NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Office Tower proposal for 171 Gloucester Street (1989)

In 1989, EIE International Corporation was shortlisted as one of five developers by the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority to develop a site at The Rocks bounded by Essex Treet, Gloucester Street, Grosvenor Street and Cumberland Place.

Their plans envisaged a 24-storey office tower with 40 000sq/m of office space. stepping down from the Essex Street end to Grosvenor Street, presumably to protect sun access into Lang Park. 

 

Source: Dixon, A. 1989. "Mystery Rocks site developer revealed". The Sydney Morning Herald, October 24: 29. 

At one point, there were plans to build a hotel, but the success of the Cove Apartments opposite the site highlighted its potential for residential development on the site.

It was reported in The Australian Financial Review on June 17 2004, that the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority had sold the site to Stamford Land Corporation of Singapore for as much as $25 million

The site eventually became the Stamford Residences, a 30-storey (88 metre) apartment tower containing 122 apartments. Plans were submitted in 2005 and were approved in May 2006. Construction commenced in 2009 and was completed in 2011. 

Source: Harley, R. 1989. "EIE in running for project at The Rocks". The Australian Financial Review, October 24: page unknown. 

1989: Museum of Contemporary Art Plans Unveiled

This year is 30 years since the Museum of Contemporary Art opened its doors to Sydney art lovers. It was interesting to find articles relating to the announcement that Sydney was to get one.

The NSW State Government had vacated the Maritime Services Board (MSB) Building at West Circular Quay. In 1989 it leased the building to Sydney University for just $10 a week, allowing the museum to be created.

Source: Clifton, B. 1989. "Modern Art's Harbor Home". The Daily Mirror, March 22: 39.

Source: Grimshaw, P. 1989. "$100m gift for art". The Daily Telegraph, March 17: 9. 

This fulfilled the vision of former NSW Premier Neville Wran who announced in 1984 that a Museum of Contemporary Art would occupy the building.

Source: Anon. 1984. "Art gallery for Quay". The Daily Telegraph, November 24: 20. 

Through the creation of the Powerhouse Museum, it enabled the university to display the collection of Dr. John Power who bequeathed the university with his collection including artworks.

In 2001, the NSW Government became the main stakeholder for the museum. In 2012, a new five storey wing was completed that increased the size of the museum by 50%. 

1979: The Sirius is opened

The photo was taken by the Author (2015)

Last week, the NSW Government lost a court case against the NSW Heritage Council's council to proceed with the decision to list the Sirius Building on the State Heritage Register. This has set back plans by Housing NSW to sell the site to a building developer and allow for a private housing development to rise on the site.

Source: Berryman, M. 1977. Vast Rocks Unit Complex Will Change Skyline. The Sun Herald, September 4: 19. 

In 1977, there was some excitement when the plans for the building were unveiled. It was to be the first residential apartment complex to be built by The Rocks Redevelopment Authority which had been established in 1970. The complex was designed by Architect Theo (Tao) Gofers. An early scheme (below) included a second building, which was to be commercial.

Some might say its disjointed but it was for a reason - to reflect the disjointed skyline. It would form the shape of a Pyramid. In addition, it was to minimise the impact of the complex on the skyline itself. In addition, it was to follow the layout of the area.

The apartments were designed primarily for the aged and families. For instance, access to apartments in the Sirius was via lifts and no stairs could be found at the entrance. The first residents moved into apartments in 1979.

In addition, there was a community hall, library and a rooftop garden available to residents, except the garden was never really made available.

As of May, two residents remained in the complex, the NSW Heritage Council has recommended that it be listed on the NSW Heritage Register for its brutalist architecture, but also was a project that proceeded despite initial Green Bans on the site.

However, the NSW Government has opposed it and allowing its demolition would allow for the site to be sold for a higher price, and allowing greater scope for redevelopment. If Sirius was allowed only to be converted into a private housing complex, potential revenue from its sale would be lower.

The Sirius gave those from the working class and the disadvantaged an opportunity to share in the spoils that living around Sydney Harbour had to offer. The views themselves are worth millions. This era is set to come to an end, irrespective of whether or not the Sirius is allowed to remain.

Property Advert of the Week: Harrington Grande (1998) - NEVER BUILT

This week, we head to Harrington Street in the Sydney CBD where apartments in the Harrington Grande tower were on sale in 1998. One problem though, it never went ahead and was replaced with the Harry Seidler designed Cove Apartments in 2003 (Approved by Sydney City Council in 2000).

The developer is not mentioned unless they were trying to find a developer to purchase the development application.

Quite a rare find.

 

Source: Anon. 1998. "The Harrington Grande" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2: 23RE (Real Estate Liftout).