Saturday, 23 August 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Meriton Advertisement (1973)
Monday, 18 August 2025
VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Bondi Junction Piazza (2001)
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Saturday, 16 August 2025
Property Advert of the Week: "San Michelle" at Queenscliff (1970)

Monday, 11 August 2025
VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Otis Personal Rapid Transport System for Central Sydney (1974)
Did you know that in the 1970s, the Otis Elevator Company proposed a personal rapid transport system to transport people in central Sydney?
Below is a newspaper feature from The Sydney Morning Herald in 1974.
Along the four-mile proposed route (Approximately 6.5 kilometres) from the Sydney Opera House to Central Station, vehicles seating up to 24 people would operate either at ground level or on elevated rails. This was seen as a solution to traffic congestion and air pollution in central Sydney. It was even suggested that it could be used to serve the Northern Beaches, which at the time (and still is) not served by heavy rail.
Source: Anon. 1974. "Air cushion travel proposed". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 30: 3.
Saturday, 9 August 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Neeta Homes (1992)
Below is a 1992 newspaper advertisement by Neeta Homes. Not long after this advertisement was published, the company went into liquidation (May 1992). Buyers only needed $1000 for an initial deposit, while the total price of a house and land package ranged from $ 99,500 to $ 149,000. House and land packages were available in Liverpool, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Penrith, and Camden regions, along with Bligh Park and the Central Coast.

Monday, 4 August 2025
VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Circular Quay facelift (1972)
Over the years, there have been several visions to give Circular Quay a facelift, many of which have never become a reality, either in part or in whole.
Below is one vision from 1972 that was published in The Daily Telegraph. In summary, the vision was to:
- Renovate the wharves with glazing (renovations did not occur until the 1990s, and Wharf 3 was rebuilt in the 1980s to accommodate the Freshwater Class ferries and their automated gangways.)
- Covered walkway from the Sydney Opera House would be extended down to the Cahill Expressway.
- A waterfront public square, tavern and restaurant along the waterfront at East Circular Quay.
- New paving
- Electric Train with open-air carriages (carnival style)
- New lighting
Saturday, 2 August 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Arena, Rockdale (2002)
Monday, 28 July 2025
VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Sydney Light Rail Loop (1987)

This would have encompassed two of the light rail routes that operate today - L1 line (Central Station - Dulwich Hill via Pyrmont and Lilyfield) and L2 (From Central Station to Randwick),along with the line looping down to La Perouse using the former tram corridor along ANZAC Parade before turning towards Botany and would have included a stop at Sydney Airport. It would then head towards Dulwich Hill.
It has to be asked - Is it still possible for this vision to become reality? Yes. The L1 and L2 routes already encompass a large share of the route. The former tram corridor along ANZAC Parade is still there - It can be reverted for Tram use. The La Perouse to Dulwich Hill component though isn't clearly shown in the map that featured in the newspaper clipping, though I think they would have considered using the Port Botany-Sydenham Freight Line as part of any route, however considering that the line is used for freight purposes may render that as unfeasible along with the final section from Marrickville to Dulwich Hill.
Our readers or followers of public transport might have their own ideas or may know more. Feel free to leave a comment or two.
Saturday, 26 July 2025
Property Advert of the Week: "Valley View" Estate, Berowra (1964)
In early 1964, a block of land in the "Valley View" estate at Berowra cost £1095 ($2190). According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this is equivalent to $37,500 in today's money.

Monday, 21 July 2025
VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Widening George Street Footpaths (1986)

Source: Nicholson, L. & Mulligan, M. 1986. "City to open up for pedestrian network" (1986). The Daily Telegraph, December 9: 3.
Visions of Sydney is back for the next five weeks, as I explore some of the visions that never quite became a reality in Sydney, or were an early scheme or proposal for an eventual project or scheme. This focuses on transport and public spaces, as Never Built Sydney encompasses buildings and architecture.
In this entry are two newspaper clippings from December 1986, when the NSW State Government proposed widening footpaths on George Street by removing one lane in each direction from use by vehicular traffic. It was even considered to convert George Street to one-way traffic.
Three decades later, the construction of the Sydney CBD Light Rail project would see the street converted into a pedestrian boulevard, initially from Bathurst Street to Hunter Street, before being extended to cover George Street from Rawson Square to Bridge Street.
Pedestrians would eventually claim control of George Street; however, if the original scheme had been implemented and nothing else had changed, it would have paved the way for George Street as it exists today. The outcome we see would still have eventuated.

Saturday, 19 July 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Hitter Homes Newspaper Advertisement (1969)
Below is a 1969 newspaper advertisement from Hitter Homes promoting a new estate at Wentworthville, along with house and land packages. It promotes "luxury homes" at Bass Hill, but cannot confirm if they are house and land packages or display homes. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, house and land packages equate to spending as little as $ 163,000 in today's money.

