The final presentations for the Barangaroo development will take place this week by the last two contenders - Lend Lease and Brookfield Multiplex.
In August the two submissions were shortlisted and told to "refine and enhance" their proposals before undertaking the final hurdle.
It is expected the Barangaroo Delivery Authority will make a final presentation to the NSW Government by the end of the year, after seeing the proposals, reports The Australian Financial Review.
Two of the world's most respected architectural firms are involved in the project with Norman Foster's Foster and Partners working on the Brookfield Multiplex submission, while Richard Rogers' Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is advising for Lend Lease.
Following the presentations the authority will make a progress report available for public viewing on the development, before making a final recommendation on the preferred developer. Previous attempts to provide information to the public about the project had been criticised by some in the industry. Original architect Philip Thalis suggested that the government was afraid people will see the site "in all its grandeur" and speak against the current plans for a "historic pastiche" of pre-European settlement.
Thalis' original competition-winning design left the site largely intact. However, the jury requested a natural headland along with northern and southern coves. Thalis' firm made some changes to their design, but when they refused to make large-scale modifications they were cut from the project.
The recently adapted plan was to incorporate 30 submissions from the public. However, these submissions were never made public despite requests.
NSW executive director of the Property Council, Ken Morrison, said Barangaroo was an opportunity to create an exciting, special place for Sydney, but cautioned that they were yet to see the master plan to date.
