Redevelopment of Riverside Theatres

The redevelopment of Riverside Theatres is one of the most exciting cultural development projects to be undertaken in NSW in years. Architects and designers have contributed their ingenuity, innovation, imagination, creativity and design talent to shape the future of a reimagined Riverside Theatres. 

The highly anticipated winning design, led by COX Architecture with 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio and Bangawarra, will more than double Riverside Theatres’ current capacity. With an iconic design, the venue will become a world-class performing arts centre, welcoming more than 400,000 visitors per year. The reimagined Riverside Theatres is designed with First Nations-inspired interiors, crafted with global best-practice standards, with a strong focus on accessibility and artistic flexibility. 

The proposed design respects Parramatta’s rich cultural heritage, thoughtfully integrating contemporary architecture with elements that honour the area’s historical significance, creating a harmonious blend of past and present. The sophisticated, First Nations-inspired design is proposed to feature:

• A 1500-seat Broadway-style lyric theatre;
• A refurbished 700-seat Riverside Playhouse theatre;
• A new 325-seat black-box drama theatre;
• A state-of-the-art 100-seat digital cinema and studio;
• New and enhanced public foyers, bars and function spaces;
• A strong focus on accessibility and sustainability;
• All new loading dock, back-of-house, technical and performer spaces with a focus on inclusivity and universal access for staff and performers.

Construction of the reimagined Riverside Theatres will start in late 2025, with doors to Western Sydney’s newest performing arts centre set to open in 2028.

For the latest project updates visit the Riverside Theatres website.