Monday, 14 July 2025
Remember This? Winter Swimming at Bondi Icebergs (2004)
In recent times, there has been an increasing appeal of immersion in cold water, such as ice baths, due to the health benefits it can bring to a person and its potential to aid in the healing of muscle injuries. However, this has been disputed by some.
Our mild winters and warm coastal waters, even in cooler months of the year, make swimming in Sydney a year-round activity. The biggest challenge of swimming in Sydney during winter is not the water itself. It's being out of it that's a problem, i.e. exposure to the cold air.
Water temperatures in winter average from 19 to 21 degrees. The coldest month for ocean waters is usually August, but it can be in September.
In our coastal suburbs, air temperatures on the coldest mornings are around 5 degrees, which makes being in the water more appealing than braving the cold on land.
Below is a 2004 feature on Bondi Icebergs and its increase in membership numbers associated with an increase in Sydneysiders opting to brave the cold temperatures for their early morning swim.
Source: Creighton, L. 2004. "Dawn patrol as winter swimmers splash out". The Sunday Telegraph, June 6: 20-21.
Saturday, 12 July 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Oakford, Sydney CBD (1997)

Monday, 7 July 2025
Remember This? Sunday Afternoon Football (2005)
I recently came across this feature from The Daily Telegraph that was published in its Monday sport section Final Score on July 25, 2005. In the middle of the liftout (and the newspaper itself) is a two-page photo spread and article on the AFL and NRL fixtures played the previous day, which attracted large crowds
The main photo is from the Round 20 NRL match between Wests Tigers and South Sydney that was played at Leichhardt oval. The photo features the hill at full capacity with the match proceeding under shade in the foreground. A ground record was set that day - 22,877, which still remains in 2025. Wests Tigers won 42-20 and would go on to become the NRL premiers that year

Saturday, 5 July 2025
Property Advert of the Week: 63 Helen Street, Lane Cove (1971)

Monday, 30 June 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Moore Park Trademart (1988)
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Newtown Silos (2003)

Monday, 23 June 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Grace Bros Chatswood Office Tower (1969)
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Saturday, 21 June 2025
Property Advert of the Week: "The Big 3 in New Homes" (1988)

Source: Anonymous. 1988. "The Big 3 in New Homes" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 18: 21.
In 1988, Landcom, Hooker Housing Group and the St George Building Society (Now St George Bank) teamed up to provide a house and land package. Landcom provided the block, Hooker Housing Group would build the home and the St George Building Society provided the loan. Only 200 homes were on offer, priced from $69,950 to $109,500.
Monday, 16 June 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Cronulla Hotel & Heliport Proposal (1960)
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In 1960, plans were unveiled for an 18-storey hotel, topped with a heliport, at Cronulla in Gerrale Street, opposite Cronulla Park and Cronulla Beach. From the information that I have, an exact location is not known, but based on maps, this development would have to be located in or around the intersection with Surf Road, which intersects with the park.
The estimated cost was around £3 million ($6 million).
Concerns were raised about the overshadowing of Cronulla Park and Cronulla Beach (also known as South Cronulla to locals), the loss of views, and noise concerns associated with the placement of a heliport atop the hotel, as well as parking issues.
Sutherland Council rejected the proposal in June 1961, ensuring "no future for this hotel plan".
Source: Anonymous. 1961. "No future for this hotel plan". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, June 28: 13.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Property Advert of the Week: De La Salle Exclusive Homes (1971)
Monday, 9 June 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Early Westfield Hurstville Scheme (1975)
Source: Anon. 1975. "Big New Shopping Complex". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, December 3: 3.
Westfield Hurstville was opened in 1978. At the time of opening, it had 120 stores anchored by Waltons, Coles and Nock & Kirbys. It was confined to a block bound by Park Road, Cross Street and Humphreys Lane before being extended over Park Road in 1989/1990.
Before the expansion at the end of the 1980s it also had the Snowy Hill Park, open to the public at all hours of the day.
In 1975, an ambitious proposal was lodged with Hurstville Council (now Georges River Council), which envisioned an even larger park spread on its roof (equivalent to a town square) and an office building, which had become standard with any Westfield development at the time. Three levels of retail would be provided.
Jake Harproff had recently posted scanned images from a document to the Old Shops Australia Facebook Group.
The cross sections from three different angles gives one the perspective of the layout, which would differ significantly from what would be built within the original section of the centre.
- Snowy Hill Park would be built atop a three-level car park located at the Humphreys Lane end, with footbridges connecting the centre to Forest Road. It would act as a town centre for central Hurstville.
- An office block with three levels of office space to be built above the rooftop car park. This component was scrapped.
- Three levels of shops, but would become two levels when the design was modified to the eventual original layout, and the retail area was extended down to Humphreys Lane, while Snowy Hill Park was reduced.
- As originally planned, the department store (Waltons) would be located towards the Park Street end. Coles would be located on level 1 (and has been since opening in 1978).
- Provision of space for a discount department store (didn't eventuate in 1978).
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Eastlakes Home Units Ad (1966)

