East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)

Sourced from: Gruzman, N. 1994. "Folly at the quay". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, June 1: 11. 

This entry focuses on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay in 1994. This year (2024) marks thirty years since the plans for the eventual buildings for the sites owned by Colonial Mutual Limited (CML) and Mirvac were unveiled. 

This does not include 71 Macquarie Street (the former Coca-Cola Amatil building), which would not be subject to redevelopment for another twenty-five years. There will be a separate entry towards the end of the series on its conversion into a luxury apartment complex as it completes the redevelopment of the block from a commercial block into a residential, tourism, and dining precinct.

Last week, I focused on the shift towards potential residential redevelopment of the sites, but the "why" as to the change from commercial to residential was not covered, and as the clippings below will show, there is still no explanation. It can only be speculated as to why the changes occurred, which was reflective of current economic conditions, the property market and Sydney City Council advocating for residential development in central Sydney. 

In May 1994, CML unveiled their plans to redevelop their site. While not explicitly mentioned, Mirvac's proposed (and eventual) building for their site was also unveiled. 

What was proposed?

 

Source: Skelsey, M. 1994. "Luxury units in plan for Quay". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, May 28: 8.

CML proposed two residential buildings for their site with Mirvac also proposing their own residential and hotel building for their site. Buildings ranged from 12-15 levels. By having two buildings on the CML site, the gap allowed for people to be able to view into the Royal Botanical Gardens and Government House from Circular Quay.  

As many as 320 apartments and a 57-room hotel were proposed. Retail space would be provided at street level (both East Circular Quay and Macquarie Street), along with a three-screen cinema, rehearsal space, and an office for the Australian Chamber Orchestra. A colonnade along East Circular Quay would allow people to walk undercover to the Sydney Opera House. 

It was estimated that apartments would cost an average of $750,000 for a one-bedroom unit to $3.5 million for penthouse-style units.

The architect was Andrew Andersons of Peddle Thorp.

Approval

Source: Cook, D. "All clear tipped for Quay proposal". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 1: 3.

The Central Sydney Planning Committee approved both developments on September 1, 1994, by a majority vote (8-1). 

Source: O'Brien, G. 1994. "Circular Quay plans get go-ahead". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 2: 5.

The critics had their say...

It would not receive a universal welcome. Architect Neville Gruzman, in a radio interview on 2BL (702 Sydney), attacked the scheme stating that he was "terribly disappointed that CML - a mutual life company supposed to care for people - should (propose) a great wall, walling off the Quay from the Botanic Gardens" and that "The architects ought to be ashamed of themselves ... I'm disgusted with what they're trying." (The Australian Financial Review, June 1 1994).

He also wrote a feature for The Daily Telegraph Mirror.

Source: Gruzman, N. 1994. "Folly at the quay". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, June 1: 11. 

The series continues next week.

Additional Source:

Tabakoff, N. 1994. "Gruzman attacks gardens 'wall'". The Australian Financial Review, June 1: 41.

Entries in this series

1. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The first apartment block proposal (1979)
2. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme (1984)
3. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1986)
4. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme Revisited (1986)
5. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1987)
6. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's 1990 Scheme
7. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's Bennelong Centre (1991)
8. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The Revolving Office Tower Scheme (1991)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)
10. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)
11. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): New Planning Guidelines unveiled (1993)
12. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The shift towards residential development (1993) 

Property Advert of the Week: 19 Evla Street, Strathfield (1971)

At Strathfield, there is a three or four-level unit block that backs onto Raw Square. If you drive on this road regularly, you may not notice it.

This week, the unit block at 19 Evla Street will feature in our Property Advert of the Week. It is just one block from Strathfield Station and the shopping centre. 

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement promoting two-bedroom apartments for sale starting at $17,900. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, that would equate to spending $ 232,000 today, well below the median unit price of $717 500 according to realestate.com.au

Source: Stocks & Holdings Projects. 1971 "'Heatherton'" Units (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 5: 43. 

