The Cutaway is a landmark cultural venue located beneath the eastern end of Barangaroo Reserve, defined by its dramatic sandstone wall that opens to the sky.
As one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations, the project presented a rare opportunity to transform a former infrastructure space into a flexible, inclusive venue capable of hosting major events, exhibitions, performances and community programs.
Spanning approximately 10,000 square metres across three levels, The Cutaway includes a main event hall, pre function space, gallery rooms, lobby and a dedicated First Nations education space, all supported by extensive back of house facilities and full accessibility throughout. Embedded throughout the design are themes of nature, culture and connection, creating a place that celebrates Aboriginal cultural history while remaining flexible and memorable for future generations.
Cost certainty for a landmark cultural venue
In 2022, WT was engaged to provide quantity surveying services from the concept design phase through to construction completion and commissioning. Having previously been involved in the base build project, we were able to continue supporting the client across multiple, interconnected scopes.
Throughout the project, we played an active role in value management exercises, working closely with the design team and client to test options, manage complexity and ensure value for money was achieved without compromising the design intent.
A key part of our role involved close liaison with specialist supply chain partners. This early and ongoing engagement ensured the client was fully informed of cost implications associated with specialist and bespoke works, supporting timely decision making and risk mitigation.
Completed in April 2026, the Cutaway stands as a significant cultural asset for Sydney, demonstrating how strong commercial and cost advice can support ambitious design outcomes while delivering long term value for the client and the community.