Monday, 2 June 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Reschs Brewery Redevelopment Scheme (1983)
The former site of the Reschs Brewery at East Redfern is home to the Moore Park Gardens estate, a residential development comprising 575 apartments in 11 buildings. the brewery was closed in 1983 and the residential development was completed in 1996.
Source: Johnston, M. 1983. "Homes for 600 at old Resch's brewery". The Daily Telegraph, August 20: 7.
Below is the original 1983 proposal to redevelop the former brewery. This coincided with Tooths being taken over by Carlton & United Breweries (CUB). Production of Reschs then shifted to the CUB Brewery at Broadway (now home to Central Park, Sydney). CUB no longer brews beer in New South Wales, either brewed in Melbourne or at Yatala in Queensland.
Six office buildings (up to 18 storeys tall) were proposed as part of the redevelopment along with town houses and apartments to house around 600 people. Nine of the former brewery buildings would be incorporated into the redevelopment, and a public park would also be provided.
Source: Coultan, M. 1983. "$250m plan for brewery site". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 20: 4.
The development was planned in a way that the office buildings would create a buffer zone that separated the residential component from the nearby industrial area.
Source: Anonymous. 1983. "Draughting a new village". The Daily Telegraph, August 27: page unknown.
It was anticipated that construction would be completed in stages over seven years, meaning full completion by 1990. By 1990, the site was empty and still undeveloped.Saturday, 31 May 2025
Property Advert of the Week: 108/1 Missenden Road, Camperdown (1998)
Below is a 1998 newspaper advertisement for an apartment for sale at 1 Missenden Road, Camperdown. The apartment was listed through Richardson & Wrench, Glebe. No price is listed for the two-bedroom apartment.
Source: Richardson & Wrench Glebe. 1998. "Luxury Living at an affordable price". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2: 35RE (Real Estate).
Monday, 26 May 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: AML & F Redevelopment Proposal (1989)
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In 2023, I posted an entry on the fire that destroyed the Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Co. Building at Ultimo in 1992.
At the time of the fire, the site was facing redevelopment. In 1989, Essington Developments Lrd. (owned by Kerry Packer) proposed a plan to convert the building into a hotel and apartment building. There would be 150 apartments along with a four star hotel. A small office building along with retail would also be provided. The redevelopment was projected to cost $200 million.
Source: Dixon, A. 1989. "New life for a grand old building" . The Sydney Morning Herald, March 29: 2.
The restoration of the former woolstore would have been similar to the Goldsborough Mort Woolstore located further up Harris Street. However had this had gone ahead and there was no fire to the woolstore itself, it have meant that those in Ultimo would not have the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre which occupies part of the present site. The Harry Seidler-designed building is a local landmark in itself.
Related Entry
1992: Ultimo's Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Co. Building destroyed by fireSaturday, 24 May 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Campbelltown Land Release (1969)
Below is a 1969 newspaper commercial promoting a land release at Campbelltown. It doesn't specify where in Campbelltown exactly, but it would have to be in a suburb within the Local Government area. There is a rail track featured in the map where Campbelltown Road crosses over as a bridge, and that points most likely to be in Leumeah, as the road does cross over the Southern Rail Line there.
The Southern Line had been electrified to Campbelltown the previous year (1968), which meant commuters could travel directly from the region to the city in around one hour. Their key selling point was the commute time. It does take an hour for a commuter from Cronulla to travel to the city by train,n for instance, and Cronulla is closer to the city than Campbelltown is.
Monday, 19 May 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Centennial Place Towers (1980)
In this entry in the latest instalment of Never Built Sydney, I look at one of the never-built proposals for what is now the site of the Centennial Plaza complex in Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (Opposite Central Station). The site comprises three office towers—16, 13, and 10 levels, respectively—a public square, and ground-floor retail.
The site was originally home to the Tooheys Brewery, which opened in 1875
In 1976, Tooheys shifted its brewing operations to its present site Lidcombe. They sought to redevelop the site, blending in the old with the new. This included two 16-storey office buildings and the retention of historical buildings fronting Mary Street. 84-86 Mary Street (separate site) would also be preserved and eventually was converted into office space.
Source: Jones, J. 1980. "Tooheys plans to spend $35m on old brewery". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 11: 19.
What makes this proposal stand out from the eventual complex is the incorporation of heritage into the development. It may have limited the space for the office buildings and clustered them closer to each other, but it would have been more friendly to the streetscape and sympathetic to Surry Hills itself.
One downside is that the buildings would appear aged today but could potentially be ripe for redevelopment in Sydney of 2025.
Saturday, 17 May 2025
Property Advert of the Week: "Mintcol" by Claron Homes (1973)
Below is a 1973 newspaper advertisement for "Mintcol". It was a model home that was located at 176A Old Northern Road, Castle Hill. The home is still standing there today.

