South Eveleigh Archives

Get Ready for Sana: South Eveleigh’s New Healthy Dining Destination

Sydney’s food scene is about to welcome a new star as Sana, a fast-casual dining spot, opens its doors this February.

Read: Vintage Vibes, Modern Offerings: The New Era of The Bat & Ball Hotel

The brainchild of Daniel Sorridimi, owner of Blackwood Bondi and Cronulla, and Chef Joel Bennetts, this innovative eatery promises to bring healthy, flavour-packed meals to the heart of South Eveleigh.

Sorridimi developed the concept after noticing a growing demand for quick, health-conscious dining options, inspired by the trend’s expansion in the U.S. The name “Sana,” which means “healthy” in Spanish, reflects the restaurant’s focus on wholesome, high-quality produce and vibrant, delicious flavours.

Chef Joel Bennetts led the menu development, crafting a range of house-made pickles, seasoned proteins, and customisable bowls that are as satisfying as they are nutritious. Customers can mix and match their meal by selecting a base—Mediterranean basmati rice, cauliflower rice, lettuce, or cabbage—paired with a protein like salmon, lamb mince, chicken, or falafel, and finished with fresh, bold toppings.

Red Harissa Chicken (Photo credit: Sana/Instagram)

Among the standout dishes is the Red Harissa Chicken Bowl, featuring Mediterranean rice, house-made slaw, spicy almonds, and sweet-sour pickles—a perfect balance of heat, crunch, and tang.

Sana’s Instagram teases a menu “inspired by the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean and the Middle East,” offering options like spiced lamb mince reminiscent of Lebanese food markets, Korean-style pickled carrots, and basmati rice infused with lemon and herbs. The restaurant will offer seven signature bowls, customised bowls, protein plates, and six flavourful rolls, catering to both adventurous palates and those seeking comfort in simple, fresh ingredients.

Read: Taguan Cafe: Redfern Filipino Hideaway Serving the ‘Second-Best Adobo’

If you’re in the area, Sana promises a lunch experience that’s fresh, fast, and full of flavour. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or looking for a healthier dining option, this new spot is set to redefine the way South Eveleigh does lunch. You can find Sana at 8/1 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh.

Published 20-January-2025

South Eveleigh at the Heart of Tech Central’s New Innovation Push

South Eveleigh is emerging as a focal point in Sydney’s Tech Central precinct. Ambitious plans are underway to enhance the area’s technology and research hub role while integrating community living.

Transforming South Eveleigh into a Hub for Innovation and Community

As part of the six-square-kilometre Tech Central district, South Eveleigh is already home to global tech leaders like Atlassian, Canva, and Block (Afterpay), alongside over 150 research institutes and two leading universities. Plans are underway to further develop the area’s infrastructure, public spaces, and amenities to create a seamless blend of work, innovation, and everyday life.

The goal is to make South Eveleigh a vibrant community that attracts businesses, talent, and residents alike. Improvements in transport connectivity, housing, and entertainment options are expected to solidify its position as a dynamic centre for technology and community growth.

A Unified Strategy for Tech Central

A new strategy for Tech Central is being developed to align the needs of the area’s innovation ecosystem with broader priorities like housing, creative industries, and 24-hour economies. South Eveleigh is expected to play a critical role in these plans, offering a location where technology and community-building intersect.

The strategy aims to strengthen connections between startups, universities, and research institutes while fostering growth in other sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. This integrated approach ensures long-term development that benefits both businesses and residents.

Sydney Startup Hub Relocation

A major part of the plan involves relocating the Sydney Startup Hub to Tech Central, with South Eveleigh as a central link for collaboration between entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies. The relocation, scheduled for October 2025, will bring startups closer to universities and innovation facilities, enabling seamless collaboration and growth.

Efforts are underway to ensure a smooth transition for existing startups and investors, with services such as the international landing pad to support global partnerships included in the new location. These changes aim to enhance the innovation ecosystem while maintaining continuity for current businesses.

Building a Community-Driven Innovation Precinct

Industry leaders and innovation advocates have highlighted the importance of South Eveleigh’s transformation in creating a hub that supports both technological progress and quality of life. The precinct’s growing vibrancy will draw creative minds and businesses from across Australia and beyond.

