Monday, 8 April 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The Revolving Office Tower Scheme (1991)

East Circular Quay November 30 1991 Weekend Australian
Source: Cameron, F. 1991. "Revolving idea attracts foreign interest". The Weekend Australian, November 30: page unknown.

Last week, I posted Colonial Mutual Limited (CML) 's 1991 proposal for the Bennelong Centre at East Circular Quay, which Sydney City Council rejected.

Towards the end of 1991, Hassell Architects unveiled a proposal to construct the first revolving office tower in the world on the site. While the proposal attracted global interest, CML was not interested. Three years earlier, CML had secretly rejected the scheme. 

East Circular Quay November 26 1991 daily telegraph 1-2 (1)

East Circular Quay November 26 1991 daily telegraph 1-2 (2)

Source: McDougall, B. 1991. "A new tower to turn heads". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, November 26: 1-2.

Hassell Architects was no longer bound by the agreement and could make it public. They wanted Australia to have the first tower of its type built in the world.

The rotating tower would rise thirty-six stories and turn 180 degrees each day, tracking the sun. Tenants would have harbour views every second day. It was designed in the shape of a leaf, and the circular core of the building would remain stationary. 

Given CML's lack of interest, this proposal didn't go far. 

It also attracted criticism from planning experts and environmentalists.

East Circular Quay Tower November 27 1991 daily telegraph 9
Source: Scott, S. & Bisset, K. 1991. "Turning tower in trouble". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, November 27: 9.  

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