The Timberyards
A vibrant new community precinct housing NSW's largest build-to-rent project.
Introduction
The Timberyards is set to transform a low-intensity industrial precinct in Marrickville into a vibrant, neo-industrial neighbourhood.
A mixed-use build to rent, affordable housing and co-living precinct where homes, workplaces, communal spaces and the public realm are seamlessly intertwined.
Project
The Timberyards
Client
Rent to Live Co.
Date
2023 - Ongoing
Site area
2.2 Ha
Location
Marrickville, NSW
Indigenous Country
Gadigal & Wangal
Total GFA
10,200 sqm Public Open Space, 2,394 sqm Retail & Commercial, 225 sqm Creative Hub
BTR & Co-living Units
1,073
Affordable Housing Units
115
Collaborators
Tribe Studio, Architecture AND, Aileen Sage, Matthew Pullinger, Yerrabingin, Arcadia, Neoscape
The Timberyards is a new urban precinct in Marrickville, seamlessly integrating housing, public spaces, and retail while celebrating the area’s industrial heritage, diverse culture, and creative spirit. Located near Sydenham Metro Station and the forthcoming Marrickville Metro Station, the project extends the local network of streets and spaces, ensuring a highly accessible and connected community.
This diverse rental housing precinct features build to rent, co-living, and affordable housing, complemented by recreational spaces and local retail. Underpinned by First Nations-led design and sustainable principles, the project fosters a sense of pride and belonging for residents and the wider community.
Designed as a living system, The Timberyards balances past, present, and future, integrating publicly inviting, characterful, and layered spaces. Thoughtfully curated communal areas retain elements of the site’s industrial past while encouraging ecological regeneration and social connection. The project is managed under single ownership, ensuring a carefully curated mix of facilities and amenities that enhance everyday life.
At its heart, The Timberyards is a collaborative effort, with a diverse design team led by TURNER. The project unites First Nations knowledge holders, architects, and community stakeholders to create spaces that honour Country, culture, and regeneration. The result is a resilient, people-first neighbourhood where individuals can live, create, and connect.
Key features
The project ambition is to contribute a positive, sustainable transformation of this strategically valuable and well-located site by providing:
Affordable rental accommodation for approximately 1,700 people in a highly accessible and well-connected area of inner-Sydney.
Public benefits including site-wide public access, community and maker spaces, a new pocket park, and supporting retail and commercial uses.
The retention and integration of existing site features and fabric evident across the site.
The introduction of significant deep soil networks, new tree canopy and improved ecological function at a site with very low landscape values.
The provision of housing to directly address the current affordability crisis across Sydney.
