Property Advert of the Week: The Classics by AVJennings Homes (1983)

Below is a 1983 newspaper advertisement by AVJennings Homes to promote the five model homes that comprised of the "AVJennings Classics 84 Range". 

Source: AVJennings Homes. 1983. "The Classics by AVJennings Homes" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, August 27: 17. 

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. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Shangri-La Hotel, Haymarket (1983)

In 1982, plans were unveiled to build a 26 level hotel and convention centre atop what is presently Paddys Markets at Haymarket. It would be managed by the Shangri-La Hotel Group. Sydney City Council were keen to have it cut to twelve storeys. 

It was planned with the impending redevelopment of Darling Harbour but also to take advantage of being at the door of the newly completed Sydney Entertainment Centre. 

Source: Coultan, M. 1983. "Council keen to limit Haymarket hotel height". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 5: 2. 

Remember This? Natural Gas Advertisement - "Sydney Under Snow" (1983)

Yesterday, Penrith recorded the highest temperature on the planet - 47.1 degrees while on the coast, it hit 43 degrees, the hottest day recorded in five years.

Meanwhile, many areas of the United States has been subject to an Arctic blast particularly in the north east and mid west.

But how would Sydneysiders cope with a such a cold blast? AGL tried to answer that in 1983 as part of its marketing to attract customers.

As a bonus from that time, here is one of the famous "flame girls" advertisements. They would disappear during the 1990's.

EVOLUTION OF WORLD SQUARE: Kenzo Tange's Original Scheme (1983)

After last week's post on the original plans for the redevelopment of World Square, I've decided to focus this week on the next major proposal which dates to 1983.

In 1981, Ipoh Gardens Berhad ended up with the site and had planned for a multi-tower development just on the site of Anthony Horderns, including retaining some of its famous facade. There would also be a park in the middle.

Just two years later the proposal was revised. Unlike the scheme proposed in 1981, it would now encompass the entire city block bounded by George, Goulburn, Pitt and Liverpool Streets.

Many will associate Kenzo Tange's involvement with the 1985 scheme, which is highly talked about because of the positioning of towers in the shape of the Lotus flower. You'll find out about that next week.

The scheme according to The Sydney Morning Herald on May 17, 1983, comprised three towers:

Tower 1 - 59 floors (Office & Residential)
Tower 2 - 53 floors (Hotel)
Tower 3 - 38 floors (Office)

The towers would rise over a four-level podium. 

Source: Lawson, L. 1983. "$478m complex could replace Hordern building". The Daily Telegraph, May 18: 9.

Heritage experts were calling at least for the facade of Anthony Horderns to remain but it was argued that it would be too expensive to undertake and that the facade lacked craftsmanship.

Construction was projected to take eight years, though The Sydney Morning Herald reported that it could be completed in six years.

1983: Opening of the Sydney Entertainment Centre

The Sydney Entertainment Centre in 2015. Photo taken by the Author. 

A special cover was produced by The Daily Telegraph to mark the opening of the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

This week, we are going to say goodbye to the Sydney Entertainment Centre after 32 years of wonderful service to our city. On Friday, Cold Chisel will reunite for a special gig (performed its final concert at the venue in 1983) while its most loyal client - Elton John will be the last man standing the following night.

To celebrate the end of an era, why don't I go back to the start of the era in 1983 when it first opened.

Opening Day was May 1 1983, opened by NSW Premier Neville Wran before a capacity crowd. The opening event was an entertainment spectacular which was broadcast Australia wide on the Nine Network.

The night was compered by Bert Newton. Entertainers included Olivia Newton-John, Peter Allen & Jon English.

And how did Sydney get its entertainment centre?

Photo taken by the Author. 

In the 1970's, Sydney simply did not have a world class indoor entertainment venue. The major concerts had to be held outdoors. Our older readers might remember for instance having to watch Neil Diamond or ABBA perform at the Sydney Showgrounds. At the start of that decade, Sydney Stadium which hosted major concerts including The Beatles was demolished to make way for the Eastern Suburbs Railway Line.

In 1975, the city's fruit and vegetable markets had relocated to inner-west Flemington from Haymarket which provided an opportunity for the area to be revitalised. Other venues were proposed, including Kings Cross and the Sydney Showgrounds but the Government decided on Haymarket. Work began in 1979 and cost $41 million to build.

The Entertainment Centre had a capacity of 12 000 for concerts or 10 000 for sporting events. As a theatre venue, it could accomodate 3 500 people.

Apart from concerts, the Sydney Entertainment Centre has also functioned as a sporting venue, home to the Sydney Kings who compete in the National Basketball League. For the Olympic Games in 2000, it hosted the volleyball final.

Finally for those who love their facts - Dire Straits performed the most concerts as part of a tour (21) in 1986, while Elton John has performed 45 concerts, the most by a performer over the lifespan.

We will have to wait one more year before our Entertainment Centre reopens as part of the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre. the ICC Performance Centre will be smaller than Entertainment Centre with a capacity of 8000. The reduction in capacity is to make it more distinct from AllPhones Arena (Sydney Olympic Park) which can host in excess of 20 000 people for a concert.

Recent work on the ICC Performance Centre. Photo taken by the Author. 

Recent work at the rear of the Sydney Entertainment Centre as part of The Haymarket Development. This was the former carpark. Photo taken by the Author. 

There are proposals at the moment to build another multi-performance venue that would have the same capacity as the existing centre. One location suggested is Wentworth Park.

As for the site, this is how it will look in a few years from now. It will be a place where people will live, work and play in a new city precinct - The Haymarket.

Photo taken by the Author.