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The shift towards residential development (1993)

In the 12th entry of my series, I will focus on the shift towards redeveloping East Circular Quay as a residential precinct.

Colonial Mutual Limited (CML) proposed and advocated for a commercial development of their site, while Mirvac wanted to build a hotel on it.

Economic factors also influenced the type of redevelopment that would result. Office vacancy rates in central Sydney were around 20% in 1993, stemming from the recession of 1990-1991 and recently completed commercial developments that were planned and had commenced construction prior to the recession. 

Sydney City Council were also advocating residential development in central Sydney to encourage more people to live in the city and increase street activity outside of working hours.

In November 1993, Mirvac decided to axe its plan to build a hotel on its site (61 Macquarie Street) and proceed with an apartment tower. CML was "exploring" the option of focusing on residential development.

 

Source: Harley, R. 1993. "Apartments the key for Quay projects". The Australian Financial Review,  November 11: 43.

In December 1993, it was reported that both CML and Mirvac would lodge plans the following year (1994) for redeveloping the sites, but CML had not ruled out a "tower" or "revolving building" based on previous schemes. 

Source: McDougall, B. 1993. "Back to drawing board on Quay". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 3: 27. 

Meanwhile, Mirvac's development application for 61 Macquarie Street (as covered a fortnight ago) had lapsed. The planning guidelines restricted the height limit to that of ICI House, which was currently occupying the site. CML purchased the airspace above ICI House for $12 million in compensation, as any redevelopment of East Circular Quay would limit Mirvac's redevelopment potential on its site.

Source: Harley, R. 1993. "Quay $12m for Mirvac". The Australian Financial Review, October 28: page unknown.  

Next week, I will focus on the unveiling of the scheme that we would see today.

Entries in this series

1. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The first apartment block proposal (1979)
2. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme (1984)
3. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1986)
4. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme Revisited (1986)
5. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1987)
6. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's 1990 Scheme
7. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's Bennelong Centre (1991)
8. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The Revolving Office Tower Scheme (1991)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)
10. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)
11. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): New Planning Guidelines unveiled (1993)

Property Advert of the Week: Ambassador Apartments, Auburn (1993)

Below is a 1993 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of studio apartments in "The Ambassador Apartments" in Auburn. Prices started from just $59 000. 

 

Source: A&S Properties Pty. Ltd. 1993. "The Ambassador Apartments" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, May 29: 6. 

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): New Planning Guidelines unveiled (1993)

Sourced from: McDougall, B. 1993. "Secret Quay plans unveiled". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, March 22: 5. 

Source: O'Brien, G. 1993. "Lower heights, wider views: latest plan for Quay unveiled". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 24: 5. 

Welcome to Part 11 in the series, looking at the redevelopment of East Circular Quay.

Back on April 15, I posted an entry focusing on the 'Ideas Quest' that was organised by Sydney City Council in 1992 as they sought to develop new planning guidelines for the site, following its decision in 1991 to reject a $700 million scheme by Colonial Mutual Limited (CML) to redevelop five sites as a combined development which did not comply with guidelines as set at the time.

Also, in 1992, Mirvac unveiled its plans to redevelop 61 Macquarie Street into a separate development comprising a 22-story hotel tower, which was my focus last week.

In March 1993, Sydney City Council unveiled the new planning guidelines for East Circular Quay in collaboration with the owners - CML & Mirvac. 

Source: McDougall, B. 1993. "Secret Quay plans unveiled". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, March 22: 5. 

What were the new guidelines?

• The maximum height for buildings was set at 44 metres south of Moore Steps.
• The maximum height for buildings was set at 42 metres north of Moore Steps.
• The maximum height of buildings was set at an average of 33 metres at the northern end of the site.
• Public Colonnade along the roadway. 

A concept plan was also made public. 

The Federal Government also provided Sydney City Council with Customs House along with $22 million for refurbishment of the building in exchange for lower height limits. 

