Completed in 1871, the locomotive shop is dedicated to the repair and manufacture of locomotives and rolling stock to aid in the expansion of Australia's rail network. Over the next few decades, the complex grew in size to include a carriage factory, a spring shop, a foundry, a paint shop, and a large installation shed. At its peak in 1952, it was packed with more than 10,000 people. After more than 100 years of continuous operation, The Eveleighlocomotive Workshops closed in 1988. Since its closure, the plant has operated as the Australian Science and Technology Park, in an attempt to create an innovation and technology research centre. However, the unfortunate result was the creation of a soulless, isolated business park that turned its back on the local community.
The revitalization of the entire region by Mirvac is an opportunity to reverse this trend. From the beginning, our design approach has been to remove these barriers, open the doors, and reintegrate the ATP area into the surrounding community. The overall design intent of the locomotive workshop development was to remove all existing undesirable elements and to provide a clear interpretation and articulation of the industrial style and important heritage structures, including the existing movable heritage collections. 
The redevelopment includes the Blacksmith's Workshop Heritage Space in Bays 1 and 2. The blacksmith's workshop continues the tradition of blacksmithing in the same place for 130 years. The adjoining Heritage Interpretation restaurant will be part of the heritage experience, allowing more people to learn about the site's people, history and origins. The retail space is located in Zones 3-4a and includes event spaces, coffee roasters, and a food market. Compartments 4-15 offer new Grade A workspaces. The last bay also offers end-of-trip facilities as well as heritage storage and display spaces. The new in-house development is limited to a maximum of one mezzanine, open to the traditional roof structure to preserve views and vistas to and from key locations.
This approach restores the strong connection between the building's original structure and the new commercial and retail renovations. This includes views of the building's volume and its important elements, such as cast iron columns, roof trusses, steel beams, and overhead cranes. Heritage interpretation elements, including all the original machinery, are integrated throughout the project.
The design concept is based on a lightweight intervention of the building envelope on the existing structure. All new elements feature a steel frame that allows for double-versatility and differentiation from traditional fabrics. The soft touch is used throughout, and it is particularly noticeable in both old and new interfaces. All the original structures remain unchanged, and their patina reveals the passage of time. The new structure is almost entirely black to distinguish the old from the newly built fabric. The aim of the redevelopment is to preserve, emphasize and highlight the unique cultural and aesthetic heritage value of the building, its collections, stories and spaces within an operational framework to ensure the long-term economic viability and vitality of the site. 