Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for the Oakford complex at 252-258 Sussex Street (right at the corner of Sussex and Druitt Street), opposite the Darling Park Complex. It is presently the YEHS Hotel - Sydney Harbour Suites. This was geared towards investors as opposed to home occupiers, given that they are being managed as serviced apartments.
Source: Metroland Development Pty. Ltd., Premier Realty Pty.Ltd & PRD Realty. 1997. "Invest in the Best" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 24: 17RE (Real Estate Liftout).
The question will arise from time to time - Where is the geographic centre of Sydney?
The geographic centre of a city does not refer to the Central Business District (CBD) but refers to the centre point of a city based on its urban sprawl - Where can one be where the midpoint between two locations is consistently the longest based on the perimeter of the metropolitan area.
In 1997, the Geographic centre of Sydney was identified as Rydalmere. The Sunday Telegraph identified the residence where the centre was located (in the backyard). The home was located at the corner of Fallon and John Streets.
Source: Stuart, S. 1997. "Heart of the city". The Sunday Telegraph, October 5: 5.
Sydney's Geographic Centre was most recently identified in 2018. Between 1997 and 2018, it had shifted north in a northwesterly direction, remaining within Rydalmere. At one point, it crossed to the northern side of Victoria Road as urban sprawl gravitated towards the Hills and Blacktown LGAs before it started to shift southwards in 2005. By 2018, it had settled in Dorothy Street.
Given that urban sprawl in Sydney shifted towards the southwest after 2000, the Geographic Centre of Sydney is projected to move to the southern shores of the Parramatta River.
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.
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.
Source: Anon. 1997. "Protest Rally" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, May 28: 17.
The redevelopment of East Circular Quay was controversial. The posts in this series have highlighted the controversy surrounding how to redevelop the precinct. Concerns were associated with the building's proximity to the Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
By the summer of 1996/1997, Bennelong Apartments had topped out as part of its construction, giving one an idea of its height and bulk. After years of viewing artists' impressions, architectural drawings and plans, Sydneysiders could now judge with their eyes whether or not the redevelopment was suitable for its location.
Up until this point, criticism was confined to the media—calls to radio stations, letters to newspapers, newspaper commentaries, and interviews.
This continued through the first weeks of 1997. The NSW Government ruled out halting construction as the cost to NSW taxpayers of halting the development would be $700 million, spending that was not justified in light of other spending priorities such as health and education. The State Government response in 1997 will be looked at in an upcoming entry, given the content now warrants a separate entry.
Source: Vass, N. 1997. "Halt to quay development ruled out". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 22: 7.
Opponents saw an opportunity and began a campaign of demonstrations to persuade the NSW Government to halt the development and purchase the site to stop any further development. This would have included the deconstruction of the buildings being built.
Source: Totaro, P. & Wainwright, R. 1997. "Our towering eyesore...how Carr set the ball rolling in 1988". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 15: 35.
On February 14, 1997, 3,000 people gathered at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, calling for construction to stop. NSW Premier Bob Carr sought Federal Government intervention.
Source: Anon. 1997. "Federal funds can save Quay". The Sun Herald, February 16: 3.
Another demonstration was held on April 6, attracting 3,500 people. This also included a concert.
Source: Save East Circular Quay. 1997. "Public Rally & Jazz Concert (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, March 31: 3.
Source: Susskind, A. & Riley, M. 1997. "'Tiny crack' in the wall buoys Quay protestors". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 7: 1 & 4.
One demonstration was organized outside Parliament House on May 28. Clover Moore (MLA, Ind. Bligh) presented a petition with 40,000 signatures against the development.
Source: Totaro, P. & Wainwright, R. "City Council was told it could block Quay building". 1997. The Sydney Morning Herald, May 28: 3.
As the protests and opposition against the development continued, the developer wanted Sydneysiders to "give us a chance".
Source: Hilferty, T. & Skelsey, M. 1997. "Give us a chance: Quay developer's plea to the people of Sydney". The Daily Telegraph, September 11: 8.
On September 21 1997, a group of protestors decided to try and pelt the unfinished building with tomatoes and rotten eggs.
Source: Anon. 1997. 'Protestors take aim against the quay's rotten egg". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 22: 2.
Harry Seidler regarded the redevelopment as an "insult", though he had proposed a low-rise scheme a decade earlier but had shifted in that time to the one tall building at the Cahill Expressway with the remainder of the precinct, opened up.
Source: Susskind, A. 1997. "An insult to Opera House, Seidler says of Quay Plan". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 7: 4.
Even the suburban mayors joined in.
Source: Wainright, R. 1997. "Mayors speak out over Quay 'eyesore'". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 21: 3.
Finally, this was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on April 15 1997, summarising architects' views on the development and their concerns.
Source: Susskind, A. 1997. "The architects: A 'monument to compromise'". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 15: 35.
For the next four weeks, I will do a mid year Remember This? Series, before resuming this series on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay.
The series on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay has now reached Part 15. Last week, I focused on 1996. That year saw apartments in both developments by Colonial Mutual Limited (CML) and Mirvac go on sale along with construction, though the media thought that it was progressing slowly if anything at all.
