Taking a temporary break

I have had a few commitments lately, which have impacted my ability to prepare the weekly postings. Therefore, I will be taking a short break from posting entries until the end of September. This will allow me to attend to them and not be pressed to meet "deadlines." 

In the meantime, enjoy what is already been featured here. It is not going to disappear any day soon.  

Property Advert of the Week: Forge Real Estate (1984)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1984 from Forge Real Estate. In addition to helping homebuyers obtain a home without a deposit, they provided support with financing and access to government grants. The main office was at Baulkham Hills, but Home Advice Centres were located in St Clair and Oxley Park.

Source: Forge Real Estate. 1984. "New Home Buyers...No Deposit". The Daily Telegraph, January 14: 27. 

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Completion of Bennelong Apartments (1998)

This week's entry in the series focusing on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay is on the completion of Bennelong Apartments in 1998.

The building itself at 1 Macquarie Street was the first building in both developments to be completed. The remaining buildings, including Mirvac's Quay Grand Development, would be completed the following year.

Completion revealed one change to the design: purple windows, which needed to be approved by Sydney City Council as part of the Development Application.

Source: Skelsey, M. & McDougall, B. 1998. "Final Insult: Colour purple renews calls for building's demolition". The Daily Telegraph, March 25: 4.

The Daily Telegraph shared two photos of the views from the 13th floor, which gave its readers what the residents would expect from their apartments. Apart from the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House, one aspect of the view made it better (in the newspaper's view)—you couldn't see "the toaster." 

 

Source: Skelsey, M. 1998. "The best way to see the Toaster...from the inside looking out". The Daily Telegraph, June 20: page unknown.

By the end of 1998, the scaffolding was coming off Quay Grand. 

Source: Skelsey, M. 1998. "Look what's popped up beside the Toaster". The Daily Telegraph, November 26: 22.

There were also changes to its design, which were approved.

Source: Totaro, P. 1998. "Facelift for second of Quay buildings". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 28: 5.

While not mentioned in previous entries from 1997, the remaining three buildings (3,5 & 7 Macquarie Street) during that year were approved for residential use, reverting to their original plans. Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels Group decided to scrap the hotel scheme on economic grounds. Only 22 apartments had been sold across the four buildings by May 1998. The campaign against the development had allegedly scared off buyers. 

  

Source: Totaro, P. 1998. "East Circular Quay units a sales flop". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 20: 1. 

Three months later (August 1998), all unsold apartments went on the market.

Source: Chancellor, J. 1998. "Finding bread for the Quay's 'toaster'". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 15:13.

Bob Bohlen, who was involved in marketing the units for sale, felt that the apartments may have struggled to sell because they were "overpriced" but were confident they would sell.

Source: Hill, K. 1998. "Quay image problem fails to faze $4m man". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 26: 7. 

By the end of the year, The Australian reported that approximately 70 apartments had been sold, less than one-third of the development's apartments. The highest sale price for a single apartment was $7 million.

Additional Sources Used

Sexton, J. 1998. "Locals butter Toaster's bread". The Australian, December 30: 7.

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)
13. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)
14. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction commences (1995)
15. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction continues (1996)
16. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)
17. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)
18. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Redevelopment Visions (1997)
19. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): NSW Government Response (1997)

Property Advert of the Week: Century Green by Clarendon, Lidcombe (2000)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 2000 to promote the Century Green estate by Clarendon Homes. The estate is located on the site of the former Lidcombe Hospital and the Media Centre used for the 2000 Olympic Games. Four bedroom townhouses were on sale from $290 000 and 2 Storey Homes from $440 000.  

Source: Clarendon Homes. 2000. "Century Green by Clarendon" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, April 8: 11. 

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): NSW Government Response (1997)

Looking back at recent entries in the series, 1997 was a major year in the redevelopment of East Circular Quay with the construction of the new buildings, criticism of the redevelopment, public opposition and from its opponents, alternative schemes to redevelop the area. 

This week, we will focus on the State Government's response to the redevelopment and its response to criticism from opponents of the redevelopment. 

East Circular Quay was under the jurisdiction of Sydney City Council, which regulated planning guidelines. As the redevelopment of both development sites at East Circular Quay was over $50 million each, the Central Sydney Planning Committee had the authority to either approve or reject a proposed development. The committee was not comprised entirely of those sitting or working for the council. Four members of the committee are appointed by the Planning Minister. 

Opponents felt that the State Government needed to take action to halt redevelopment. As mentioned in Part #18 (June 24 2024), the NSW Government had ruled out the acquisition of the site due to the cost - $700 million at the start of 1997.

David Brice Scheme

Last week, I provided an overview of David Brice's scheme to consolidate the sites of Quay Apartments and the Royal Automobile Club onto one site, build one tall tower, and scale back the development at East Circular Quay.

Source: Totaro, P. & Wainwright, R. 1997. "Quay question: will Sydney accept this trade-off?" The Sydney Morning Herald, June 4.1.

