Property Advert of the Week: Gladesville Land Release (1971)

In 1971, blocks of land were for sale at Leawill Place, Gladesville. The sites were sewered.

Source: Dress Circle Estates. 1971. "sewered land! Gladesville" (advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 12:44.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Imperial Arcade Tower (1960)

Source: Anon. 1960. "360-Feet High Building Plan". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 17: 5.

I recently located an artist's impression for a 36 level office tower that was to be built as part of a redevelopment of the Imperial Arcade (1891) in Pitt Street.

While the site was redeveloped to house a shopping complex of four levels with office space above, the office component was scaled back.

The Imperial Arcade was demolished in 2009 when Westfield merged and redeveloped its CBD shopping centres - Centrepoint, Imperial Arcade and Skygarden into Westfield Sydney.

Property Advert of the Week: Stocks and Holdings homes for sale - Dural (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement for Stocks and Holdings selling homes at Dural on a $2500 deposit.

Source: Stocks & Holdings Projects. 1971.  "Untitled" (Advertisement)".  The Daily Telegraph, June 11:44.

2001: Sydney's Motorway Revolution

A map of freeway projects (approved, under construction or proposed) in Sydney in 2001. Full citation below.

In early 2001, Federal Transport Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister) John Anderson announced that the Federal Government would provide $350 million to cover the $1.25 billion cost of the construction of the Western Sydney Orbital.

Across Sydney, it was estimated that over six years (2001-2007) $3 billion would be spent on the construction of new freeways which promised travel savings, increased productivity, lower running costs for trucks and jobs.

Source: Wainwright, R. 2001. "Sydney's motorway revolution". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 5:1. 

The Western Sydney Orbital (Westlink M7) was completed in 2005 ahead of schedule, however the Lane Cove Tunnel was opened in 2007 and the Cross City Tunnel in 2005. The M5 East was opened in December 2001.

In 2013, plans were unveiled for the  F3 extension to the M2 Motorway (NorthConnex). Approval was given in 2015 by the NSW Government. Opening is slated for mid year.

While NorthConnex will run under Pennant Hills Road, a proposed route in 2001 saw the road running from Macquarie Park to Wahroonga.

Source: Wainwright, R. 2001. "Pressure on to complete the city's traffic puzzle". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 5:4. 

Below is additional coverage from the January 5, 2001 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald. 

Property Advert of the Week: 3 Tranmere Street, Drummoyne (1971)

Below is an advertisement for apartments in a three storey unit block located at 3 Tranmere Street, Drummoyne.

Source: Multiple Real Estate Pty. Ltd. 1971. "Drummoyne: Must Built Home Units" (Advertisements). The Daily Telegraph, June 12: 44. 

One bedroom apartments were on sale for $16 500 (equivalent to $183 000 in todays money) while a two bedroom apartments were available for $23 000 (equivalent to $255 000 in todays money).

Domain has listed sales of units in recent years and one apartment sold for $821 000 in 2014.

Price equivalents in todays money were sourced via the RBA Inflation Calculator.

1968: Highrise Swimming pools

Below is an article published in The Sun Herald on July 7 1968 on the construction of swimming pools in highrise buildings in Sydney.

Source: Anon. 1968. "Floating on top of skyscraper". The Sun Herald, July 7: 98. 

Park Regis which completed that year would house the highest swimming pool in Australia - 45 levels above ground.

Towards Circular Quay, the Travelodge Hotel at the corner of York and Margaret Streets' was building its own pool - 28 levels above the ground.

More than fifty years later, its standard for highrise hotel and apartment blocks to have a swimming pool on offer to its occupants. Some will offer views while others don't as they are located on the lower levels of the building.

Currently, the highest rooftop pool in Sydney is not the Park Regis, but the pool located in the penthouse atop the ANZ Centre in Pitt Street, completed in 2013.

The swimming pool atop the ANZ Centre as viewed from Sydney Tower. Photo taken by the author (2018). 

Today, the highest indoor swimming pool in Sydney is located on level 61 of World Tower, but they do have pools on two separate floors to cater for those residing in the lower sections of the tower.

The swimming pool and spa on level 61 of World Tower. Photo taken by the author (2004). 

Property Advert of the Week: Parkridge by Parkes (1970)

This is our very first Property Advert of the Week entry for 2020.

Below is an advertisement from 1970 from Parkes Homes to promote their model home - Parkridge.

Source: Parkes Ideal Homes. 1970. "Parkridge...the house with two faces". The Daily Mirror, April 17: 28. 

1975: The final demolition of the T&G Building

The final section of the T&G Building (1930) awaits demolition. Full citation below.

The T&G Building built in 1930 was located at the corner of Park and Elizabeth Street. The 12 storey building was 70 metres high to the top of its bell tower.

In 1972, plans were approved to demolish the building alongside every building located on the block bounded by Elizabeth, Park, Castlereagh and Bathurst Street.

By 1975, three quarters of the buildings had been demolished to accommodate 201 Elizabeth Street with the remaining section on the corner of Elizabeth and Park Street's still standing. There were calls for its preservation, but it still faced the wreckers ball.

Source: Owens, W. 1975. "Giant Meets His Match". The Sun Herald, October 12: 17.

And what did Sydney get in return for the demolition? A public square.

Around twenty years ago, the square was given a facelift. A Starbucks Cafe occupies the site. These photos were taken last week by yours truely.

There was scope to leave the remaining section of the building and integrate it into the development. It could have made a fantastic hotel or even be converted into apartments.

Finally, lets place the Park Street photos side by side for comparison.

Related: 1969: Original scheme for the T&G Tower (201 Elizabeth Street)