Sydney's laneway revitalisation program is to gain another four areas as the city embraces its inner-Melbourne feel and caters for the growth of residents in coming years.
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The City of Sydney started the program in 2008 with an initial $10 million cash injection and now has nine areas which have benefited from major infrastructure.
There are now four more that are earmarked for completion by early next year. These will include upgrades at Wilmot Street, the lane connecting George and Pitt Street, which is almost complete; early works at Tank Stream Way and Abercrombie Lane, also underway and the upgrade of Central Street, which also connects George and Pitt streets, which starts in a few weeks.
Melbourne has had the rub on Sydney over laneway occupation for many years, but the changes in legislation in Sydney a decade ago, has allowed the developments –which Sydneysiders and bar operators have embraced.
One of the busiest is Angel Place and Ash Street and the surrounds where bird cages, bars restaurants and the Justin Hemmes Ivy bar, make it a busy area, day and night.
Hemmes, the chief executive of the Merivale Group said he had seen a shift to a more pedestrian and night-time friendly city centre.
"The city's support in activating the laneway structures and its upgrade initiatives have proven to be extremely successful," said Hemmes.
The same offerings will be available at the Barangaroo development.
Andrew Wilson, Barangaroo South's managing director, and Gary Horwitz, head of retail for Lend Lease said laneways will be an important and "integral" feature of the area. These will range from baristas and small bars to signature restaurants around the alley ways and laneways planned in the $6 billion development.
Liberty Place, between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets, where ANZ and lawyers Freehills is also a buzzing area, with the adjoining laneways busy with workers and those seeking respite from the busy city streets.
Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the rejuvenation of Sydney's laneways complements the city's aim to support business.
"The success of the new laneways and nearby businesses meant Sydney was fast cementing its reputation as a world-class creative and cultural destination," Moore said.
The laneway regeneration program uses public art displays to recast the once dark, dirty and underused thoroughfares into welcoming public spaces. The artworks have become drawcards in their own right.
Three of the works – In Between Two Worlds at Kimber Lane in China Town, Circles in the Round in Temperance Lane and the award-winning Forgotten Songs at Angel Place – have proved so popular, they have become permanent installations.
