Darling Harbour Live – Sydney International Convention Centre
Project Overview
The Capella Capital-led consortium financed, designed, constructed and now maintains and manages the project in a PPP with the NSW Government delivering Australia’s largest convention and exhibition facilities situated at the intersection of Sydney’s academic, cultural and technology precincts.
The Darling Harbour Live consortium brings together valued partners comprising Capella Capital, Lendlease, Legends Global, Hostplus, Aware Super and Downer/Spotless that, together, have worked hand in hand with the NSW Government – Placemaking NSW to provide this critical infrastructure.
The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has celebrated its 10th year of operations having reached completion ahead of schedule and within budget in December 2016.
The venue has successfully hosted international and national conferences and exhibitions, concerts, shows and other events including hosting international dignitaries, numerous heads of state, royalty, business leaders, sports stars and celebrities from all corners of the globe.
Since 2016, this landmark venue has held more than 4,100 events with attendances of nearly eight million patrons, generating an economic contribution to NSW worth more than $3.75 billion.
The project has also achieved numerous awards including a 6-Star Green Star Design rating by Green Building Council of Australia and three prestigious architecture awards, one of which was an International Architecture Award for Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture from the Chicago Athenaeum. The total awards won by the Consortium partners total 114 to date.
Project Benefits
Design and Innovation
- The buildings include one of Australia’s largest solar arrays within a central business district, incorporated into the roof of the facilities and was the first community-funded solar energy project of its kind in Australia.
- Fixtures and fittings that minimise water use, such as toilets and taps, were included in ICC Sydney’s original design.
- Since opening in late 2016, ICC Sydney’s kitchen has operated using the eWater system, an Australian owned company which supplies electrolysis units to generate sustainable and effective alternatives to harmful cleaning products.
- All ICC Sydney venues are seamlessly connected via the Level 2 concourse, which is fully accessible, stair-free, and gradient compliant. Multiple lifts and elevator access points are available throughout the precinct.
Sustainability
- The PV Array System currently provide 5% of base load used in the facilities.
- 2026 EarthCheck Silver Certification
- Rainwater is harvested, with reclaimed water used for irrigation and toilet flushing.
- The Facilities has engaged Exergenics to carry out optimisation project on the Chilled Water Plant at ICC Sydney. Exergenics create a baseline of energy consumption based on usage over a period of time. AI software is then used to implement changes to the system to provide multiple incremental changes thus delivering optimum energy usage.
- Downer has engaged two separate organisations (HAL and Brightspace) to assist in our Building Optimisation Program. This AI based program has been set up as a trial in the Gallery and Parkside spaces and is designed to minimise energy wastage (from HVAC system) in event spaces by analysing pedestrian movement within the required spaces.
Community engagement and enhancement
- Transformed the Event Deck into a vibrant recreational precinct featuring eight purpose-built pickleball courts.
- ICC Sydney is home to a superb collection of Australian art both inside the venue and throughout the public domain. An important part of Sydney’s heritage, the works have a Sydney emphasis with artists and their works initially chosen because of their connection to Sydney or the celebration of Sydney, its harbour and shorelines.
Project Facts
Awards
- 2014 IPA – National Infrastructure Awards– Winner Advisory Excellence – Capella Capital for Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct
- 2017 PPP Awards – Best Operational Project– Gold Winner – Darling Harbour Live, International Convention Centre Sydney
- 2017 IPA – National Infrastructure Awards– Project of the Year – International Convention Centre Sydney
- 2018 Property Council of Australia and the Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards - Best Public Building
- 2019 Good Design Awards - Gold Award for Architectural Design: Urban
- 2025 NSW Tourism Awards – Gold – Business Event Venues
