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)