He was unable to persuade the State Government to consider his scheme. The State Government felt that the proposed park at East Circular Quay was not a suitable tradeoff in exchange for building the 55-storey tower south of the Cahill Expressway, citing the size of the park and the proposed height of the tower. 

Land Swap proposals were suggested such as redeveloping part of Observatory Hill Park, but were not supported by the government.

Source: Anon. 1997. "Architects want Bridge park swap". The Daily Telegraph, April 16: 15. 

Bob Carr's view

It was reported that Bob Carr (Premier) was privately supportive of demolishing the Bennelong Apartments building, though it was the cost of demolition that it would impose on the State Government that was holding him back

Source: Allen, L. 1997. "Demolition a tall order". The Australian, March 29: page unknown. 

Some cited articles mentioned in this post were sourced from the Factiva Database.

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)
13. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)
14. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction commences (1995)
15. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction continues (1996)
16. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)
17. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)
18. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Redevelopment Visions (1997)

Property Advert of the Week: Ingleburn Town Estate (1974)

Below is a 1974 newspaper advertisement promoting a land release in Ingleburn located to the east of the town centre. Blocks were on sale from $10 750, equivalent to approximately $104 500 today (RBA Inflation Calculator)

 

Source: Bill Hall Real Estate. 1974. "Beat This: Ingleburn Town Centre" (Advertisment). The Daily Telegraph, June 29: 41.

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Redevelopment Visions (1997)

Before pausing the series five weeks ago, two entries had been posted just on events in 1997 alone. The first entry focused on progress with the construction of the buildings, while the second entry focused on the protests and demonstrations that had occurred during the year.

This week, the focus is on the alternative schemes proposed by critics and opponents of the redevelopment as a solution to the concerns raised. 

Architect Visions

Source: Susskind, A. & Totaro, P. 1997. " Two high minds take a long, tall, sally forth into Quay controversy. The Sydney Morning Herald, April 4: 3. 

In April 1997, The Sydney Morning Herald, published two schemes proposed by architects as solutions to concerns associated with the redevelopment of East Circular Quay by concentrating development towards the Cahill Expressway end of the block and converting the remaining space into public space.

From Source: Susskind, A. & Totaro, P. 1997. " Two high minds take a long, tall, sally forth into Quay controversy. The Sydney Morning Herald, April 4: 3. 

Tony Rodi and Paul Johnson proposed two forty-storey twin towers, placed at each end of Circular Quay, shaped like a pyramid, with landscaped space to occupy the former buildings at East Circular Quay. The objective was to create a "majestic gateway" to Sydney. 

From Source: Susskind, A. & Totaro, P. 1997. " Two high minds take a long, tall, sally forth into Quay controversy. The Sydney Morning Herald, April 4: 3. 

Harry Seidler adopted a simpler approach, focusing on one tower that would be the tallest in Australia.

The return of David Brice

Source: Totaro, P. & Wainwright, R. 1997.  "Controversial building may go, but at a high price". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 20: 1.

David Brice has been mentioned in previous entries as part of the series as he sought his own development proposals for the precinct. His solution was to merge the sites of the Royal Automobile Club and Quay Apartments and build a "needle like" highrise tower on the consolidated site of around fifty stories. A low-rise hotel would be built on the site of the Coca Amatil building, with the building height stepping down to lowrise at its northern end, opening up the views of the Royal Botanic Gardens. His scheme was reported to have cost an estimated $800 million. 

Source: Totaro, P. & Wainwright, R. 1997. "East-west land swap proposed to solve Quay crisis". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 5: 6.

 

Source: Totaro, P. & Wainwright, R. 1997. "Quay question: will Sydney accept this trade-off?" The Sydney Morning Herald, June 4.1.

The NSW State Government rejected Mr Brice's proposal.

   

Source: Jlmenez, C. 1997. "State rejects new Circular Quay plan". The Australian Financial Review, June 4: 46. 

  Source: Harley, R. 1997. "RACA meeting to consider Quay development proposal". The Australian Financial Review,  June 16: page unknown  

The disadvantage of Brice's scheme was that the Royal Botanic Gardens would be overshadowed by a taller building on the Royal Automobile Club & Quay Apartments site.

    Source: Totaro, P . & Wainwright, R. 1997. "Casting a long shadow over Quay development". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 11: 7.

Members of the Royal Automobile Club were asked to vote and ultimately voted down the proposal

 

Source: Totaro, P. & Wainwright, R. 1997. "Anger at error over Quay deal". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 27: 5.

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)
13. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)
14. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction commences (1995)
15. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction continues (1996)
16. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)
17. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)

Property Advert of the Week: "El O'Livio", Tamarama (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement for the "El O'Livio" at Tamarama. It was advertised as located in Bondi. Two and three-bedroom apartments were on offer from $22 000, which would be equivalent to one spending $291 500 today (RBA Inflation Calculator). 

 

Source: Parkes Sales Pty. Ltd. 1971. "El O'Livio" ( Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 5: 42.