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

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. 

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.

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. 

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

1. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The first apartment block proposal (1979)
2. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme (1984)
3. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1986)
4. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme Revisited (1986)
5. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1987)
6. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's 1990 Scheme
7. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's Bennelong Centre (1991)
8. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The Revolving Office Tower Scheme (1991)

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

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. 

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.

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

Entries in this series

1. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The first apartment block proposal (1979)
2. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme (1984)
3. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1986)
4. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Opera Garden Centre Scheme Revisited (1986)
5. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unilever House Hotel Conversion (1987)
6. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's 1990 Scheme
7. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): CML's Bennelong Centre (1991)

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Triple-Bridge Plan to Span Harbour (1922)

Source: Item 15: Cuttings Mainly regarding Suggestions for a Second Harbour Bridge in Sydney, 1922, 1922. Accessed July 28, 2023, https://digital.sl.nsw.gov.au/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?embedded=true&toolbar=false&dps_pid=IE6258874&_ga=2.23513913.2006621465.1690502948-563559362.1682639266&_gl=1*1f7f6uc*_ga*NTYzNTU5MzYyLjE2ODI2MzkyNjY.*_ga_CYHFMM592Q*MTY5MDUxMzU1NS42LjEuMTY5MDUxMzg2OC41NC4wLjA. 

In 1922, engineer Ernest Stowe proposed a three-way bridge to cross Sydney Harbour as "cheap" solution to building a harbour crossing. The three bridges would have linked the Sydney CBD with the North Shore and Balmain. It was envisioned that the bridges converge in a central tower on Goat Island. It was floated as a proposal alongside what became the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The proposal was floated in 1959 as a second harbour crossing by a Longueville resident who suggested that the bridge design be based on the Gladesville Bridge, which was proposed at the time. Below is an article from The Sydney Morning Herald in 1959.

 

Source: Anon. 1959. "Triple-Bridge Plan to Span Harbour". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 14: 9.

In 1981, a scaled-down proposal was proposed. The bridge scheme was one of several schemes which included tunnels under Sydney Harbour running predominantly through the eastern half of the Balmain Peninsula.

 

Source: Malley, J. "Under or over the Harbour: a choice". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 7: 1. 

Locals on both sides of the harbour mobilised, citing concerns over the loss of homes and safety risks associated with tunnels. This eventually led to the proposal being dropped, which ultimately led to the construction of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

 

Source: Glasscott, J. 1982. "Balmain mobilised against the second crossing". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 30: 1.

Four decades later, the Western Harbour Tunnel fulfils the vision to allow those driving from the west to cross Sydney Harbour without driving through the Sydney CBD and need not use the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Instead of heading in a northerly or northwest direction as envisioned by Stowe in 1922, the tunnel will send motorists in a north-easterly direction under Balmain and Birchgrove to Sydney Harbour, underneath the harbour and under Balls Head and North Sydney before connecting with the Warringah Expressway. 

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Redeveloping the City Markets Precinct (1968)

Source: Gambie, G. 1968. "Who'll get the 14 golden acres?". The Sun Herald, September 8: 37 & 42. 

This is the last of my first set of entries in the Visions of Sydney series. In 1968, The Sun Herald asked Frank Fox & Associates to prepare a possible vision for the future of the City Markets site at Haymarket, which was relocated to Flemington. This was in response to State Government Proposals for an educational precinct to be created in the area, which was being opposed by the Civic Reform Association.

The fourteen acre area encompassed the current site of Paddys Markets, Darling Square (former site of the Sydney Entertainment Centre), Chinatown and areas encompassing Ultimo Road, Quay and Thomas Street's down to Railway Square.

The Civic Reform development plan encompassed the following:

• Highrise apartment towers and carparks to be built alongside the Western Distributor (planned at the time to go through Glebe and the route is shown at the top right of image). The estimated population living in the area would be 10 000 people.
• Opening up part of George Street to improve pedestrian access.
• Retention of Paddys Markets.

Was this vision fufilled?

Not everything in a concept plan or vision will be fufilled. As the development at Barangaroo shows, it can be changed easily to accomadate changing needs or uses, which means there is a shift away from original plans or intentions.

The NSW State Government proceeded with its plans to develop an education precinct, which has evolved into the University of Technology, Sydney (attaining university status in 1988). Buildings encompassing the university have been built as far as Quay Street (Where the library is based). 44 000 students are currently enrolled. 

Paddy's Markets still trades at Haymarket, and is a "must-do" for visitors to Sydney. 

The High Density Flats would not appear until mid 2010's, after the closure of the Sydney Entertainment Centre (1983-2015) and the decision to incorporate it into a redeveloped Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre Complex. The precinct is known as Darling Quarter.

Above: Darling Quarter fufilled a 1960's vision to turn Haymarket into a residential precinct. Photo taken by the Author (2021). 

One element not completed was the improved pedestrian access to George Street, though the underpass under Railway Square and the conversion of the former goods line into a walkway could be regarded as fufilling at least part of the vision.

The residential population of Haymarket according to the 2021 Census was approximately 8500., just short of the estimated 10 000.

As for the idea of the area becoming a centre of entertainment. Except for the Sydney Entertainment Centre (1983-2015), little was provided in terms of entertainment for Sydneysiders and visitors. Her Majestys Theatre was eventually demolished for an apartment block in the 2000's.