The next three entries focus on 1997, which was marked by drama. Construction gained pace, but while that was happening, Sydneysiders rallied against the redevelopment. Even though its future had been set a few years earlier, critics of the redevelopment continued to push forward visions for the precinct.
This week's entry focuses on construction, while next week's entry focuses on the public protests. The third entry looks at the visions for redevelopment of East Circular Quay that were presented during that year as solutions to address public opposition and concerns raised by its critics.
Construction continued and gained pace during the year. It was clear that the buildings were going to be built to completion.
Source: Anon. 1997. "Quay project can't be stopped". The Daily Telegraph, April 4: 9.
In 1997, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel Group were still proceeding with their plans to consolidate 3,5 and 7 Macquarie Street into one building with 220 hotel rooms.
Source: Skelsey, M. 1997. "Quay site turns into hotel on the harbour". The Daily Telegraph, May 2: 9.
For the majority of the year, Bennelong Apartments was draped in scaffolding. The building had topped out early in the new year.
Source: Darmann, J. 1997. Untitled. Photograph. The Daily Telegraph, January 15: 11.
The Daily Telegraph even posted construction updates to update readers on progress. Some of the updates are featured below.
Source: Anon. 1997. "Quay's finish in site". The Daily Telegraph, March 24: 14.
Source: Anon. 1997. "A guarded response". The Daily Telegraph, April 7: 16.
Below is an image taken from The Rocks taken around June 1997.
Sourced from: Wainwright, R. 1997. "Plan hatched in luxury suite". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 2: 8.
Bennelong Apartments gets labelled "The Toaster"
In September 1997, the hoardings came off the Bennelong Apartments, and for the first time, Sydneysiders got to see the building. Martin Alexander Middleton of Portsmouth, England, told The Daily Telegraph that it looked like a "toaster". The general sentiment by tourists was that of disapproval, and that would support locals who voiced their concerns about the development.
Source: Skelsey, M. 1997. "Covers off new Quay building". The Daily Telegraph, September 9: 2.
By the end of 1997, construction had shifted to the interior of Bennelong Apartments, while the other buildings were in their early stages of ascension.
Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for the Excelsior complex at 242 Elizabeth Street in Surry Hills. One-bedroom apartments were available from $172 000, and two-bedroom apartments were available from $332 000.
Source: Charles & Stuart & Colliers Jardine. 1997. "Excelsior...a true classic..." (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, April 5: 11RE (Real Estate Liftout).
Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement promoting a new release of units in The Goldsbrough complex in Pyrmont, including studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Studio apartments were on sale from $190 000, one-bedroom apartments from $255 000 and two-bedroom apartments with terraces from $485 000.
Source: Colliers Jardine & Charles & Stuart. 1997. "Now showing for the first time" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, April 5: 11RE (Real Estate Liftout).
Below are links to two other advertisements relating to The Goldsbrough.
This week is the last of our Property Advert of the Week entries for 2023. Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for Century Tower. Two bedroom apartments were on sale from $378 600.
Source: Sunlord. 1997. "Century Tower" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, July 5: 13RE (Real Estate Liftout).
Property Advert of the Week will return on the first Saturday in February 2024.
Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for the Wondakiah Estate at Wollstonecraft. The estate is a brownfield development built on what was formerly the North Shore Gasworks which operated on the site between 1913 and 1987. Prior to that, the land was a sugar mill for Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR) and was even an explosives factory.
In 1997, apartments were on offer from $395 000, but residents had access to resort-style facilities such as a marina, jetty, clubhouse, tennis courts, swimming pools, cafe, security and exotic gardens.
Source: KYKO Property Sales. 1997. "Wondakiah" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 24: 10 (Real Estate Liftout).
Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement by Australand Properties to promote the Rivermont Place development at Menai.
The apartment block featured occupies land at the corner of Allison Crescent and Schofield Place, Menai, with the townhouses located in the vicinity. It is opposite the HomeCo. Menai Marketplace, providing residents with easy access to shops.
Source: Australand Properties. 1997. "A sensational new address at Menai" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 11: 4.
Today, Sydney buses are generally regarded as moving billboards, to the point that window views are generally obstrucutred.
"Advertising Buses" in Sydney have been around for nealy fifty years, and began with five government buses in the 1970s. At least the windows were not covered.
Source: Glascott, G. 1977. "Surfing lions and popsicle-eaters ride the buses". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 1: 5.
Joseph Glascott wrote a feature article for The Sydney Morning Herald in 1977 on the buses. Views were mixed.
"oldtapecaptures" uploaded a clip to Youtube of a Stevie Wonder Segment featuring the Stevie Wonder themed bus above. The bus itself played Stevie Wonder music.
Above: Promotional poster featured in The Sunday Telegraph on 28 December 1997.
