22 February 2011

Creative Hub

Along the backstreets of Surry Hills, the new Hill Street Precinct has been steadily evolving into one of Sydney's most vibrant creative hubs.

TEXT PATRICIA NELSON
INTERVIEWS NICKY LOBO
PHOTOGRAPHY ROGER D'SOUZA

Through the many laneways behind Taylor Square, a collective of businesses, art spaces and stores are carving out a lively identity for the area.

This community heralds a new response to urban growth for the city, with small and bespoke solutions trumping standard corporate formulae to stimulate development. Part of the beauty of its evolution can be attributed to the organic nature of its growth alongside a diverse blend of buildings and space.

This started back in 1998, with the purchase of the St Margaret's Maternity Hospital on Bourke Street by Michael Teplitsky’s Tepcorp Developments. Sydney has long been criticised for poor urban planning and civic architecture.

The St Margaret’s scheme looked toward re-energising communal spaces by introducing the idea of a thriving public square.

Read the full story on page 114 of Indesign magazine issue #44, in stores now.