Piers 8&9 Walsh Bay - home
The heritage Piers 8&9 wharf buildings at Walsh Bay with the Sydney CBD skyline behind

A premium indoor business events and function centre.

A new premium indoor business events and function centre by Navarra Venues is proposed for the iconic Piers 8&9 in Walsh Bay.

The heritage-sensitive design, led by Sissons Architects with heritage advice from Curio Projects, will deliver a versatile waterfront events space focused on business functions, corporate conferences, exhibitions and conventions. The venue space, previously only accessible to commercial tenants, will provide opportunities for more members of the public to experience the unique Piers 8&9 heritage interiors and spectacular waterfront position and harbour views.

The venue will give local Sydney businesses a new choice for corporate functions and conferences right on the CBD doorstep. It will also attract interstate and international business visitors, allowing them to experience Sydney's rare waterfront cultural heritage precinct in one of the most desirable locations in Australia, delivering a genuine boost to business tourism and the visitor economy.

A Development Application for works to enable the new business events and function centre has been lodged with the City of Sydney. Subject to planning consent, works are expected to commence in late 2026 with the venue opening around the middle of 2027.

Applicant
Markham
Operator
Navarra Venues
Design
Sissons Architects
Heritage
Curio Projects
Artist impression of the proposed venue interior at Piers 8&9, with heritage timber trusses and harbour views
Artist impression of the proposed venue interior.
Artist impression of Piers 8&9 with proposed gantries and staircases on the eastern side of the building
Artist impression of the proposed gantries and staircases.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening?

Markham, the owner of Lots 1 & 2, Piers 8&9, has lodged a Development Application with the City of Sydney to refurbish part of the existing office space at Piers 8&9 into a premium indoor business events and function centre operated by Navarra Venues.

When will the works start and finish?

Subject to planning consent, the works are expected to commence in late 2026 with the venue opening around the middle of 2027.

What type of venue is being created?

The venue is designed as a versatile high-quality function and events space that will primarily target corporate conferences, business functions, exhibitions, conventions and corporate marketing events.

How will the heritage be protected?

Piers 8&9 form part of the Walsh Bay Wharves Precinct, which is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. A Heritage Impact Assessment has been submitted with the DA, and the project heritage consultants, Curio Projects, will continue to be involved during construction.

A Construction Management Plan will be developed for the works, and include specific protocols to safeguard heritage fabric such as using padding, hoardings, etc.

The construction methodology and design has been developed not only to protect the heritage significance of Piers 8&9, but to actively enhance it. Key works, such as the removal of the modern Level 3 office floor, will reveal and celebrate original features (including the double-height volumes) that have been hidden by later alterations.

While the building has been successfully conserved and maintained through commercial office use, the new venue will reintroduce a substantial public function, allowing more people to directly experience and engage with the building’s heritage values.

How are you managing any impacts on nearby residents?

An extensive acoustics study has informed the venue design and operating hours to mitigate potential impacts on neighbour amenity. Design and operational measures include:

  • The new lifts, gantries and stairs are for primary access to the venue together with improved fire egress.
  • There is limited balcony and gantry access until 10pm only, and we will construct extra-height side glazed shields to contain noise to the east.
  • Indoors, the evening events will conclude within approved operating hours to provide sufficient time for patrons to depart the premises.
  • A Plan of Management has been prepared, requiring arrivals and departures to occur from the Piers 9 (most westerly) side.
  • Uber/ride-share pick-up points are located directly across the road on the western side.
What are the trading hours?

The DA seeks approval for indoor operating hours of: Monday to Wednesday and Sunday 7am–11pm; Thursday to Saturday 7am–12am. These are consistent with the City of Sydney's Local Centre Area framework. The operator will ensure that events conclude within the approved operating hours, leaving sufficient time for visitors to depart from the premises; with post-event procedures such as clearing and close-down will be undertaken in a manner that minimises noise impacts.

Other Walsh Bay venues with similar trading include Lavana Restaurant, Lounieh Restaurant, Ventuno Restaurant and Elements Restaurant and Bar.

Contact us.