Plans also include new accommodation models and enhanced services at the Tech Central Scaleup Hub to support businesses at all stages of development. This focus on integrating workspaces with community needs underlines the precinct’s commitment to fostering innovation in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Published 14-Dec-2024

Redfern Station Gets Major Upgrade with Direct Pathways to Carriageworks and South Eveleigh

Redfern Station, Sydney’s fifth-busiest train station, is now also one of the most accessible after undergoing a huge safety and convenience overhaul.

The grand unveiling of the long-anticipated upgrade of the Redfern Train Station was met with enthusiasm by commuters and the community alike. The station’s facelift includes a gleaming new southern concourse and two additional entrances, notably one on the southwestern side, facilitating easy access to the vibrant cultural precinct of Carriageworks and South Eveleigh.

The Upgraded Redfern Station

With this direct pathway, commuters can effortlessly engage in the dynamic program of large-scale theatre, dance, and installation works at Carriageworks, and indulge in the delights of the Carriageworks Farmers Market, making it a Saturday morning staple.

For those seeking entertainment and employment opportunities, the concourse also provides a direct walkway to South Eveleigh, home to various establishments like BrewDog, Lucky Kwong for wonton noodle soup enthusiasts, and the world’s first permanent zero-waste bar, Re.

The comprehensive project not only improves accessibility but also enhances safety features. It includes the installation of six new lifts, stair access to platforms one through ten, designated drop-off areas, and accessible toilets. These enhancements are set to be game-changers for passengers with disabilities or limited mobility and those travelling with prams, luggage, or bikes.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns commented on the significance of this upgrade.

“Given its close proximity to education, health, employment, and cultural precincts, we know how important Redfern Station is for people accessing local services and attractions, so it’s great to see these accessibility upgrades completed,” he said.

Community Involvement

The NSW Government approached the station’s redesign collaboratively, engaging heritage architects and consulting with Aboriginal community members to ensure the upgrades resonate with Redfern’s rich cultural heritage. This transformation marks the beginning of a new era for Redfern Station, setting the stage for a promising future for the historic transport hub.

“The upgrade of this station was years in the making, with people advocating for this project for decades,” Jo Haylen, Minister for Transport, remarked. “Now with an additional $300 million in the budget for further station accessibility upgrades, I look forward to seeing even more communities across NSW making the most of these vital station upgrades.”

“These six brand new lifts at one of our state’s busiest train stations will open up new opportunities for people with disability, parents with prams, and anyone with mobility issues,” Kate Washington, Minister for Disability Inclusion, emphasized.

Broader Accessibility Initiatives

With Redfern Station’s success story, the government has dedicated further funding to enhance accessibility across the state’s public transport system. This development aligns with the broader Transport Access Program, and the outcome has set the stage for more communities in New South Wales to benefit from safe and accessible public transport options.

In addition to Redfern Station’s remarkable transformation, Stanmore Station has also received its accessibility upgrades, with a pair of lifts being added to ensure equal access to both the platforms and the connecting tunnel. These initiatives signal a bright future for public transport in New South Wales, making travel smoother, safer, and more accessible for all.

Published 14-Oct-2023

Excitement Brews in South Eveleigh with the Arrival of BrewDog

Excitement’s a-brewin’ at South Eveleigh, soon to be the home of the fourth Australian venue of the world’s largest craft beer brand, BrewDog.

The Scottish craft beer brewery and bar chain, which has been expanding across the world, has started the construction of its newest site in South Eveleigh, its first in NSW, since August 2022.

The $3.2-million development is being built at an old locomotive workshop and is expected to open at the end of the year, just in time for summer.

Once completed, BrewDog South Eveleigh will be able to accommodate 720 patrons in its indoor dining space and bar, whilst 190 people may be able to enjoy drinks and food at the outdoor beer garden.

The bar, installed and integrated into the original workshop machinery on the site, will have about 40 brews on tap, creating a unique hangout for the customers.

Beer lovers will be offered plenty of options from BrewDog’s lineup of draught beers, as well as collaborations with other breweries. Alcohol-free options will also be on offer, alongside a collection of cocktails, ciders, spirits and wines.

Whilst diners may expect the usual pizza, burgers and wings to pair with the drinks, BrewDog South Eveleigh will also have plant-based food and two-for-one vegan pairings every Monday.

