NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Chinatown Railway Station (1990)

In 1990, a developer offered to build a railway station in Haymarket at the corner of George and Campbell Streets as part of a proposed office tower. The site was 720 George Street, which was redeveloped a decade ago into a residential tower.

There were plans to connect the railway station into the redeveloped Capitol Theatre.

However the station would only serve the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Railway Lines as the tunnels ran directly underneath the site.

Like the proposed railway station at World Square one block away (1989), it joined the list of "Never Builts".

Source: Morris, L. 1990. "Chinatown station plan". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, November 29: 4. 

The station would have improved accessibility to Paddys Markets, Chinatown and the Sydney Entertainment Centre for visitors and tourists, and have taken pressure off Town Hall Station for Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line commuters. However, other lines were not to be served by the station. Also, it appears to be located halfway between Central and Town Hall railway stations.

One fault in the proposal is the curve of the station, which would hamper accessibility but also pose safety concerns.

EVOLUTION OF WORLD SQUARE: The original World Square Scheme (1973)

I had always thought the Kenzo Tange's 1985 design for World Square was the original scheme for World Square.

Photo by the Author.

But the first World Square Scheme dates back to 1973, when Stocks and Holdings proposed a $150 million scheme for the site of Anthony Horderns and surrounding buildings on the block bounded by George, Liverpool, Pitt and Castlereagh Streets.

Source: Anonymous. 1973. "Huge Block Plans". The Sun Herald, March 25: 9.

At the time, it was the biggest ever proposal for a single block in Sydney. The podium would have included a retail complex, dining spaces along with theatres and clubs along with a possible hotel. The credit crisis was to follow and it would claim Stocks and Holdings. 

MILESTONE: Roselands Turns 50 - The Future

Roselands may have had its place in the hearts of Sydneysiders over the years. In order for shopping centre to survive and remain competitive, they have to respond to changing consumer trends and tastes. This has meant expanding centres to provide more retailers and services. Since 1965, there has only been one major expansion - in 1981 and an upgrade of the centre in 2000 to accommodate a modern food court (Raindrop Food Court).

However, they have faced planning hurdles, particularly with Canterbury Council. I remember in the early 2000s of a plan to construct a Hoyts cinema complex. This fell through. Another attempt for expansion a few years back was proposed. What happened to it? I don't know.

I have believed that some of the hurdles based with planning authorities combined with management practices of owners have meant that they have not able to be the benchmark for shopping centres in Sydney. It could have easily been our answer to Chadstone in Melbourne, which has been the benchmark for Melbourne shopping centres for more than five decades. Roselands has let its competition pace ahead and even centres built in more recent times would be well ahead.

A change of management has given Roselands the chance to keep up with the times. Federation Centres currently manage the complex. Earlier this year, they unveiled plans for a major upgrade and expansion of the centre to include an expanded retail offering. Myer (originally Grace Bros) will also reduce its footprint from three levels to two, with the lower floor to accommodate new retailers. The cinemas would be built above Myer.

The expansion will also see the introduction of another major discount department store (BigW), Woolworths Supermarket and Kmart store. The expansion will cover the southern parts of the site, where open-air carparks occupy space (on a normal day, they are empty). It will mean that Roselands Drive will be realigned along with Martin Street to cater for expansion


Source: Federation Centres. 2015. "Untitled" (Floorplans). Accessed October 15, 2015. http://www.roselands.com.au/development/our-plans/

I hope it goes a fair way to bringing back the 'mojo' that Roselands once bought to Sydney, but that opportunity to remain or even regain the place of Sydney's shopping jewel is all but gone.