At the heart of Sydney Metro’s expanded Central Station lies a spectacular new public space
The new extension to the Sydney Metro, designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners, can now be accessed beneath its monumental roof structure above the city’s historic Central Station

The City extension to the Sydney Metro opens in August 2024, the latest addition to the city’s underground railroad system. Australia’s largest transport infrastructure project to date, the first tranche of stations opened in 2019 and work will be continuing until 2032 at least, with a total of 113km and 46 stations planned.
The new roof oversails the station building
Sydney Metro's new Central Station concourse
This is the newly refurbished and expanded Central Station, a collaboration between John McAslan + Partners and Woods Bagot and a key interchange on the City & Southwest section of the system. This is already Australia’s busiest railway station, with rail lines that stretch out into the suburbs handling a remarkable 96 per cent of Sydney’s trains. To aid the interchange with the Sydney Metro, a new Northern Concourse has been added, with additional platform and concourse space beneath an oversailing roof.
The new structure juxtaposed against the heritage building
In some respects, the project is similar to John McAslan + Partners’ work at King’s Cross in London, with the dramatic new structure bridging the walls of the existing Edwardian terminus. Designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and George McRae, the original structure dates back to 1906 and is considered one of Sydney’s landmark structures.
The clock tower of the 1906 station can be seen through the new structure
The new spaces integrate the station into the public realm, with escalators, stairs and lifts leading down from street level to a lower-level concourse lit by an array of kite-shaped roof lights punched into the curving structure. The vaulted roof covers an impressive 2,420 sq m, with perforated white aluminium cladding enhancing the restored stone facades and classic detailing of the original station building and the sandstone 1936 Central Electric Building.
The new lower concourse at Sydney Central Station
Around 450,000 people are expected to use this building every day with the new line up and running, a 60 per cent increase on current capacity, and spaciousness, simplicity of navigation and an important first impression were all part of the brief.
Sydney Central Station designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners
As with almost all contemporary urban infrastructure upgrades, the new works have had to be carefully threaded into the urban fabric. The new lower level was made possible by the digging out of a maze of existing pedestrian tunnels. The heritage building is raised up on a new structural plinth, with the new roof oversailing it completely.
Old and new at Sydney Central Station
Such is the lightness of touch that the entire scheme is capable of being removed without any damage to the original structures, but if modern station upgrades are anything to go by, the new concourse will soon become a core part of Sydney’s identity.
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Related article
Sydney Central Station designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners
Sydney Central Station designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Step inside Pauline Karpidas’ London home, a cabinet of curiosities filled with art and design treasures
The British collector is selling the entire contents of her art and design-filled home: take a peek before it goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s in September 2025
-
Boutique London rental development celebrates European courtyard living
London design and development studio Wendover unveils its newest residential project, 20 Newcourt Street, comprising nine apartments; we toured with co-founder Gabriel Chipperfield
-
Compact but far from cuddly, the Abarth 600e is a small but shouty EV with a sting in its tail
Abarth’s second performance electric car, the 600e ramps up the branding to make a bold statement inside and out
-
Boutique London rental development celebrates European courtyard living
London design and development studio Wendover unveils its newest residential project, 20 Newcourt Street, comprising nine apartments; we toured with co-founder Gabriel Chipperfield
-
A refreshed Fulham house balances its history with a series of 21st-century interventions
A Fulham house project by Bureau de Change creates a 21st-century domestic haven through a series of contemporary interventions and a deep connection to the property's historical fabric
-
A garden explaining carbon capture in nature? Head to Kew in London
Kew unveils 'Carbon Garden', a new offering at London's Royal Botanic Gardens that's all about carbon capture within nature; and how plants and soil can be leveraged to help us battle climate change
-
The inimitable Norman Foster: our guide to the visionary architect, shaping the future
Norman Foster has shaped today's London and global architecture like no other in his field; explore his work through our ultimate guide to this most impactful contemporary architect
-
Shard Place offers residents the chance to live in the shadow of London’s tallest building
The 27-storey tower from Renzo Piano Building Workshop joins The Shard and The News Building to complete Shard Quarter, providing a sophisticated setting for renters
-
Kengo Kuma’s ‘Paper Clouds’ in London is a ‘poem’ celebrating washi paper in construction
‘Paper Clouds’, an installation by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is a poetic design that furthers research into the use of washi paper in construction
-
Foster + Partners to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
For the Queen Elizabeth II memorial, Foster + Partners designs proposal includes a new bridge, gates, gardens and figurative sculptures in St James’ Park
-
Wolves Lane Centre brings greenery, growing and grass roots together
Wolves Lane Centre, a new, green community hub in north London by Material Cultures and Studio Gil, brings to the fore natural materials and a spirit of togetherness