024. Delivered by Laing O’Rourke and designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan Partners, the award-winning project was more than five years in the making.
The original Walter Vernon–designed Central Station serves 96% of Sydney’s train services, and the upgrade has capacity to accommodate 40,000 metro passengers every hour—a 60% increase on current capacity. New open spaces improved circulation while a Central Walk in the underground concourse was designed to ease congestion and improve pedestrian flow. The walkway connects Chalmers Street and the Sydney Light Rail directly to the new metro platforms as well as providing easier access to many platforms.
“The elemental and material choices for Central are anchored by a deep nostalgia for Sydney’s history,” says Domenic Alvaro, Woods Bagot’s global design director. “The seamless commuter experience made possible by people-centric design rivals iconic train stations in major cities around the world.”
Photo by Trevor Mein
The new North-South Concourse and refurbished Northern Concourse unify the upgrade. Dark pedestrian tunnels are replaced with a light-filled public room in the tradition of the world’s great train halls.
The new Central Station Metro has achieved a 6-Star Green Star Design and As Built rating certification. The refurbished station above has achieved a Leading Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating.
The Central Station upgrade is part of the broader Sydney Metro project, Australia’s biggest public transport project. The total investment in the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project metro is up to $21.6 billion, underscoring the NSW Government’s commitment to modernizing Sydney’s transport network.
The award-winning project is more than five years in the making and is an Edwardian masterpiece that will redefine the future of public transportation in Australia’s largest city.
Photo by Trevor Mein
