SYDNEY DEPARTMENT STORES: Demise of the Hordern Tree (1974)

Last week, I shared an entry on the end of Anthony Horderns focusing on the takeover of the company by Waltons in 1970. This week, I will focus on the demise of The Hordern Tree at Razorback Ridge near Camden.

Anthony Hordern's motto was "While I live I'll grow" and this was symbolised by a budding tree on the crest of their coat of arms. An oak tree at Razorback Ridge near Camden bore a striking resemblence to the tree and Anthony Hordern arranged with landowners in the 1920's to have the company motto plced at that location.

The 1960's was not kind to the Anthony Hordern's. It lost trade as rival department stores opened suburban stores along with the rise of shopping centres reducing the need for shoppers to trek to central Sydney to do their shopping.

In 1967, tree vandals tried to posion the tree but it was unsuccessful.

 

Source: Anon. 1974. "The tree vandals tried to kill". The Sun, May 10:31. 

However, the "Sygna" storm of 1974 would finally claim the tree when it split in two. This came months after Horderns Mid City store was closed by its owner - Waltons (Click here to read more about their takeover from 1970) the previous year. It is believed that the demise of the tree was linked to the end of the Anthony Hordern's Department Store chain. 

Source: Anon. 1974. "'While I live I'll grow' - no more". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 28: 2. 

Property Advert of the Week: Cheltenham Heights Estate, Pennant Hills (1968)

Some readers may have thought that this advertisement would focus on a housing estate within the suburb of Cheltenham. 

Even I was fooled when coming across it and was even being fooled again in preparing this entry.

Below is a newspaper advertisement that was published in The Daily Telegraph on 14 December 1968.

Blocks were on offer in the estate for $5250 which is equivalent to $68 522 today (RBA Inflation Calculator)

Source: Hooker-Rex. 1968. "New Release! 25 Blocks". The Daily Telegraph, December 14: 48. 

Going by the map provided and current maps, Boundary Road would be what is Kurrajong Street, Pennant Hills today.

 

I believe that the name was given because the estate borders Cheltenham but there is no direct road access from the estate to Cheltenham.

SYDNEY DEPARTMENT STORES: The end of Anthony Horderns' (1969)

The demise of Sydney department store chain Anthony Horderns' extends for a longer period of time than what this entry will focus on.

This entry will focus on the sale of Anthony Horderns' in 1969 which marked the end of its existence as a department store chain.

In November 1969, the Brickfield Hill store which had traded for a century closed. This generally went unreported by the newspapers. I could not even find any "closing down" advertisements.

The following month saw its compeitors rival for control:

• Buckinghams Holdings Limited (Buckinghams) - $6 million offer
• Waltons Limited - $9.3 million offer

Developer Stocks & Holdings also joined in the frenzy, offering $8.6 million for the company.

   

Source: Riggs, C. 1969. "$8.6m city store bid is accepted". The Daily Mirror, December 3: 2. 

This proposal had been accepted by the company. 

As the fight for control ensued, the company sold its Brickfield Hill site for $8.5 million to the State Superannuation Board.

 

Source: Anon. 1969. "Hordern's Site Owner Named". The Daily Telegraph, December 24: 1. 

On 5 January 1970, Waltons gained majority ownership, when it accquired 36% of the company from its rival bidders - Buckinghams and Tjuringa Securities. 

 

Source: Anon. 1970. "Waltons claims victory". The Daily Mirror, January 5: 26.

Shares in the company (Anthony Hordern & Sons Limited) were delisted from the Sydney Stock Exchange on 8 April 1970, completing the take over process

Source: Anon. 1970. "The last day for Anthony Hordern". The Sun, April 8: 68.

Hordern's Mid City Store closed in 1973. 

Property Advert of the Week: Willoughby Homes - "The Victoria" (1966)

Below is a newspaper advertisement promoting "The Victoria" by Willoughby Homes from 1966. This model home was on offer for £4159 ($8318). 

Note: Goods and Services could be sold in pounds, shillings and pence for a two year period following the introduction of decimal currency in 1966.

Source: Willoughby Homes Pty. Ltd. 1966. "The Victoria" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, October 15: 28. 

SYDNEY DEPARTMENT STORES: Waltons Town Hall closing day (1987)

I was motivated to share this post after a recent posting of newspaper advertisements from a previous entry on the Old Shops Australia Group on Facebook.

I shared the advertisements, but I did have a newspaper clipping from the last day of trading at Waltons Store at Town Hall on 9 February 1987 before it would be demolished for the Park Plaza/Skytower complex.

It was anticipated that Waltons would return by October 1988, but that did not eventuate as the Bond Corporation struggled to obtain approval for their tower, and eventually sold the site to Kumagai Gumi and Sogo (Japanese Department Store chain) for approximately $278 million in 1989.