BrewDog has teamed with Australian Venue Co for the South Eveleigh venue, joining other popular bars and eateries like Re-Bar and Lucky Kwong.

“The space is truly incredible, we’re thrilled to be part of the next chapter of the historic South Eveleigh precinct,” Australian Venue Co NSW State Manager Evan Gargaro said. “The huge beer garden is going to be a hit, we can’t wait to open this venue just in time for the Sydney summer.”

In 2019, BrewDog launched its first brewery with a taproom in Murrarie, Brisbane, and its second outlet in the same city in Fortitude Valley. Just before this summer, the third venue debuted in Victoria at the Pentridge precinct.

Community Groups Mobilise Campaign to Build Carriageworks to South Eveleigh Bridge

Various community groups have mobilised a petition to build a bridge between Carriageworks and South Eveleigh that will provide better connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians.

Spearheaded by Friends of Erskineville, REDWatch, and the Alexandria Residents Action Group, the joint campaign by people who work and go to school in Redfern, Alexandria, Chippendale, Darlington, Erskineville, and Waterloo is calling on Transport for NSW to include and prioritise a new bridge as its reviews the plans to redevelop North Eveleigh.

According to reports, residents have been asking for a cyclist and pedestrian bridge for decades. In 2008, the Planning and Environment conducted an assessment but the plan was withdrawn and shelved in the same year as well.

Calls to build a bridge have been reignited after Mirvac bought the Redfern tech precinct, the Australian Technology Park, in 2015 with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and thousands of its employees as the anchor tenant. Mirvac was open to building a bridge as the new owner of the property.

Andrew Chuter of the Friends of Erskineville said that they launched the petition for the Carriageworks to South Eveleigh bridge to reiterate the growing need for the bridge since more people are walking and cycling to work or school. Whilst there are cycleways in the corridors between Redfern to Erskineville, they said that another bridge will allow them to get to their destinations between Darlington and Alexandria without having to go the way around the other routes.

The construction of the Waterloo Metro station, which will be completed in 2024, will also bring in thousands of students every day who will save at least 15 minutes of their commute if there was a pedestrian bridge in the area.

To date, the petition has gained nearly 600 signatures. Sydney councillors support the initiative as well.

Transport for NSW said that its “investigating the feasibility” of a cyclist and pedestrian bridge but has no additional information to share as of press time. Meanwhile, Friends of Erskineville met with Mirvac to discuss the bridge.

It’s An Open-Air Party at the Alfresco Disco in South Eveleigh

After months of lockdowns, Sydney is coming alive with a series of pop-up events for everyone. For South Eveleigh, that means an open-air party! Dine, drink, and dance at a one-day-only affair at the Alfresco Disco.

The open-air party will transform Locomotive Street into an all-day food, drink, and entertainment hub, where people can reconnect whilst they enjoy the dishes from the district’s most exciting venues.

Alfresco Disco will take place on Friday, 3 December 2021, in two sessions: from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The bar will be serving drinks all day until 10:00 p.m.

Guests with tickets will be able to sample the Australian-Cantonese dishes from Lucky Kwong, including its specialty, the Hokkien noodles filled with raw hiramasa kingfish or sticky pork. Drink lovers, on the other hand, can rave about the cocktails, beers, and wine served by RE- Bar. Both establishments will provide a special ticketed-only menu.

Food lovers, however, may also grab some light grub at the laneway outlets of Bekya, Eat Fuh, and Fishbowl, whilst they enjoy the vibe and music from an exciting line up of entertainers like Ayebatonye, Tyson Koh, Deepa, Levins vs Joyride, and Original Roman vs Boogie Fingers.

BOOK A TICKET

Alfresco Disco is in conjunction with the NSW Government and Destination NSW’s Open for Lunch initiative, with simultaneous dining and drinking open-air pop-ups across the city. Expect more long lunches outdoors at various venues this summer and beyond.

The Grounds’ New Events Space, Coffee Roastery To Open In South Eveleigh

Photo credit: The Grounds

Sydney’s newest hotspot for all things arts and food culture, South Eveleigh, is preparing for the opening of The Grounds, where patrons can expect not just one but two venues–a coffee roastery and an event space.

Read: Hospitality Group Breathes New Life Into Historic Alexandria Hotel

Due to open in 2022, The Grounds of South Eveleigh promises a state-of-the art coffee roastery where guests can engage in the entire coffee-making process and a grand, open space that is reminiscent of a dreamy French Chateau wedding venue.

