1982: The changing face of Circular Quay

Only two decades after the completion of the AMP Building and the first wave of development around Circular Quay, the area was to undergo a significant change as this feature report published in The Sydney Morning Herald in July 1982 shows.

Altmann, C. 1982. "Untitled" (Artists Impression). The Sydney Morning Herald, July 3: 1. 

From left to right, what was the outcome?

• The proposed building at East Circular Quay - The site remained vacant throughout the decade and into the 1990s as owners sought to redevelop the precinct. It became part of the Bennelong Apartments completed in 1998.
• Approved Unit Block - Completed in 1984 as the Quay Apartments at 27 stories/94 metres tall.
• Proposed Commercial Development (Gateway Site). Concerns about the blocking of vistas as the render shows, led to a taller, slimmer tower (Gateway Tower). Gateway Tower was built as a 46 level/164 metre tower in 1989.  
• Regent Hotel (Completed that year)
• Grosvenor Place ("Proposed office tower" completed in 1988). 
• The Proposed Apartment tower opposite Grosvenor Place (far right) was the Quay West Apartments, which is part hotel, part apartment complex. It was completed in 1991. 

The construction of the above developments would not be completed for a decade (or at East Circular Quay, a decade and a half). This wave of development would shape Circular Quay for over a generation. 

The demolition of Goldfields House (2017-18) and the AMP Quay Quarter redevelopment is ushering in a new era for Circular Quay. There are also towers either under construction or proposed for the block bounded by Alfred, George, Bridge and Pitt Street's which will transform that section of the city.