NEVER BUILT: Northbourne Central (1987)

Full Citation below.

In 1987, a development application was lodged with Sydney City Council for the Northbourne Central Development. It comprised of a 60 level office block on the site of the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel. This would have included 26 levels of hotel space with up to 400 rooms and a separate 10 storey office tower.

Source: Pelly, M. 1987. "Quay hotel plan to earn $3m per year".  The Daily Telegraph, March 12: 5.

The development was slated to have cost $1 billion to build or $2 billion in todays money to build. 

In July, the development application was rejected by Sydney City Council. Concerns were raised over the height of tower, shadowing of Macquarie Place, excess parking, traffic and wind.

Source: Anon. 1987. "Council report rejects $1bn Quay project". The Daily Telegraph, July 28: 16. 

The plan was an upsized version of the proposed Ramada Hotel Tower which was lodged in 1984.

Source: Glascott, J. 1984. "Diamonds on the skyline". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 22: 2. 

Ultimately the Ramada Hotel Tower (the original proposal) proceeded and was completed in 1988.

Property Advert of the Week: AR Homes Advertisement (1966)

 Below is an advertisement from AR Homes promoting a three bedroom brick timber fibro project home. 

Source: Arthur Robinson Pty. Ltd. 1966. Untitled (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, March 21: 40. 

The house featured in the advertisement is similar to the one featured in a previous Property Advert of the Week entry. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Labor Party HQ Redevelopment (1993)

The next ten weeks will be dedicated to building proposals that were planned but were never built in Sydney. 

In the first entry for this series, I will share a proposal by the Australian Labor Party (ALP ) to redevelop its Sussex Street site from 1993. Proposed was a 27 level apartment tower that was to encompass the Labor Council Building and adjoining sites. At this stage, I cannot provide an explanation for its cancellation. 

Source: Lagan, 1993. "ALP building its way out of debt". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14: 4. 

Property Advert of the Week: Beecroft Home Listing (1966)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from The Sun published on October 7 1966. This was for a four bedroom home at Beecroft. The price of £17 500 when converted would equate to $35 000. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this would be the equivalent of around $471 000 today. 

Source: F. C. Fitzroy & Co. 1966. Untitled (Advertisement). The Sun, October 7: 56. 

1965: North Sydney's "Dance of Death"

Fortunately, pedestrians at North Sydney do not have to fear for their safety as if they are crossing from the North Sydney CBD into the residential neighbourhoods to the east of the Warringah Freeway. 

In 1965, the Warringah Expressway was not built, but to access the same neighbourhood, it involved making an eighty yard crossing of the Pacific Highway.

Source: Spooner, P. 1965. "Daily 'Dance of Death' on Busy Road". The Sun Herald, May 30: 17. 

Property Advert of the Week: Heritage Hills, Glenmore Park (1992)

Below is a newspaper advertisement for the Heritage Hills estate at Glenmore Park dating from 1992. Blocks of land were available for just $69 000.

Source: Anon. 1992. "Heritage Hills" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, August 15 : 6. 

1989: Museum of Contemporary Art Plans Unveiled

This year is 30 years since the Museum of Contemporary Art opened its doors to Sydney art lovers. It was interesting to find articles relating to the announcement that Sydney was to get one.

The NSW State Government had vacated the Maritime Services Board (MSB) Building at West Circular Quay. In 1989 it leased the building to Sydney University for just $10 a week, allowing the museum to be created.

Source: Clifton, B. 1989. "Modern Art's Harbor Home". The Daily Mirror, March 22: 39.

Source: Grimshaw, P. 1989. "$100m gift for art". The Daily Telegraph, March 17: 9. 

This fulfilled the vision of former NSW Premier Neville Wran who announced in 1984 that a Museum of Contemporary Art would occupy the building.

Source: Anon. 1984. "Art gallery for Quay". The Daily Telegraph, November 24: 20. 

Through the creation of the Powerhouse Museum, it enabled the university to display the collection of Dr. John Power who bequeathed the university with his collection including artworks.

In 2001, the NSW Government became the main stakeholder for the museum. In 2012, a new five storey wing was completed that increased the size of the museum by 50%. 

Property Advert of the Week: Oakdale Estate - Winston Hills (Old Toongabbie) - 1966

Below is a 1966 newspaper advertisement for new homes at what was advertised as Winston Hills. Currently the estate is located in Old Toongabbie located off Old Windsor Road. Deposits of 1000 pounds ($2000) were being accepted.

 

Source: G. L. H. Young Pty. Ltd. 1966. "Winston Hills. New Oakdale Estate". The Daily Telegraph, March 26: 40. 

Note: Advertising in pounds, shillings and pence was permitted for two years following the introduction of decimal currency in 1966.