Coffee roastery

Photo credit: The Grounds of Alexandria/Facebook

The roastery will offer an immersive experience as coffee lovers will not only get to sip a cup of their favourite brews but also learn how it’s done, right from roasting to brewing.

A passionate team of baristas will lead the behind-the-scenes tours and workshops that will be available for everyone – from the everyday guest with a curiosity for coffee, to the wholesaler sourcing their favourite selections.

In addition to coffee, there will be options for a casual breakfast or lunch, too. The menu draws inspiration from canteens of the former railway workshops where South Eveleigh stands.

Event space

As with The Grounds in Alexandria, there will be plenty of plants and greenery which will soften its modern industrial architecture style. It features high ceilings adorned by the captivating light of industrial chandeliers.

With a seating capacity for up to 350 guests, there’s enough room to invite all your close friends and family to celebrate life’s special moments.

“Time stands still, as you are immersed in the sheer magnificence of The Eveleigh – it’s almost like a scene from a fairytale that takes your imagination somewhere else,” The Grounds stated in its website.

The events place will be open Monday to Sunday with dates to be announced in 2022. If you want to be one of the first to host a celebration in The Grounds of Eveleigh, visit their website to learn more about their event packages once they become available.

Sunsuper Buys Locomotive Workshop in South Eveleigh

The Locomotive Workshop, a heritage landmark in South Eveleigh and part of the former Australian Technology Park precinct off Redfern, has been acquired by Sunsuper from Mirvac for $231 million.

The property, which stands as a two-storey brick and sandstone structure spanning 31,000-square metres, boasts of tenants like technology firms Quantium and Post Op Group, marketing company OMG, as well as key retailers like The Grounds and Romeo’s IGA.

In recent years, the Locomotive Workshop has been redeveloped as an A-grade innovation hub and commercial space whilst maintaining its heritage artefacts and features.

Reports cited that the deal took place after Sunsuper, Australia’s largest superannuation funding firm, shifted its commercial assets from AMP Capital to Mirvac. Sunsuper has another asset in South Eveleigh, investing in the 55,000-square metre complex, The Foundry.

Mirvac acquired the rights to develop Sydney’s retired rail yard in 2015 and completed its redevelopment in May 2021. The precinct is within walking distance to the Redfern train station and about five kilometres off the CBD. The site has heaps of shared public spaces, its very own village green, sports facilities and a scooter park, and public artworks displays featuring local artists.

Ben Schubert, the Knight Frank executive that facilitated the sale, said that despite the pandemic, demand for Sydney’s fringe office spaces remains strong as investors want to gain assets in “emerging locations” that will benefit from upgrades and redevelopments.

South Eveleigh has become very attractive to the technology and creative industries and the Locomotive Workshop has been 97 percent leased just before its completion in mid-2021.

Best Bars to Tap For Boozy Deliveries In and Around Redfern

When going to a bar is not an option during a lockdown, the best thing to do is to tap some of the city’s best boozy deliveries. Fortunately, there are a few establishments in and around Redfern that offer this convenience and they have some great cocktails in bottles as well!

Redfern Surf Club

First on the list is the Redfern Surf Club on Botany Road. This bar was one of the first establishments to launch its innovative cocktail party bags during the pandemic first wave in mid-2020 with flavours like Watermelon Margarita or Life is Peach that come in an easy pour and no mess packaging. Just pop these cocktails in the freezer and it’s ready to drink in a few hours.

Redfern Surf Club also delivers cocktails in bottles, freshly made and ready to pour. Their bestselling products are the Spicy Margarita, Espresso Martini and Negroni. Make sure to order in advance as the supplies run out fast.

Re-

The newly-opened bar and restaurant on Locomotive Street has introduced new flavours on their drink list as Sydney’s lockdown has been extended for another week. Take a pick from these exciting concotions — the Orchard Gimlet (Coconut Oil Gin, Strawberry and Peppermint Gum, Green Apple Whey), the Cherry Ripe Old Fashioned (Plantation 3 Star, Cacao, Cacoa Butter, Raspberry, Peach Stone) and 50 Shades of Gruyere (Mushroom Cognac, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz, Gruyere, Sweet Vermouth).