Monday, 12 May 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Governor Phillip Tower 1982 Scheme (1982)
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Saturday, 10 May 2025
Property Advert of the Week: HomeWorld (2002)
Newspaper advertisements for HomeWorld in our weekly property adverts are regular, and they're good for comparison and understanding how their marketing has evolved.
Below is an advertisement published in The Daily Telegraph in 2002. This focuses on the "New for Old" (a new home built on an existing block) and the financial gain one could get if they knocked their house down and built a new one from scratch.

Monday, 5 May 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: 40 Park Street (1988)
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Above: Parkline Place as viewed from Park Street at Hyde Park. Photo taken by the Author (2025). |
Saturday, 3 May 2025
Property Advert of the Week: Penrith Land Release (1969)
Below is a 1969 newspaper advertisement for a house and land package on offer at Penrith. The area is currently in South Penrith and would encompass the neighbourhood that is home to the Jamison Hotel and close to Jamison Park.
The package included a 3-bedroom brick veneer home on a block of land. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this was equivalent to spending $155,000 in today's money, which is very good value for money.

Monday, 28 April 2025
NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Harrah's Sydney Casino Proposal (1986)
Sourced from: Dale, D. & Shanahan, D. 1986. "Sydney Casino: FBI checks US partner". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1.
For the first time in two years, Never Built Sydney is back for another series, as I look at more of the "never builts" that were proposed for Sydney.
As part of the redevelopment of Darling Harbour in the 1980s, the Wran and Unsworth Governments sought to develop the eastern side of Cockle Bay into a Casino and Hotel complex. This was also a solution to rid the city of illegal gambling houses.
The site in question is currently the site of the Darling Park complex, comprising three office towers and the Cockle Bay Wharf dining precinct.
Sourced from: Holland, M. & Ringrose, D. 1986. "Casino deal 'cannot be scrapped'". The Daily Telegraph, August 12: 1 & 2.
In 1985, the Wran Government put the site up for tender. American casino operator Harrah's (owned by hotel chain Holiday Inn) in conjunction with Hooker Corporation was awarded the contract on June 24, 1986. Their proposal for the Casino Resort would comprise two buildings: one rising atop the Western Distributor and fronting Cockle Bay to around 11/12 storeys tall, which would feature the casino, while a 45-level hotel tower would be built towards the corner of Druitt and Sussex Street.
Sourced from: Ringrose, D. 1986. "Hooker vows: We'll fight for casino". The Daily Telegraph, August 13: 1 & 2.
Why did it not proceed?
Source: Dale, D. & Shanahan, D. 1986. "Sydney Casino: FBI checks US partner". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1.
The process required tenders (and individuals involved) to pass an "integrity check, " equivalent to a police check on an individual who may be considered for employment within a company. The Sydney Morning Herald in July 1986 revealed that Harrah's was under investigation by the FBI in the United States and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement over a claim that "it used organised crime figures to arrange deals with a union". This had not been uncovered during the initial integrity checks.
Source: Dale, D. 1986. "Questions Atlantic City wasn't asked". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1 & 4.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement responded that the NSW Government had not approached them.
Source: Holland, M. & Ringrose, D. 1986. "Casino deal 'cannot be scrapped'". The Daily Telegraph, August 12: 1 & 2.
The revelation led to the State Government cancelling the contract on August 12 1986. Harrah's and Hooker took the government to the NSW Supreme Court claiming that the government were obligated to comply with the agreement. It would be settled out of court in 1989 with the NSW Government paying the consortium $33 million in compensation plus $5 million in court costs, a fraction of the $700 million initially demanded.
Source: Ringrose, D. 1986. "Hooker vows: We'll fight for casino". The Daily Telegraph, August 13: 1 & 2.
New tenders were sought later that year and continued into 1987, but integrity checks saw all tenders rejected. Harrah's and Hooker tried again, but were unsuccessful. By the end of 1987, the Unsworth Government attempted a third round of tenders.
In 1988, the Unsworth Government was replaced by a Coalition Government under Nick Greiner. With $500 million still owing on the cost of the Darling Harbour Redevelopment, the NSW Government shifted in 1989 towards a mixed-use development of the site with a hotel, offices, and retail buildings to be built. In 1991, Darling Park was conceived, with towers built in three stages—1992, 1999, and 2005—with Cockle Bay Wharf constructed in 1998. The proposed hotel tower did not proceed.