Fab Sydney Flashbacks: Colonial Mutual Life

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Monday, 28 October 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Completion (1999)

East Circular Quay September 7 2000 SMH Domain 22 enlarged

From: Blok, M. 2000. "Ferry nice". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 7: 22 (Domain Liftout).

The end is in sight for this series on East Circular Quay as the focus shifts to the completion of the redevelopment.

1999 saw the completion of the main residential development, comprising Bennelong Apartments, 3,5 and 7 Macquarie Street, and Mirvac's Quay Grand project. Two decades later, the separate redevelopment of the Coca-Cola Amatil building would complete the transformation of the area.

Either love it or hate it

The original twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York were never architecturally impressive. When they officially opened in 1973, they struggled to attract tenants. What ultimately made the Twin Towers successful was what they offered inside the building, such as open floor plans without columns, which catered to the needs of corporate firms. In the 1990s, it became one of the most prestigious addresses to base a company in New York City.

This development may not have been architecturally attractive, but it succeeded based on what was inside the building. As residential buildings, they are amongst the best located in Sydney. It was as close to the Sydney Opera House as one could get and had spectacular views of the city, harbour, and its icons and luxurious living. Shops, restaurants and a cinema were available at ground level and a short walk to buses, trains and ferries. Had a city office? You could walk to it.

Those with big wallets were prepared to pay for a slice of the action.

East Circular Quay April 18 1999 Sun Herald 25

Source: Mitchell, A. 1999. "$14m for slice of Toaster". The Sun Herald, April 18:25.

Retail & dining restrictions

For retail and dining tenants at the base of the buildings, restrictions were placed on their operations, such as trading hours, the type of furniture and fit-outs. Nightclubs were not permitted, and a 2am curfew. This would be enforced by the Strata Corporations in the buildings.

East Circular Quay April 15 1999 daily telegraph 15

Source: Skelsey, M. 1999. "Toaster's pub with no cheers". The Daily Telegraph, April 15: 15.

Rules for residents

Residents were expected to be on their "best behaviour." Swearing, walking around naked, and hanging laundry to dry on balconies were not permitted.

East Circular Quay April 9 1999 daily telegraph 15

Source: Skelsey, M. 1999. "How to behave in a toaster". The Daily Telegraph, April 9: 15.

Upgrades to the footpath outside the buildings were undertaken to create the colonnade that we see today.

Next week, I will post the final entry in the series, focusing on the Opera Residences development, which involved converting the former Coca-Cola Amatil Building from an office complex into a residential tower.

Entries in this series

Monday, 21 October 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests continue (1998)

In my series on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay, I continue to focus on 1998. So far, I have looked at the completion of the Bennelong Apartments and last week shared clippings in which Sydney Opera House architect Jorn Utzon expressed his concerns over the redevelopment.

While one building was completed and others were still under construction, critics continued to lobby to halt the redevelopment and demolish the buildings.

Last week, I posted this clipping (below) and focused on Jorn Utzon delivering his message to opponents of the project that had gathered at a meeting in June 1998. Utzon did not attend in person but had sent a written message that was presented to the one thousand that gathered inside Sydney Town Hall.

Source: Totaro, P. "Utzon tells Opera House protestors: I'm a with you". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 21:2.

A month earlier, Utzon had told The Daily Telegraph that the land should be purchased and the redevelopment stopped.

While Lord Mayor Frank Sartor could not attend, he was happy to provide the town hall for free. The protest wanted one outcome - that the site be purchased by either the State or Federal Government and the buildings demolished.

Three months earlier, the Save East Circular Quay Committee resumed its fight to lobby the State Government to stop the redevelopment. In addition, it was seeking intervention at the Commonwealth level.

Source: Susskind, A. & Riley, M. 1998. "Quay building opponents ready to resume the fight". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 11: 5.

In the same month, another protest took place in the vicinity of the redevelopment, though it did not receive the coverage that protests in the previous year did.

East Circular Quay March 28 1998 daily telegraph 18

Source: Anon. 1998. "Plea for $1bn to teardown Quay project". The Daily Telegraph, March 28: 18.

Over 100,000 signatures were collected for a petition in opposition to the redevelopment. The campaign also involved over 400 prominent Australians and international personalities.

Source: Totaro, P. 1998. "Thousands join fight to save East Circular Quay". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 16: 8.

The Royal Australian Institute of Architects, which represented Architects, called for the Federal and State Governments, along with Sydney City Council, to meet to discuss the demolition of the buildings.

