Fab Sydney Flashbacks: East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series)

Showing posts with label East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series). Show all posts

Monday, 4 November 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment: Opera Residences (2021)

Sydney CBD-2024-10-10 October-JPEG (176)

Above: Opera Residences as viewed from the Royal Botanic Gardens. Photo by the Author (2024).

This is the final entry in the series on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay. Last week's entry focused on the completion of the development of the four building Bennelong Apartments complex (Colonial Mutual Limited) and Quay Grand (Mirvac) in 1999.

With both developments complete, the southernmost building on the block, Coca-Cola Amatil Building (71 Macquarie Street), became the sole office building.

Coca Coca vacates 71 Macquarie Street

In 2010, Coca-Cola vacated the building at 71 Macquarie Street to relocate to North Sydney. They were the original tenants in the 15-level building, which was completed in 1966.

Following its departure, property owner AMP sought to redevelop the site into luxury apartments and partnered with Mirvac to redevelop the site.

A concept plan was placed on exhibition in 2012.

In 2014, a Development Application was lodged with the Central Sydney Planning Committee for a 19-level apartment building containing 109 apartments (later revised to 104 apartments).

Crone Architects, Tzannes and Make were the architects.

The building was demolished in 2017. Construction commenced in 2019 and was completed in 2021. The final construction costs were approximately $140 million.

Below are a few photos that I took of its demolition and construction

This was a photo of demolition in July 2017 taken from Circular Quay near Wharf 4. At this stage, the entire building was draped in scaffolding.

January 2020 - Construction at street level

November 2020

Nearing completion in March 2021

Final Remarks

I have reached the end of this series showcasing the redevelopment of East Circular Quay. It has encompassed more four decades, focusing on various plans to redevelop the site, whether on one site or the entire precinct, the role of planning authorities, Local, State, and even the Federal Government, the public backlash over its redevelopment in the 1990s, and its construction and completion.

I will leave it up to you to decide whether the redevelopment of East Circular Quay has been positive or negative.

Some positives of redeveloping East Circular Quay include:

Removal of the roadway
More space for pedestrians
Development of a retail and dining precinct
Provision of entertainment space - Cinema Complex
Development of a residential precinct in Central Sydney

Negatives include:

Views of Sydney Opera House from Circular Quay are obscured
High cost of apartments - Unaffordable to most Sydneysiders
Views to the Royal Botanic Gardens are blocked - lost opportunity to open the views.
Height, bulk and design of the buildings
Disrespects the location - close to the Sydney Opera House

The end

Entries in this series

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, 15 April 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)

East Circular Quay visions Ad January 6 1992 daily telegraph 12

Source: Sydney City Council. 1992. "East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest'" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, January 6: 12.

A fortnight ago, I posted Colonial Mutual Limited's (CML) proposal to build a $700 million commercial development at East Circular Quay in 1991. Sydney City Council rejected the proposal because it did not comply with the site's planning guidelines.

This led to Sydney City Council reviewing the site's planning guidelines. In January 1992, it invited the public to submit ideas on how the site should be developed. Architect Ken Woolley assessed the submissions.

In March 1992, the submissions were placed on public exhibition.

East Circular Quay Vision Ad February 29 1992 daily telegraph 23

Source: Sydney City Council. 1992. "Exhibition of the East Circular Quay Ideas Quest". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, February 29: 23.

Below is a feature article from The Daily Telegraph Mirror featuring some of the submissions.

East Circular Quay March 4 1992 daily telegraph

Source: Bye, C. 1992. "Quay shapes up for the future". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, March 4: page unknown.

Following the exhibition, new guidelines were drawn by the panel led by Ken Woolley. For the site owned by Colonial Mutual Limited (CML), a maximum height limit of 42.5 metres was set, which was lower than four of the buildings that either occupied the site or had been demolished. South of Moore Steps, future development would be capped at a maximum of 65 metres.

East Circular Quay June 10 1992 SMH 4 enlarged 2

East Circular Quay June 10 1992 SMH 4 enlarged

Source: O'Brien, G. 1992. "No great heights at Quay site". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 10: 4.

The guidelines also recommended:

Provision of a cultural facility
Utilise part of the existing roadway for pedestrian use
Ground and lower floors to accommodate restaurants, retail, entertainment and tourist facilites.
Possible use of land under Macquarie Street for public use.

The National Institute of Architects objected to the new guidelines.

Source: Anon. 1992. "Architects call for new Quay design". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 11: 8.

As I will be away during the school holiday period, I will have two Remember This? entries for the next two Mondays and will resume this series on May 6.

Entries in this series

Monday, 8 April 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The Revolving Office Tower Scheme (1991)

East Circular Quay November 30 1991 Weekend Australian

Source: Cameron, F. 1991. "Revolving idea attracts foreign interest". The Weekend Australian, November 30: page unknown.

Last week, I posted Colonial Mutual Limited (CML) 's 1991 proposal for the Bennelong Centre at East Circular Quay, which Sydney City Council rejected.

Towards the end of 1991, Hassell Architects unveiled a proposal to construct the first revolving office tower in the world on the site. While the proposal attracted global interest, CML was not interested. Three years earlier, CML had secretly rejected the scheme.

East Circular Quay November 26 1991 daily telegraph 1-2 (1)

East Circular Quay November 26 1991 daily telegraph 1-2 (2)

Source: McDougall, B. 1991. "A new tower to turn heads". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, November 26: 1-2.

Hassell Architects was no longer bound by the agreement and could make it public. They wanted Australia to have the first tower of its type built in the world.

