580 George Street is one of my favourite skyscrapers in the vicinity of Town Hall Station. Completed in 1988, the 37-storey office building rises 162 metres above street level. The tower was designed by architect Kevin James Rice and was influenced by 1930's Art-Deco style.
We may not have had this building built in this style. In 1982, plans were for a simpler box-style design for the tower, which was to be occupied by State Government Departments - Government Insurance Office (GIO) and the Water Board. The tower was slated to be taller - 45 stories.
Source: Rich, J. 1982. "Lost appeal clears way for $80m City office tower". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 21: 14.
Below is a photo of 580 George Street taken in 2012 by yours truly at almost the exact location of the artist's impression, which shows the eventual tower appearing slightly shorter, though the architectural feature (spire) atop the building may suggest what the possible height could have been.
The eventual design of the tower was lodged as a development application to Sydney City Council in 1984 after developer John Denoon bought the site for $13.5 million in July of that year.
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