Taylor Square – Pride of Place, was the focus of a standing room only event a few days ago in Sydney. As the 2026 Mardi Gras season comes alive, Queers In Property NSW and event partner Tract came together to host an evening which revealed the past, present and future of Taylor Square through a compelling presentation by Tract Director of Landscape Architecture and Adjunct Associate Professor at UNSW, Julie Lee.

For this special evening, Tract’s 2003 redesign of Taylor Square for the then South Sydney Council was thoroughly illustrated through drawings, plans and remarkable period photography. An historical overview of this civic space was the foundation of Tract’s significant work in placemaking and urban design practice, which prevails today. Taylor Square was initially a transport hub and urban thoroughfare, but by the 1980s, it had become the focus and meeting place of Sydney’s gay and lesbian community. The present-day changes resulting from Transport for NSW initiatives such as the new Oxford Street Cycleway, as well as the revitalisation of Taylor Square with markets and al fresco dining were discussed and placed in the context of a changing Oxford Street precinct.

Hosted in a packed Loading Dock Theatre at Qtopia, the new Darlinghurst centre for queer culture whose three premises dominate Taylor Square, Julie Lee’s presentation was followed by a lively and insightful panel discussion.  Moderated by Dayle Bennett, QIP NSW Co-Chair, the panel included Greg Fisher, CEO of Qtopia and Lorraine Lock from The Rainbow Precinct who joined Julie Lee to discuss not only Taylor Square as a place, but the broader community and precinct changes that will continue to transform the Oxford Street neighbourhood.

Queers in Property advocates for LGBTQI+ visibility and representation in the Australian built environment sector, representing planners, designers, architects, urbanists, builders and others. Their activities in NSW and VIC attract the broadest possible cross section of professions and disciplines in Australian property, development and design. An annual program of events, talks, research presentations and networking forms the basis of the QIP program.

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This event was proudly supported in partnership with Tract, which since 1973 has championed interdisciplinary practice and different perspectives, helping to shape lasting places for people and communities across Australia.

Tract
tract.com.au
                                                      
Queers In Property
queersinproperty.com.au

Qtopia
qtopiasydney.com.au

The Rainbow Precinct
rainbowprecinct.com.au

Photography
Brett Cornish
Courtesy of Tract

Event Photography
Leon Chen Photography