 

Source: Andrews, M. 1987. "Half-price clearance as an old shop shuts". The Daily Telegraph, February 10: 7. 

With items marked down to half price, an estimated 100 000 shoppers ventured through the doors creating an atmosphere like that of the Boxing Day sales. 

The Sydney Morning Herald (10 February 1987) reported that it took over an hour to clear the store as staff funnelled customers down towards the ground floor when the doors closed. For those still there, bargains of up to 80% were on offer 

Later that month, Waltons was sold by Bond Corporation to the Venture chain, marking the end of the Waltons Department Store chain. Waltons Town Hall was no more.

Related Entries

Remember this? - Waltons Town Hall Closing Down Sale (1987)

You may also find my series on the Evolution of the Citigroup Centre worth viewing as it was the redevelopment of the site that was behind the closure and demolition of Waltons Town Hall.

• Original 1982 Scheme
• Park Tower (1986)
• Skytower (1987)
• Park Plaza (1988)
• Park Plaza IV (1988)
• Park Tower (1990)
• Park Tower II (1994)
• Citigroup Centre (2000)
• Citigroup Tower & Galeries Victoria in 2018
• "What if" (What might have eventuated had any of the unbuilt schemes had proceeded.)

Property Advert of the Week: Craiglea, Kirribilli (1996)

Below is a 1996 newspaper advertisement promoting the Craiglea at 88 Kirribilli Avenue, Kirribilli. Three bedroom apartments were on sale from $750 000.

  

Source: Greencliff Developments. 1996. "Craiglea At Kirribilli" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 22: 11 (Real Estate Liftout). 

1985: Old Como Bridge becomes a footbridge and cycleway

The Old Como Bridge spanned the Georges River between Oatley and Como. It was a single track railway bridge that served the Illawarra and South Coast Railway Lines from 1885 until 1972, when a modern two track bridge was completed next to the original bridge. In 1985, the old bridge was reborn as a footbridge and a cycleway. It was offically opened on 16 December 1985 by Federal MP's Gary Punch (ALP, Barton) and Robert Tickner (ALP, Hughes).

 

Source. Anon. 1985. "Spokes men bridge river gap". The Daily Telegraph, December 16: 7. 

Property Advert of the Week: The Regis Towers - 1st release (1996)

In 1996, Meriton began construction of the three tower Regis Towers complex. The first release of the 653 apartments in the three towers were on sale.

Prices were:

• 1 Bedroom Loft Style Apartments - From $245 000
• 2 Bedroom Apartments - From $320 000
• 3 Bedroom Apartments - From $390 000

Source: Meriton Premier Apartments. 1996. "The Regis Towers" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 22: 16RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

1970: No Lovin in our new plaza (Martin Place)

Source: Oram, J. 1970. "No Lovin in our New Plaza". The Daily Mirror, November 24: 1. 

During the trial closure of Martin Place between George Street and Pitt Street in 1970, Sydney City Council raised concerns about kissing and cuddling after several complaints were received by the public to Sydney City Council.

It wasn't just those who wanted to show their affection, but also, "lay-abouts", "no-hopers", hippies and Hare Krishnas raised concern. Referred to in the article as a "religious sect", the Hare Krishnas raised concern as they engaged in "singing, cymbals clashing and bongo drum thumping".  

The view was that Martin Place was only suited to a "better class of people" who did not need to be subject to "molestation or nuisance".

Simply, the vision for who could access Martin Place by some was that people that were seen as either lazy, unemployed, lacked success in their life, held a low position in society or not seen as conforming to what was regarded as acceptable to society were not welcome, along with those who wanted to use the space to show their affections for one another.

It was disappointing to read that some held such a view. Public spaces such as Martin Place are meant to be open for all to use. It is a gathering place for all groups. Consider the protests and rallies that either travel through Martin Place or occur within the space. Music is in fact encouraged yet in 1970, it was being discouraged. 

To quote "lay-abouts", this suggested that the unemployed were not welcome. Perhaps this may have extended to those who had a job but were not seen as productive. Sadly the reference to "no hopers" indicated that those that were seen as "unsuccessful" or were likely to "fail" were not welcome

 

Property Advert of the Week: Greenacre Estate, Greenacre (1967)

Below is a 1967 newspaper advertisement promoting housing blocks at Greenacre. House and land packages were also on offer by developers John L. Nichols & Co. 

Land was available for under two thousand pounds ($4000) or $12 300 (£6 150) for a house and land package. For the house and land package. that would be equivalent to spending approximately $164 500 today (RBA Inflation Calculator) . The streets in the estate comprise of  Rosalie Crescent and Charmaine Avenue.

 

Source: John L. Nichols & Co. Pty.Ltd. 1967. "Beautiful Greenacre Estate" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, July 29: 43. 

Note: While Decimal Currency was introduced on 14 February 1966, prices of goods and services could still be listed in pounds, shillings and pence for two years following that date.