Property Advert of the Week: Engadine Land Release (1964)

Below is a 1964 newspaper advertisement promoting a land release at Engadine. It is not explicitly stated in the advertisement as to where in the suburb the land release was located, but interested buyers were to meet a sales representative at the intersection of (old) Princes Highway & Railway Parade (Princes Highway). This is the intersection where KFC Engadine is located today. 

Source: Parkes Developments Pty. Ltd. "Young folk are moving to Engadine" (Advertisement). The Daily Mirror, January 3: 44. 

A £50 ($100) deposit was required to secure blocks ranging from £795 ($1590) to £1150 ($2300). In today's money, that would range from around $28 100 to around $40 650 (RBA Inflation Calculator). 

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Woolwich Redevelopment Scheme (1960)

An artists impression of the redevelopment scheme. Full citation below.

Full citation below

Recently, I came across a 1960 newspaper clipping in The Daily Telegraph that mentioned plans to redevelop the Woolwich Dock, owned by Mort's Dock and Engineering Co. Ltd.

The redevelopment proposal was conceived in response to the company's liquidation, and the redevelopment of the site would enable creditors to recoup their losses.

It was envisaged that 2000 apartments would be built to house 5000 people. Around twenty high-rise towers would have been built under the scheme to accommodate the apartments.

In 1963, the Army purchased the site and occupied it until 1997. It was used for repairs and maintenance. In the late 1990s, plans were proposed to redevelop the site into housing.

Source: Anonymous. 1960. "Woolwich Development Scheme". The Daily Telegraph, August 26: 5.

Locals objected to any development and advocated for the land to be handed over for public use. In 2001, the Harbour Trust assumed control of the site and enabled public access. The privately owned Woolwich Dock continues to provide repair and maintenance services to boat owners.

The site as it looks today, with the St Leonards skyline rising in the background. Photo taken by the Author (2025).

Property Advert of the Week: Sienna Apartments, Rockdale (2002)

Below is a 2002 newspaper advertisement to promote apartments for sale in Tower 1 of the Sienna Apartments in Rockdale.

Apartments were on sale from $ 270,000, but a $ 1,000 deposit could secure the apartment, with no further payment until completion the following year.

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Source: Laing & Simmons. 2002. "Sienna Apartments" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, February 16: 13 (Homes Liftout).

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Strathfield Plaza Scheme (1969)

This is the last entry in the current batch of the Never Built Sydney series.

Strathfield Plaza opened in 1981. The completed retail complex incorporated mixed-use development above it, with a nine-storey office tower and a 13-storey apartment tower rising from a four-level podium containing the shopping centre and parking garages. This made it one of the earlier Sydney retail complexes to combine shopping, office and residential uses within the same development.

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "$13m plan awaits Minister's ruling". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 12: 8. 

In 1969, plans for the centre were more ambitious. An early scheme proposed two 25-storey apartment towers rising above a four-level retail podium. Even the plans for Strathfield Plaza were ambitious, with space to be allocated for a department store. 

Had the 1969 scheme been realised, apart from the high-rise towers themselves (and they would still have stood out at 29 levels), Strathfield Plaza might have emerged as a serious competitor to Westfield Burwood, particularly if a major department store had occupied the space. At the time, Farmers was the anchor tenant at Westfield, so its competitors - Grace Bros, David Jones and Waltons could have made a presence in the centre had the 1969 scheme been approved, and Inner West retailing would not be what it is today. 

Property Advert of the Week: Chelsea Court, Surry Hills (1992)

Below is a 1992 newspaper advertisement for Chelsea Court in Surry Hills. Two bedroom apartments were on offer from $260, 000. 

Source: Toga Building Company Pty. Ltd. "Chelsea Court, Surry Hills" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 16: 5. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Milsons Point "Chirpy" Tower (2004)

Full Citation Below

The Metro Edgely Consortium (Multiplex and Edgely Family) were the owner of Luna Park in 2004. In January 2004, just over two months prior to reopening the amusement park, the park proposed a plan to renew the site. This included a 14-storey office tower on the hill adjoining the park, designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall.

The argument for the tower, to be built alongside a cinema complex within the amusement park, would ensure the park's financial future.

Source: Richards, S. 2004. "Dim view of latest Luna Park fun and games". The Daily Telegraph, January 30: 13. 

Residents opposed the project on the grounds that it would block views. There was also support towards the site acting as a park and a restaurant to be built alongside the park

Plans for the tower were rejected in 2005 by NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor, who approved a seven-storey building on the site instead. 

No building was ever built on the site. It became Northcliff Park, which was opened in 2019.

Above: Northcliff Park. Photo taken by the Author (2021)

Property Advert of the Week: "Lani Gardens", Bexley (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of homes in the "Lani Gardens" complex in Bexley. Prices for villas started from $19,750, which would be equivalent to around $272,000 today (RBA Inflation Calculator). 

 

Source: Brian A. Moore & Partners Pty. Ltd. 1971. "Lani Gardens" (Advertisement). The Sun, September 3: 58.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Regent Hotel - Early Scheme (1978)

In 1978, the NSW Government announced plans to construct what would become the Regent Hotel (now Four Seasons Hotel), one of Sydney's most prestigious and famous hotels. The hotel was opened in 1982 with 531 rooms.

Did you know that the 30-storey hotel had a different design proposal when it was announced? Below is a 1978 article from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Source: Anonymous. 1978. "$40m luxury hotel planned for Quay". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 23: 10. 

Property Advert of the Week: Austral Farm Lots (1967)

In 1967, Carnegie Real Estate were selling 5-acre farm lots at Austral. One key selling point for acreage was that the lots were connected to Sydney's water supply.

  

Carnegie Real Estate Pty. Ltd. 1967. "5 acre farm lots on city water supply (Advertisement). The Daily Mirror, September 8: 53.