There was criticism of the scheme. The Institute of Architects raised concerns about the height and bulk along with detracting from views of the Sydney Opera House.

Source: Anon. 1993. "Architects cool on Quay plan". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, April 1: 17. 

The scheme was approved by Sydney City Council in a majority vote (4-2) on March 29 1993.

Prime Minister Paul Keating sought to intervene and in exchange for lower height limits and improved public access at street level (street closure), he would transfer ownership of Customs House from the Federal Government to Sydney City Council for no cost. 

   

Source: Anon. 1993. "Keating to rule on final Quay design". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, March 29: 6. 

Andrew Andersons was the architect and was forced to defend the criticism about his scheme. He was correct in stating that it was only a concept scheme and that the designs were not final. His argument for the development instead of conversion to a public space was that it provided "an enclosure around Circular Quay to the forecourt of the Opera House."

  

Source: McDougall, B. 1993. "Architect defends 'great opportunity'". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, March 25: 15.

The clipping above also featured an article by Kelvin Bissett revealing that Sydney City Council had approached the State Government and the Sydney Cove Authority about allowing CML to trade their East Circular Quay site for another site in the city to enable the conversion of the site into parkland. 

Ultimately, the guidelines would set the framework for the eventual development that we would see.

Our series continues next week.

Entries in this series

1. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The first apartment block proposal (1979)
2. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme (1984)
3. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1986)
4. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme Revisited (1986)
5. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1987)
6. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's 1990 Scheme
7. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's Bennelong Centre (1991)
8. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The Revolving Office Tower Scheme (1991)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)
10. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)

Property Advert of the Week: "The Lincoln" by Gavan & Shallala (1967)

In 1967, Gavan & Shallala had a "The Lincoln" on offer for $7990, which is equivalent to $120 000 in today's money according to the RBA Inflation Calculator.

The home, built on a block of land, contained three bedrooms with a "L-shaped" hall to separate it from the living area. For an additional $700, a garage could be built alongside the home.

A display home for potential buyers could be inspected in Bass Hill on Farrell Road.

 

Source: Gavan & Shallala. 1967. "Big rooms for great living by Australia's largest home builders" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, July 29: 21. 

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)

Source: Chancellor, J. & Cook, D. 1992. "Mirvac keen to go alone on Quay site". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 11: 26. 

After a two-week recess, I present the tenth entry on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay. A fortnight ago, I posted an entry on the 'Ideas Quest' held by Sydney City Council to determine future planning guidelines for Circular Quay. This followed the rejection of Colonial Mutual Limited's (CML) $700 million proposal to redevelop five blocks and consolidate them into a single commercial development.

Mirvac owned 61 Macquarie Street and had been encouraged to unite with AMP (Owners of the Coca-Cola Amatil Building) and CML to redevelop the entire block in a joint project.

Instead, Mirvac proposed their own development for their site in late 1991, but it was not made public until the following year. This would be their first scheme to redevelop the site, which would eventually become a hotel and apartment complex, home to the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour Hotel.  

The office building occupying the site was to be demolished, and a 22-level, 254-room hotel would be built. The building would have been similar in height to existing buildings on the block, but there were concerns about increased shadowing at Circular Quay in the early morning. 

So why did this plan not proceed? The answer shall be revealed next week

Entries in this series

1. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The first apartment block proposal (1979)
2. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme (1984)
3. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1986)
4. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme Revisited (1986)
5. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1987)
6. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's 1990 Scheme
7. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's Bennelong Centre (1991)
8. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The Revolving Office Tower Scheme (1991)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)

Property Advert of the Week: Excelsior, Surry Hills (1997)

Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for the Excelsior complex at 242 Elizabeth Street in Surry Hills. One-bedroom apartments were available from $172 000, and two-bedroom apartments were available from $332 000. 

   

Source: Charles & Stuart & Colliers Jardine. 1997. "Excelsior...a true classic..." (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, April 5: 11RE (Real Estate Liftout).