East Circular Quay May 23 1998 daily telegraph 7

Source: Skelsey, M. 1998. "Pull the plug: Architects demand toaster showdown". The Daily Telegraph, May 23: 7.

Protestors and critics' quest to seek Federal Government intervention failed, and the State Government indicated that it would not allocate any funding to purchase the site. The buildings would be finished and allowed to remain.

Source: Skelsey, M. & E. Symons. 1998. "No bread for the Toaster". The Daily Telegraph, June 11: page unknown.

Next week, I will look at completion of the redevelopment and in the following week, the conversion of the Coca Cola Amatil Building into a luxury apartment complex which would complete the redevelopment of East Circular Quay.

Entries in this Series

Monday, 14 October 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Jorn Utzon's perspective (1998)

I have returned from my August break from posting entries. Before the break, I continued a series on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay. I had begun to focus on 1998 and the completion of Bennelong Apartments, which had become known as "The Toaster."

This entry will also focus on 1998.

During the year, the Sydney Opera House celebrated its silver jubilee, opening 25 years earlier in 1973.

Jorn Utzon, the architect of the Opera House, had been made aware of the redevelopment. In June, he expressed his support for those opposing it. A message prepared by Utzon was presented at a rally of 1200 people in the Sydney Town Hall. Like the protestors, he wanted the buildings demolished.

Source: Totaro, P. "Utzon tells Opera House protestors: I'm a with you". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 21:2.

A month earlier, Utzon had told The Daily Telegraph that the land should be purchased and the redevelopment stopped.

Jorn Utzon comments on East Circular Quay April 20 1998 daily telegraph 7

Source: Anon. 1998. "Utzon wants Circular Quay building stopped". The Daily Telegraph, April 20: 7.

A month later, Utzon elaborated on those concerns—he wanted a better connection between the Royal Botanic Gardens and Circular Quay and to avoid blocking views of the Opera House.

Utzon East Circular Quay scheme May 22 1998 SMH 2

Source: Totaro, P. 1998. "Utzon: flats ruin Opera House site". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 22: 2.

East Circular Quay July 19 1998 Sun Herald 30-31 utzon enlarged

East Circular Quay July 19 1998 Sun Herald 30-31

Source: O'Rourke, J. 1998. "Utzon's plan for Toaster pops up". The Sun Herald, July 19: 31.

The Sun Herald (July 19, 1998) published an artist's impression drawn by Utzon in 1962, which was available in the Mitchell Library at the State Library of NSW. At the time, he advocated a "wall of buildings" at East Circular Quay.

Next week, I will focus on the protests from 1998.

Entries in this Series

Monday, 19 August 2024

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."

East Circular Quay June 20 1998 daily telegraph

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.

East Circular Quay november 26 1998 daily telegraph 22

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.

East Circular Quay May 20 1998 SMH 1 enlarged

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.

East Circular Quay August 15 1998 SMH 13

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

Monday, 12 August 2024

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.

East Circular Quay June 4 1997 SMH 1 enlarged

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

Monday, 5 August 2024

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.

East Circular Quay April 4 1997 SMH 3 enlarged

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.

East Circular Quay April 4 1997 SMH 3 enlarged 2

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

East Circular Quay March 20 1997 SMH 1 enlarged

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.

East Circular Quay July 5 1997 SMH 6 enlarged

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

East Circular Quay June 4 1997 SMH 1 enlarged 2

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.

East Circular Quay June 16 1997 AFR page unknown

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

Monday, 24 June 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)

East Circular Quay NIMBY ad May 28 1997 daily telegraph 17

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.

East Circular Quay January 22 1997 SMH 7

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.

East Circular Quay February 15 1997 SMH 1 enlarged

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.

East Circular Quay February 16 1997 Sun Herald 3

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.

East Circular Quay Protest Ad March 31 1997 SMH 3

Source: Save East Circular Quay. 1997. "Public Rally & Jazz Concert (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, March 31: 3.

East Circular Quay protests April 7 1997 SMH 1 enlarged

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.

East Circular Quay May 28 1997 SMH 3 (2)

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.

East Circular Quay September 22 1997 SMH 2

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.

East Circular Quay February 21 1997 SMH 3

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.

East Circular Quay February 15 1997 SMH 35 Architects

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.

Entries in this Series

Monday, 17 June 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)

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.

East Circular Quay May 2 1997 daily telegraph 9

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.

East Circular Quay january 15 1997 daily telegraph 11 enlarged

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.

Entries in this Series