Once a cavernous concrete void beneath Barangaroo Reserve, The Cutaway has officially emerged as Sydney’s newest cultural showpiece—a world-class underground venue designed for round-the-clock creativity and connection.
The NSW Government has unveiled the completed transformation of the 10,000-square-metre space, positioning it as a major new hub for arts, performance and exhibitions. Set to operate 24/7, the Cutaway marks the next stage in Barangaroo’s evolution into one of Sydney’s most dynamic creative precincts.
The Cutaway: A Dedicated Space For The Arts
Delivered by Infrastructure NSW with architects fjcstudio and First Nations collaborators Shannon Foster and Jake Nash, the Cutaway’s fitout blends striking architecture with deep cultural storytelling and sustainability principles.
At its centre are 13 sculptural timber “trees” surrounding the venue’s concrete pillars—nine in the main hall, three in the pre‑function space and one at the entrance—all intricately assembled from hundreds of timber pieces, some weighing close to a tonne.
A soaring sandstone wall, rising 14 metres and opening to the sky, brings natural light into the space while preserving the original geological character of Barangaroo’s headland.
Moreover, three skylights, made from 98 custom glass panels stretching 76 metres in total, bathe the venue in daylight. A bronze spiral staircase spirals between levels like a floating sculpture, offering a visual anchor amid the venue’s open expanse.
Built For Sustainability & Accessibility
Targeting a 6‑Star Green Star Buildings rating (As‑Built), the Cutaway is powered entirely by renewable energy. It uses seawater from Sydney Harbour to naturally cool the building and shares infrastructure with the new Barangaroo Metro Station.
Moreover, the design takes a carbon-smart approach, retaining the sandstone wall and roof opening to maximise solar access, minimising environmental impact and using low-toxicity materials to reduce indoor pollutants.
It also delivers full accessibility, featuring step-free entry from the station and a certified Changing Places facility that supports universal access.
“We’ve created a venue that truly belongs to everyone,” said Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully. “It’s a place where Sydney can gather for culture, music and celebration.”
Sydney’s New Creative Hub
Meanwhile, across its two mezzanine levels, the Cutaway includes a main event hall, gallery and exhibition rooms, a commercial kitchen, back-of-house amenities and acoustically engineered glazing for premium sound—ideal for everything from live concerts and festivals to art shows and community events.
Minister for the Arts John Graham called it “the large-scale, flexible cultural space Sydney has been missing—perfectly connecting the city and serving both performers and audiences.”
With Barangaroo Metro Station just steps away, visitors from the city’s west and south‑west will soon reach the Cutaway in about 30 minutes, expanding access for communities across Greater Sydney.
Free Opening Weekend This May
The Cutaway will make its public debut with a free weekend of live music, tours and workshops from 30th-31st May before opening for official bookings from August.
“The Cutaway joins the Opera House as one of the city’s great cultural and event spaces—a place that will draw visitors, investment and creative energy into Sydney,” said Premier Chris Minns.
As Sydney continues to reawaken its night‑time and creative economies, the revival of this once‑unused space signals a fresh chapter for the city’s waterfront—one that’s as sustainable as it is spectacular.
