NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Novotel Brighton Beach (1986)

Source: Dainford Limited. 1986. "Unique Hotel" (Advertisement). The Weekend Australian, May 10: Page Unknown.

This is the last entry of our current series of Sydney's "Never Builts". 

Novotel Brighton Beach opened in 1990 as The Resort Hotel Brighton Beach before accquiring the Novotel Name in 1993. The four and a half star hotel rises 12 storeys above the suburb and replaced the Brighton Hotel.

Dainford Limited built the current hotel and retail complex, but in 1986 called for tenders to either manage the hotel/tavern operation or for an owner operator to joint venture the total complex.

The "Registration of Interest" as published in The Weekend Australian featured a different design to what was built. It appears that a taller, slender tower was proposed at around 19 storeys tall and was to be positioned in the south-western corner of the site. 

However, there was nothing else which mentioned this proposed scheme, not even in the local newspaper - The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. 

Dainford faced hurdles just to have a major hotel complex approved. It was opposed bv residents who feared that it could set the precedent for large scale developments along the western shores of Botany Bay while Rockdale Council supported the development for attracting tourists and commercial activity to the area. 

Property Advert of the Week: Northmead Land Release (1966)

Our Property Advert of the Week is from 1966. Parkes Developments were promoting a land release at Northmead. Published two days before the changeover to decimal currency, a £25 deposit secured your block of land.

Going by the map, the lots encompassed an area bounded by Reillys Road and Barnetts Road, incorporating Kelvin Grove and Stephenson Street. 

  

Source: Parkes Developments. 1966. "Land First Release Northmead" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, February 12: 43. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Southpoint Tower (1989)

Southpoint Tower. Full Citation below. 

This is our ninth posting in our current series of "Never Builts" in Sydney. I hope you have been enjoying the entries so far.

Last month, I posted some alternative schemes associated with the Capitol Theatre in Haymarket from 1989. At the same time in Campbell Street (site of the Regis Towers by Meriton), New Zealand developer Grose Property Holdings sought to build a 43 level office tower with 100 000 sq/m of space, This included a three level retail podium. 

Source: Walkley, P. 1989. "Grose plans $200 million office development". The Australian Financial Review, December 1: page unknown. 

It was reported by The Australian Financial Review (above) in 1989 that there was demand for office space as shown by low vacancy rates around Central Railway Station along with its proximity to Sydney's main railway station. In addition rents in the "uptown" section of the Sydney CBD (southern CBD) was much more competitive for tenants. 

Approval was given by Sydney City Council, in June 1990. The site was placed for sale in 1991. In 1996, the buildings on the site were demolished by Meriton for the Regis Towers development which comprised of three towers fronting Campbell, Castlereagh and Pitt Streets, completed in 1998-1999.

Unfortuantely, this proposal was another victim of the early 1990's recession and property crash in Sydney. 

If this had been built, I think the southern end of the Sydney CBD would have been more appealing for major companies seeking office space and given an alternative to the northern end of the city. The southern end of the Sydney CBD has lacked landmark office towers. Combined with the original World Square development, "Uptown" Sydney would be more vibrant and more active as a commercial centre.

It is encouraging that the Liberal Government in NSW (2011-Present) has supported a relaxation of planning guidelines in the area surrounding Central Station and encouraging major technology firms to set up corporate headquarters. Southpoint could have set a precedent, but Atlassian's World Headquarters slated for the western side of Central Railway Station will get the honours instead. 

 

Property Advert of the Week: The Cosmopolitian, Crows Nest (1998)

Our Property Advert of the Week is from 1998, when apartments were on sale in "The Cosmopolitian" on at 236 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest. Prices started at $225 000. 

 

Source: Realty Marketing. 1998. "The Cosmopolitian" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2 1998: 18RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Cronulla Leagues Club & Endeavour Field Development (1968)

Source: Anon. 1968. "$3m sports centre soon". The Daily Mirror, July 2: 59. 

When Cronulla entered the NSW Rugby League Competition in 1967, they played the first one and a half seasons at Sutherland Oval, Sutherland before relocating to Endeavour Field, Woolooware in mid 1968 (Currently known as PointsBet Stadium).

In 1968, plans were unveiled for a $3 million development of the site which promised:

• A Football Stadium seating 25 000 people.
• "Ultra Modern" Leagues Club

The leagues club was to be built to the west, where the Woolooware Bay Development stands today. 

The current leagues club commenced construction in 1973 and Stage One was opened in 1977. It's construction coincided with the club falling into financial difficulties. The Leagues club is currently being redeveloped at a cost of $20 million as part of the broader redevelopment of its land including apartment towers and a retail complex.

As for Endeavour field itself, the capacity eventuated at around 20 000, but compared with other football grounds, the model appears to show the ground to be ahead of the times with tiered seating around the stadium. Consider this against what fans at Kogarah Oval, Cumberland Oval (Parramatta) or the Sydney Sports Ground had to contend with at the time.

It was such an ambitious plan that didn't get to see the light of day. If it had gone ahead, Cronulla Leagues Club could have likely become the "Taj Mahal" of Sydney Clubs, dethroning its neighbours at St George Leagues (In its glory days) and even with redevelopments etc, being a leading club in Sydney today.

I think too, the redevelopment of the land in more recent times, would have had a different outcome, with a likely hotel development also included. The hotel itself may have even included in a future expansion in the 1980's or 1990's for instance. As for a retail complex on its land, still possible at its eastern end. 

Property Advert of the Week: Mala Homes (1962)

Below is a 1962 newspaper advertisement from Mala Homes. House and land packages were on offer at Baulkham Hills, Pendle Hill and Liverpool. Deposits started from £595 ($1190) at Liverpool to £845 ($1690) at Baulkham Hills. 

In todays money according to the RBA Inflation Calculator , the deposit was approximately $18 200. 

Source: Mala Estate Agency Pty. Ltd. 1962. "Mala Homes" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, April 14: 43. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Twin Tower Scheme for the MLC Centre Site, Martin Place (1971)

The MLC Centre has recently undergone a $170 million renovation of the 67 level tower and retail centre. 

Designed by Harry Seidler and completed in 1977, it was the tallest skyscraper in Sydney at 228 metres for a quarter of a century.along with being the tallest skyscraper in Australia from 1977 to 1985.

Plans for the site as we see it date from 1973, but one scheme from 1971 proposed two towers instead of one, 

Construction was proposed to be undertaken in two stages. State One would have seen contruction of the tower facing Martin Place with mid 1974 as the anticipated completion date. It was reported to have been thirty five storeys tall, but appears as being only 29 storeys tall. Stage two would see the construction of a 42 storey tower towards King Street.   

Source: Anon. 1971. "$70 Million Project". The Daily Telegraph, June 22: 3. 

Upon reflection, I am glad that this scheme for the MLC Centre did not proceed. I think one tower has worked well for the site but also providing public space in the podium has worked well. Martin Place in front of the MLC Centre has been traditionally the most active stretch of the space, enhanced by the performance space in front which allows for entertainment and other cultural activities to occur. 

Property Advert of the Week: Sylvania Terrace, Sylvania Waters (1988)

Below is a 1988 newspaper advertisement by Meriton Properties (Apartments) promoting townhouses in their development at Sylvania Waters. It was advertised as being located at the corner of Box Road and Belgrave Esplanade. 

Source: Meriton Properties Pty. Ltd. 1988. "Sylvania Terrace" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, October 14: 7.