New Creative Spaces In Glebe's Historic Viaducts
Three historic viaducts in Glebe’s Jubilee Park could soon be home to musicians, sporting clubs or creative collectives,
with applications now open for the City of Sydney’s latest round of accommodation grants.
Opening onto the picturesque foreshore park at the end of Glebe Point Road, the heritage-listed viaducts measure 85
square metres each.
Close to Glebe’s relaxed village atmosphere, they are one of five new City properties seeking creative residents to move
in and make them usable spaces for the community.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the workspaces were in locations that would be perfect for creative people.
“Our accommodation grants program puts empty spaces across the City to good use, helping organisations provide important
cultural, social and educational services for the community,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’re delighted by how popular the program has been so far, and look forward to seeing new projects come to life in the
Jubilee Park viaducts and the other unusual spaces on offer.”
The City’s accommodation grants allow non-profit community organisations to apply for partial or fully subsidised rent.
The Glebe viaducts were built in 1910 using over three million bricks. They were designed to separate Sydney’s passenger
and freight train lines and provide direct freight lines to the ports at Rozelle, Glebe and Darling Harbour. In 1996,
the train line was decommissioned and the viaducts became home to the light rail line.
Other spaces open for applications are:
Benledi House, Glebe – this single office space, measuring 32 sqm, is suitable for social or educational uses such as community services,
workshops or social groups.
Erskineville Town Hall, Erskineville – two recently renovated spaces are available, including a 69 sqm office with six workstations and reception desk, and
a 42 sqm workspace with reception area, leading into an office. The spaces are suitable for cultural, creative or social
uses, such as cultural groups, social services or creative collectives.
247-257 Bulwara Road, Ultimo – this large open studio on the first floor includes a small office, kitchen and bathroom area, and measures 245sqm in
total. The space is suitable for cultural, social or educational uses.
107 Redfern Street, Redfern – this large office space, which includes a workshop, kitchen, exhibition space and outdoor area, measures 480sqm in
total. The space is suitable for artist collectives, creative services or community groups.
Site inspections will be held at each of the properties throughout July, with spaces ready for occupation in early 2014.
The accommodation grants program, one of the City’s 19 grants and sponsorships programs, is worth more than $2.6 million
each year in revenue foregone.
It currently provides space for more than 60 non-profit organisations – including Beehive Industries, a group offering support and companionship to elderly people and members of the community living with a disability, and
Regenesis, an innovative education program targeting local disadvantaged and at-risk youth.
ENDS