Fab Sydney Flashbacks: David Brice

Showing posts with label David Brice. Show all posts

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