Property Advert of the Week: Twenty Seven Sutherland Crescent, Darling Point (1963)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1963 to promote Twenty Seven Sutherland Crescent at Darling Point. The developer was Mainline Corporation (collapsed in 1974).

Source: Mainline Corporation. 1963. "Twenty Seven Sutherland Crescent, Darling Point" (Advertisement). The Sun Herald, March 3: 11. 

 

1970: Sydney Construction Feature

For around the past decade, the sight of construction in central Sydney has become part of the city's routine.

In the late 1960's and early 1970's, the sight of construction was also routine in central Sydney as old buildings were demolished for modern skyscrapers.

The Daily Telegraph published a pictorial feature on September 12, 1970 focusing on three sites:

1. AMP Centre (Bridge Street)
2. Hilton Hotel - Former site of Adams Hotel
3. 175-183 Castlereagh Street - 14 storey office tower

Two sites featured are currently undergoing redevelopment. The AMP Centre which was completed in 1976 has been gutted and being redeveloped into a modern office tower. Floorplates are being enlarged to provide modern workspaces for its employees. 

Photo taken by the Author (2021). 

175-183 Castlereagh Street has been demolished as part of the Pitt Street Metro Station development with a modern office tower planned for the site. 

The Hilton Hotel completed in 1973 was renovated in 2004 with a refurbished facade and additional office space. 

Property Advert of the Week: Neeta Homes Advertisement (1989)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1989 promoting the Neeta Homes Display Centre at Bossley Park. In addition they were promoting house and land packages in unspecified locations in Fairfield and Blacktown.

Source: Neeta Homes. 1989. "Brand New Homes...Fairfield & Blacktown Areas". The Daily Mirror, January 30: 23.  

I have included a Google Streetview image to show how the location appears today. 

1987: Powerhouse Museum Construction Feature

In 1987, The Sunday Telegraph published a feature article on the construction of the Powerhouse Museum which was opened the following year (1988).

It is good reading and even provided a background to the decision in 1979 to establish a museum on the site.

Unlike the opposition to completely relocate the museum to Parramatta in recent years (resulting in the State Government deciding to maintain the museum at Ultimo and still proceed with a second branch at Parramatta), some called for complete demolition of the 1899 building. The Power Station had fallen into disrepair after its decommissioning in 1961. 

The article failed to mention that the Power Station had been listed by the National Trust in 1976 or the proposal to base a Museum of Technology in Ryde. 

However the article itself is a good read and provided readers with a preview of some of the exhibits which Sydneysiders and visitors to Sydney have come to love when visiting the museum. 

With concerns that Darling Harbour may not be as popular as successful as some thought, they were hopeful of still pulling in the hordes (estimated to be 2.5 million people per year). 

It is difficult to locate figures for annual attendances, especially in recent years, but would be roughly half of the 2.5 million estimated. However the proposal to relocate the entire museum to Parramatta and then the subsequent decision to retain a museum at Ultimo alongside opening at Parramatta has highlighted that Sydneysiders appreciate the museum. There was passion to retain a museum at Ultimo. At the same time, there was a need to bring the museum into Sydney's west to give even better access to all Sydneysiders to its collections, also suggesting that the museum is appreciated. 

Property Advert of the Week: The Goldsbrough, Pyrmont (1996)

In 2015, I posted a newspaper advertisement from 1993 for The Goldsbrough Complex at Pyrmont. This week, I share an advertisement that was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on June 22 1996 (Page 16 of the Real Estate Liftout).

 

MILESTONE: Opening of the Woronora Bridge (2001) - Part 2

This week is my second and concluding entry on the opening of the Woronora Bridge in 2001. Thursday (February 11), will mark twenty years since the bridge opened to the public.

Last week's entry focused on planning and construction of the bridge. As promised, this entry will focus on opening day.

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reported on February 6, 2001 that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) had yet to announce who would officially open the bridge.  

The bridge was officially opened by NSW Premier Bob Carr. Before the road was opened to traffic, the public were invited to walk across the bridge for the cost of a gold coin donation. Activities and entertainment were provided on both sides of the bridge at Akuna Oval, Bangor and Sutherland Oval. 

Motorists were allowed to access the bridge the following day (February 12, 2001).

Below are newspaper reports associated with the opening.

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader

February 13 2001

This article (below) was published on Page 2. 

The Daily Telegraph

February 12, 2001, Page 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

February 12, 2001, Page 3. 

Below are assorted news clippings relating to the opening uploaded to Youtube by "TheTVGuru3". 

Finally, while the bridge provided improved road connections to Menai, Menai Road continued to remain congested. This led to the construction of the Bangor Bypass from the bridge to Old Illawarra Road in 2005. The North-South section connecting the bypass Old Illawarra Road Menai to Alfords Point Road was completed in 2011. 

Property Advert of the Week: Balmain Cove (1998)

Our Property Advert of the Week is back for 2021. Below is a 1998 newspaper advertisement promoting townhouses and apartments from $495 000.

The estate has its own website if you wish to find out further information. While it caters to residents, potential buyers will find information useful. 

    

Source: Balmain Cove. 1998. "Entertainment!" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 13: 29RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

MILESTONE: Opening of the Woronora Bridge (2001) - Part 1

On February 11, it will be twenty years since the Woronora Bridge at Woronora was opened to motorists. the bridge linking Sutherland with Menai. replaced a two lane, low level bridge

In the first of this two part series, this entry will focus on the conception of the design and newspaper clippings relating to its planning and construction. Next week, news clippings will be posted.

Why a new bridge?

In 1981, a two lane bridge was completed across the Woronora River to replace a bridge that had been built in 1912. This bridge is still used today to carry local traffic in the suburb. 

However, Menai (and surrounding suburbs) was opened up to urban development. It had begun in the 1980's and therefore road links to and from Menai had to be provided.

The Alfords Point Bridge provided a major road link from Menai to Bankstown, but at that time was only three lanes.

Menai and River Roads which linked Menai with Sutherland provided challenging conditions for drivers in the Woronora Valley with its "S" Bends. This can still be experienced when you take the turnoffs for Woronora in any direction.

Above: This article from The Sydney Morning Herald in 1992 highlighted the difficulties of navigating through the Woronora Valley.

Source: Simpson, L. 1992. "The Coward of Granny's Elbow may be too slick". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 11:3. 

The Greiner Government when elected in 1988 promised to fund roadworks in the "Menai Area".

Planning and Construction

In 1990, plans were released. The design inspired by the curved Roseville Bridge called for a two decked bridges, each with two lanes. The first deck would be completed by 1994, while the second deck would not be needed until around "2000". 

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader (November 20, 1990) reported that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identified two concerns - Visual Impacts and Increased noise. The bridge was 32 metres high at its lowest point and construction was projected to cost $46 million. 

Construction commenced in 1994 with the State Government providing $6 million towards the construction of pylons.

When the Labor party formed Government in NSW in 1995, Premier Bob Carr provided no further funding citing environmental concerns, siding with Sutherland Council. Construction was stopped. 

Source: Morris, L. 1995. "Clash over $1bn 'shelved' roads". The Sydney Morning Herald, November 1:5.  

Bushfires at Menai in 1997 along with traffic studies highlighted the need for a new bridge and it led to the State Government to provide funding to complete the bridge. $47 million was allocated in mid 1998 to complete the bridge but with four lanes. 

Source: Bernoth, A. 1998. "Planned Woronora bridge gains two more lanes". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 24:4.

Finally, NSW Roads (successor of the Roads and Traffic Authority) uploaded a short film to Youtube documenting construction.

 

Part II next week.