Re- is also widening their delivery coverage within the nine kilometres around South Eveleigh and could even ship interstate for online orders. If you don’t need a drink but you need a gift idea, they’ve got heaps of cocktails and wine for drink lovers with discerning taste buds.

PS40

About 3.5 kilometres away from Redfern is PS40, known for elevating the way Sydneysiders enjoy their booze. For this “snap lockdown,” PS40 is offering a special edition “snap pack box” that contains three 250ml bottles to make your boozy deliveries easier — just click to order!

The snap pack box has:

Zeneca Zombie (Coconut infused glenfiddich, rums, grapefruit, lime, rhubarb, grenadine, spices, whey)
The Full Bergamonty (Reyka vodka, allspice, fresh bergamot rind, mandarin, coriander seed, agave, whey)
Glady’s Gimlet (Hendrick’s gin, lime, lime oils & freshly grated makrut lime zest)

Continental Deli & Bistro

Though more of a deli and bistro than a bar, this shop in Newtown, which is about an 11-minute car ride through Abercrombie Street in Redfern, has a Sydney drink-lover must-have: the Continental Deli martinis in tin can and the Cosmopoli-Tin (vodka, cranberry, sherry, orange liqueur and water). They’ve had these cocktails to-go even before lockdowns became the new normal.

Meanwhile, Sydney’s stay-at-home orders will remain until 16 July as the city tops 350 cases since the first Delta variant infection was detected in early June. Health officials say they are expecting the numbers to rise so there’s nothing better to do than to chill, relax and enjoy your drinks moderately at home.

New Dining Attractions Flow into Locomotive Street in South Eveleigh

The development of South Eveleigh has ramped up with the opening of new dining attractions on Locomotive Street, the food and drink precinct located near the Redfern Station. The former industrial site is now Sydney’s newest hip and happening hub for foodies.

Locomotive Street features some of the culinary forces that will put this heritage landmark on the map yet again. Within the last six months, here are the restaurants that have established their new home in this burgeoning precinct.

Fishbowl

Fishbowl, which opened its first site in Bondi in 2016, offers various healthy salads and meals as takeaway. The eatery specialises in authentic food, where minimal intervention during preparation is applied. The owners take inspiration from Japanese cooking thus their menu includes plenty of rice, sushi and vegetables.

Bekya

Bekya serves Middle Eastern wraps, Egyptian flavourful meals and vegan specialties with some Greek, Italian and French influences. The foodie spot also focuses on takeway meals, perfect for busy Sydneysiders.

Eat Fuh

Eat Fuh is known for its Pho, Vietnam’s national dish. A frequent market vendor at various Sydney markets for many years, this family-run business finally established a spacious permanent home in Eveleigh.

RaRa Chan

From the group behind RaRa Ramen comes RaRa Chan, the team’s “baby sister,” which offers tsukemen or dipping-style ramen with thick noodles. This noodle dish is so packed that its broth is always served in a separate bowl.

Pepper Seeds

The first Pepper Seeds restaurant opened in Balmain in 2012 to serve a fusion of spicy Thai dishes, alongside a diverse menu of curries, salads, noodles and stir-fry. As a boutique restaurant, its menu features carefully curated dishes.

Re

Re, an offshot of the London cocktail bar Scout, aims to deliver a sustainable drinking experience “built on waste.” Everything from its drinks, to its glasses, furniture and fit-out is upcycled. If you’re wondering how banana peels taste on a cocktail, this is the bar to visit.

Romeo’s Food Hall IGA

Whilst technically a supermarket, Romeo’s Food Hall IGA has a takeaway section featuring pizza, sushi, salads, and even a cheese bar.

Mirvac started developing South Eveleigh in 2016 to transform one of Australia’s significant, historical national railways into a lifestyle site, with Locomotive Street as the food and drink centre for Everleigh, Redfern, Alexandria and nearby suburbs.

“The vision for South Eveleigh has been not only to create a world-class technology and innovation hub to work and play, but also to curate a food and retail space that has people and community at its heart, and that is welcoming and accessible to everyone,” Mirvac Head of Commercial Property Campbell Hanan said as more establishments are expected to open before 2021 ends.

Near Locomotive Street, South Eveleigh also has Priceline, wellness and personal grooming facilities, as well as fitness studios.