Saturday 31 October 2020

Property Advert of the Week: Chatswood Home Units (1966)

In 1966, $11 000 bought one a two unit apartment in Stokes Street, Lane Cove North (Advertised as Chatswood). The apartments were being sold by Parkes Developments.

Note that the advertisement was listing prices in pounds. This was allowed for two years following the introduction of decimal currency on February 14, 1966. The $11 000 was based on one pound being equivalent to two dollars.

Interesting to note that a two bedroom apartment located in the street sold in May for just $660 000. 

Chatswood Ad October 14 1966 the sun 64

Source: Parkes Developments Pty. Ltd. 1966. Untitled (Advertisement). The Sun, October 14: 64. 

Monday 26 October 2020

1982: Life in the Park Regis

In 1982, the Park Regis was 14 years old and The Sydney Morning Herald interviewed some of its residents, all of whom were original buyers in the tower.

It would be interesting to compare the residents of 1982 with that of 2020. I am curious if any of the original residents still reside in the tower or even their descendants. 

Four decades ago, living in central Sydney was still a novelty.



Source: Wyndham, S. 1982. "Charles Weil says he'll take the Park Regis". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 18: 27.

Saturday 24 October 2020

Property Advert of the Week: Claron Homes Newspaper Advertisement (1966)

 Below is a 1966 newspaper advertisement from Claron Homes. Two display homes were featured:

Claron Homes Ad October 21 1966 the sun 64

Source: Claron Constructions. 1966. "Claron Constructions" (Advertisement). The Sun, October 21: 64.


Monday 19 October 2020

1957: Jorn Utzon wins the Opera House Architectural Competition

Photo taken by the Author (2019).

This week, the Sydney Opera House turns 47. It cost $100 million to build and 14 years to build.

Below is the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald dated from January 30, 1957. The previous day, Danish architect Jorn Utzon beat 221 other entrants to win the design competition. His win also included a cash prize of 5000 pounds ($10 000).




The runners up also feature in the article. 

Last year, The Guardian published artists impressions of some of the unsuccessful entries. I've had a look and none of them would match Utzons design. It was a very good decision. Sticking to the literal design was impossible for engineering reasons but the refinements made hit the mark and the effect was still the same!!!

It is one of the best buildings built globally in the modern age. This proves Sydney can get it right with architectural designs. We just need people with vision to make it happen!!!! 

Saturday 17 October 2020

Property Advert of the Week: Davis Homes (1966)

Below is a 1966 newspaper advertisement by Davis Homes for their three bedroom model home - "The Royal" which could be inspected at "Peakhurst" (Beverly Hills). The house is still standing and can be found at 45 Stoney Creek Road, Beverly Hills.

Davis Homes Ad October 14 1966 the sun 65

Source: Davis Homes. 1966. Untitled (advertisement). The Sun, October 14: 65.

Monday 12 October 2020

1989: Urban Development around Badgerys Creek Airport


Source: Morris, L. 1990. "Oran Park to go for new city". The Daily Telegraph, September 2: page unknown.

Trawling through my clippings, I came across an article from September 1989 published in The Daily Telegraph. 

The State Government was planning a "mini-city", the size of Canberra to be built in a corridor incorporating the proposed Badgerys Creek Airport. This was seen as a response to the land shortage gripping Sydney (like today). 

Oran Park Raceway would be closed with housing to replace the former race track.  This occurred in 2010 and housing has since appeared.

With construction of the new airport underway three decades later, planning still continues. The focus has shifted towards commercial and industrial development to create a Western Sydney Aerotropolis. The long term goal is to create 200 000 jobs within the precinct which will follow the 1989 corridor. That is nearly two thirds of the number that commute into Central Sydney each day to work.

In 1989, they were unlikely to have considered high rise residential development, whereas three decades later it is being seriously considered.

Saturday 10 October 2020

Property Advert of the Week: The Peak, Haymarket (1996)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1996 to promote The Peak above Paddys Markets at Haymarket.

Previously, I posted one advertisement from 1997.


  The Peak Ad June 22 1996 SMH 16RE

Source: Market City & Colliers Jardine. 1996. "Invest in the perfect city location". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 22: 16RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

Related Entry

Monday 5 October 2020

1973: Weather Beacons atop Sydney buildings

Some will be aware that buildings in Sydney can and have acted as locations to monitor weather conditions. 

In 1957, the MLC Building in North Sydney became the first building in Sydney to have a weather beacon installed on its rooftop.

Sixteen years later (1973), The St George Permanent Building Society in Hurstville became the second location in Sydney to have a weather beacon installed. Light colours and changes could give locals the latest weather conditions.

Below are two clippings from The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader from its unveiling in 1973.


Source: Anon. 1973. "News beacon has a flash", The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, March 14:1.


Source: Anon. 1973. "Minister hit the right button". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, March 21: 11.

I believe that the weather beacon has since been removed; the date of which is unknown. 

Westpac Place in Kent Street has a weather beacon atop the building, but it uses electronic lighting placed in bars to tell Sydneysiders the current air pressure reading.  


Saturday 3 October 2020

Property Advert of the Week: Bentleigh, North Sydney (1997)

Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for the Bentleigh Apartments in North Sydney. It was located in William Street while the display centre was at Milsons Point.

  Bentleigh Apartments Ad May 24 1997 SMH Real Estate 12RE

Source: Australand Properties. 1997. "Bentleigh Apartments" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald. May 24, 12RE (Real Estate Liftout).