The rotating tower would rise thirty-six stories and turn 180 degrees each day, tracking the sun. Tenants would have harbour views every second day. It was designed in the shape of a leaf, and the circular core of the building would remain stationary.

Given CML's lack of interest, this proposal didn't go far.

It also attracted criticism from planning experts and environmentalists.

East Circular Quay Tower November 27 1991 daily telegraph 9

Source: Scott, S. & Bisset, K. 1991. "Turning tower in trouble". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, November 27: 9.

Entries in this series

Monday, 1 April 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's Bennelong Centre (1991)

East Circular Quay July 26 1991 SMH 1 enlarged 3

From: O'Brien, G & Chancellor, J. 1991. "Too high, too wide, too big: Quay tower rejected". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 26: 1.

With Easter now over, I resume our series on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay.

Three weeks ago, I mentioned how Colonial Mutual Limited (CML) had spent $250 million in 1988 and 1989 to purchase four adjoining properties or sites to add to their existing ownership of Bennelong House. This opened up opportunities to redevelop the block. In 1990, plans for an office complex known as the Bennelong Centre were leaked to the public, sparking opposition.

East Circular Quay June 27 1991 daily telegraph 1 and 4 (1) enlarged 2

East Circular Quay June 27 1991 daily telegraph 1 and 4 (1) enlarged

East Circular Quay June 27 1991 daily telegraph 1 and 4 (2)

Source: Hawes, R. 1991."'Ugly' Quay gets new look". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, June 27: 1 & 4.

In June 1991, a more conservative scheme known as the Bennelong Centre was unveiled. It complied with Sydney City Council's planning guidelines, restricting the height to seventeen storeys. The estimated cost of redevelopment was $700 million. However, it would exceed the height limits and width dimensions by three metres. Council also recommended a maximum of 46 000 sq/m of floorspace, but CML proposed 56 000 sq/m of floorspace.

Apart from office space, three levels of retail space were provided, with an open colonnade and a concealed bus interchange underneath Macquarie Street to replace the existing street-level terminus. The creation of the Colonnade and building onto the Macquarie Street footpath enabled the extra 10,000 sq/m of space, which was needed to make the development economically viable.

Graham Rogers, Director and General Manager of CML, presented their case for the development based on the argument that it complied with guidelines.

Source: Rogers, G. 1991. "Quay proposal 'follows guidelines'". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 23: 25.

And opinion was stacked against it.

East Circular Quay June 29 1991 Weekend Australian 45

Source: Briggs, L. 1991. "Cool response to $300m Quay plan". The Weekend Australian, June 29: 1 (Property Review Section).

NSW Opposition Leader Bob Carr called for a public inquiry into the site's development and considered a possible land swap for other government-owned land west of the Sydney CBD.

East Circular Quay July 24 1991 daily telegraph 8

Source: Romei, S. 1991. "Carr calls for Quay inquiry". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, July 24: 10.

The majority of Aldermen at Sydney City Council also expressed their opposition.

East Circular Quay July 21 1991 sun herald 15

Source: Catalano, A. 1991. "Helen leads Quay fight". The Sun Herald, July 21:15.

The Sydney Morning Herald approached nine architects to share their insights.

Source: Chancellor, J. & Nixon, A. 1991. "Opinion is stacked against the Bennelong Centre". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 15: 26.

The Central Sydney Planning Committee rejected the proposal on July 25 1991, as it did not comply with planning guidelines, given it had exceeded its height, width and bulk. This would lead to CML withdrawing their development application within a fortnight of its rejection.

Source: O'Brien, G. & Chancellor, J. 1991. "Too high, too wide, too big: Quay tower rejected". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 26: 1.

The series continues next week.

Entries in this series

Monday, 11 March 2024

East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's 1990 Scheme

In part six of our series, focusing on the redevelopment of East Circular Quay, I am going to focus on 1989 and 1990 as Colonial Mutual Life (CML) undertook further acquisitions of buildings and sites on the block and proposed their plans to redevelop the site.

Last week, I posted this article from The Sydney Morning Herald from 1988 because it focused on why Unilever House was demolished. The article focused on CML acquiring Lend Lease House for $57 million, which adjoined Bennelong House, which it already owned.

Source: Sing, T. & Chancellor, J. 1988. "Space bonus for Quay block". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 7: 34.

In February 1989, it was reported in The Sydney Morning Herald that CML had purchased another three sites - Hope House, 35-37 Macquarie Street and Unilever Hotel Site. All purchases were undertaken separately and had cost CML $250 million.

Source: Chancellor, J. 1989. "The best block of land in the country cost only $250m". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 10: 1.

Therefore, the purchases would extinguish the hotel that was to replace Unilever House and the Jedobo development next door.

CML presented their plans to redevelop the now combined site that same year to Sydney City Council, though it would be the following year before the first plans were made public.

Source: Chancellor, J. 1990. "Controversial plan for Circular Quay East like a 'wingless 747'". The Sydney Morning Herald, October 24: 8.

The plans were leaked to the public and were "likened to a wingless 747 about to hit the Opera House". The architect was Dino Burattini, the architect behind Melbourne's Rialto Towers and the State Bank Building (52 Martin Place) in Martin Place. The building would rise up to 30 storeys tall.

While that plan didn't get off the ground, CML Would unveil a more realistic scheme the following year, which will be the focus of the next entry in the series. However, next week, with the Royal Easter Show due to commence, I will spend two weeks looking at the 1999 Royal Easter Show as I turn back the clock a quarter of a century.

Entries in this series