Saturday is New Year's Eve in Sydney, and it will feel well and truly back to normal this year. Last year would rank among the quieter New Year's Eves because of the spread of the Omicron Variant of COVID-19, which meant that many decided not to risk infection by staying home. On 31 December 2021, 22 577 people across NSW tested positive for COVID-19. A reported 30 000 gathered to watch the fireworks, but the figure would likely be higher given that those with views of Sydney Harbour would have been able to watch from their home.
The previous year (2020) saw access heavily restricted under the Zero Covid policy that NSW and the Commonwealth applied at the time. Key vantage points were closed to the public to avoid mass gatherings as the Northern Beaches experienced an outbreak. Those in the Northern Beaches were subjected to stay-at-home orders.
It will be a quarter of a century before we explore 2020 and 2021, but let's wind back the clock a quarter of a century to 1997.
The story so far...
Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations had their origins in 1989. Back then, it was a thirty-minute fireworks show held at 9pm, which continued each year. Midnight fireworks commenced at midnight on 1 January 1994, though confined to Sydney Tower and Darling Harbour.
The midnight display was first screened on television on the Nine Network to usher in 1997 at midnight on 1 January 1997, while the 9pm show was first broadcast on 31 December 1994, though delayed until midnight. The first live broadcast of the 9pm show was on 31 December 1996.
What was new in 1997?
Source: Totaro, P. 1997. "$2m spectacular to welcome 1998". The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 December: 2.
Sydney City Council's aim was to make the celebrations bigger for each year leading up to 1999, and they did not let people down:
The introduction of the first bridge effect - a smiley face.
Extended entertainment program - Children's concert began at 4pm at Hyde Park and a flotilla of boats shooting fireworks every four seconds from 8:30pm.
A fireworks barge located west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the first time to "double the impact" of the fireworks.
Fireworks were to be launched from Star City Casino alongside Sydney Tower at midnight.
While the fireworks were directed by Ric Birch, two companies provided the fireworks - Syd Howard Fireworks International & Foti's.
Above: Vantage points to view the fireworks as published on Page 4 of The Daily Telegraph on 31 December 1997.
Compared with the previous year, a similar number of fireworks were to be released - 20 000 fireworks with five tonnes of explosives.
The projected cost of the festivities was $2 million, up from $1.5 million the previous year.
The Nine Network provided live coverage of the fireworks for a second year, with 2UE providing a simulcast of the soundtrack featured in the show.
Transport Arrangements
Below are the public transport arrangements for New Year's Eve 1997 as advertised in The Sunday Telegraph on 28 December 1997. By now, Sydney was mastering the art of transporting the hordes in and out of the city.
Driving was not recommended, given large sections of the Sydney CBD and The Rocks were closed to vehicular traffic. Despite the fireworks, several lanes of the Sydney Harbour Bridge remained open.
Fireworks Wrap Up
Below is coverage of the festivities from The Daily Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald on 1 January 1998.
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Daily Telegraph
A final word...
I wish each person a safe and enjoyable new year, regardless of how you want to mark it.
Each year, it has become a Christmas custom for me to post an entry focusing on how Sydney marked Christmas 25 years earlier.
The year of focus is 1997.
I have decided to change focus to the actual celebration of Christmas and media coverage and dispense with the retail advertisements as I have done in previous years.
Above is a list of the services available for Christmas Day and Boxing Day as published in The Daily Telegraph on 25 December 1997.
On Christmas Day, Hotels are still allowed to trade from noon to 10pm, but only dining areas and that alcohol can only be purchased with a meal.
Generally, there has been little or no change to the services provided. However, there have been changes such as Cinemas being permitted to trade longer hours or fast food outlets electing to open, particularly McDonalds.
Below is Page 4 from The Daily Telegraph (25 December 1997), containing a summary of Christmas Messages from Prime Minister John Howard and Church Leaders, and a typical summer weather forecast for the day with 26 degrees.
The Sydney Morning Herald has maintained a tradition of not publishing on Christmas Day. Below is coverage of Christmas Day as reported in its edition of 26 December 1997.
Below are two clippings relating to how the day was marked across the city, including the homeless and disadvantaged.
Source: Hill, K. 1997. "Day of giving: less holy but wholehearted". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 26: 4.
There was even a feature on church services attended by prominent Sydneysiders.
Source: Pitt, H. 1997. "Jockey's lean days are over". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 26: 4.
For the followers of consumerism, retailers were happy with sales in the leadup to Christmas. Given the headline spread across the page, there is also a photo of backpackers spending the day at Bondi Beach, a feature on seafarers marking Christmas and preferred destinations for the summer break by Sydneysiders.
Source: Cummins, C. & Jamal, N. 1997. "Retailers reap best harvest in years". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 26: 4.
Finally, I would include a newspaper clipping of Carols in the Domainwhich was heldon 20 December 1997. Sadly, I could not locate an article on it for 1997, but I can provide the finale which was uploaded to Youtube by Daniel Celeno.
Noni Hazelhurst & John Jarratt (Better Homes & Gardens, Seven Network) returned for a second straight year to compere the evening. Have fun identifying the stars, but I will mention that a young Hugh Jackman performed on the evening.
That is our snapshot for Christmas 1997. I wish each person a very safe and wonderful Christmas.
