Tract Consultants was employed as part of the design team to develop open space design concepts for the redevelopment of the heritage listed Victoria Brewery Site.

A specific client requirement was the creation of a ‘chic’ hard-edged, inner urban environment with subtle references to the namesake ‘Tribeca’ – the precinct comprising that triangle of land, below Canal Street in downtown New York – noted specifically for its diverse population of artists, ‘bohemia’ over a wide social demographic, evolving to more recent gentrification.

Branding of the project, and subsequent marketing included the use of renowned French designer Phillipe Starck, who also designed the interiors of a specific type of apartment.

Tract’s approach in the design of the open spaces within the development, was to develop relevant themes and characters that extend from the brief in a way that is appropriate to the residential/retail/commercial uses at ground level whilst defining the public, semi-public and private spaces within the development.

The design is sensitive to the heritage values associated with the site and provides a unique and recognisable sense of address of the highest quality whilst reinforcing wayfinding and the functions intended for the open space (plaza, access way, court etc.).

The Tribeca landscape provides a restrained, historically sensitive, yet bold contemporary hierarchy of open space. It is intended as a subtle, cohesive "overlay" that harmonises the architectural styles as well as the signage and interpretation overlays, in an extroverted way that is unique to Tribeca.