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Sydney CBD Road Tunnels (1990)

Source: Anon. 1990. "Tunnel solution to city traffic jams". The Daily Mirror, October 5: 17. 

This is the second entry in our first Visions of Sydney series. In 1990, Deputy Lord Mayor Ross Bonthorne, proposed a network of underground road tunnels running through the Sydney CBD to address traffic congestion at street level.

The network proposed four tunnels. Motorists could use the tunnels to access carparks or delivery zones.

One tunnel would run under Park Street. This became reality through the Cross City Tunnel, completed in 2005. However the Cross City Tunnel was a designated motorway to provide a bypass underneath the Sydney CBD to connect the eastern and western suburbs of the city.

The second tunnel would run underneath Goulburn Street to serve the southern CBD.

The third road tunnel was to run east-west near Martin Place and would connect with the Cahill Expressway. Three possible routes were proposed.

The fourth tunnel running underneath Pitt Street would connect the three east-west tunnels. 

Next week, we will continue with the next entry in the series. 

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Hyde Park United (1989)

I am introducing a new series of posts that will be themed Visions of Sydney which I will post from time to time.

The Never Built series has focused on major building developments that were either proposed to be built or were approved by planning authorities but still was not built.

Visions of Sydney posts will focus on what our planners had in mind for our city, whether it involved widespread redevelopment within the Sydney CBD and surrounds or new developments in our suburbs. 

This will include transport or civic projects that were planned for Sydney, but either remained a drawing on a sketchboard or a line on a map.

And this will include with individual architects or planners had in mind as their "answer" to improving our city e.g. My 2020 posting on Harry Seidler's 1957 proposed residential scheme for McMahons Point would satisfy this as Seidler had a vision for the future of McMahons Point.

The first entry in this series of entries was a proposal to rejoin Hyde Park which has been split in two by Park Street in 1989.

The rejoining of the park was to be made possible through the construction of the Cross City Tunnel (not completed until 2005) along with a supplementary tunnel for local CBD traffic.

It was envisioned that Hyde Park would according to Lord Mayor Jeremy Bingham would be "one of the most beautiful urban parklands in the world" but would also provide "a sweeping vista of lawns and gardens".

This was a lost opportunity for Sydney when the Cross City Tunnel eventuated to keep traffic out of central Sydney.

Finally it does mention of the proposed Civic Square for the site of Woolworths and adjoining buildings opposite the Sydney Town Hall which is still on the council's "to-do" list. 

Source: Turner, 1989. "Sweeping Park Vista in Skyline. The Daily Mirror, December 1: 27.

1998: Sydney CBD-Parramatta Fast Train Proposal

In 1998, Lend Lease proposed to build a fast train line that would have enabled commuters to travel from the Sydney CBD to Parramatta in only 12 minutes. This would be nearly 50 % faster than the proposed Western Sydney metro connecting the two centres or would shave at least fifteen minutes off a standard rail trip. It also proposed that the line would also go through to Penrith. For those commuting from Penrith to Sydney, travel time would be reduced by two thirds to just 22 minutes. 

In addition, it was planned that either a light rail line or monorail line would link Parramatta with Castle Hill in just ten minutes.

 

Source: Humphries, D. & Doherty, L. "City to Parramatta in 10 minutes: transport for a fast track future". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 5: 4. 

While it did not eventuate, the issue of fast rail has lasted through to the present day. Note that there is a possible option of connecting the Western Sydney Airport with Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. It is not off the table altogether.

1961: Harry Seidler calls for demolition of the QVB

One of the most popular entries on this blog since its inception has been my entry on the 1959 proposal by Sydney City Council to demolish the Queen Victoria Building and replace it with a public square and underground carpark. 

I mentioned in that entry that one supporter of its demolition was architect Harry Seidler and made reference to the 1970's when he called for a carpark to replace the building.

In that search for information on Harry Seidler and his advocacy for demolition, I had come across photos on the internet of a scanned newspaper article which in inital searches was undated - "Tear down this city horror". However one photograph taken of a pasted article from one of his scrap books had "Mirror 26/9/61" which was enough for me to locate the article which was featured in the September 26, 1961 edition of The Daily Mirror.

Below is a Microfische copy of the article.

What was Seidler's position?

Seidler told The Daily Mirror that the building was "an architectural monstrousity, a wasteful stuipd building". At the time, the building housed the Sydney County Council and construction had been halted on the building of its new offices at the corner of George and Bathurst Streets (not completed until 1968). He argued that there was a "desparate need" for a Civic Square and underground carpark in central Sydney.

Seidler had his supporters including Professor Denis Winston, Professor of Town and Country Planning at Sydney University who stated that "the time to act is now" along with Cr. W. Doherty, Chairman of the Sydney County Council. 

How did Sydney City Council respond to the article?

Source: Anon. 1961. "Only a bomb will shift it". The Daily Mirror, September 27: 7. 

The following day (September 27), Lord Mayor Harry Jensen, told The Daily Mirror that "insurmountable obstacles" had stopped the building from being demolished. The civic square could only be built if the Sydney County Council vacated the building. Construction had been halted on its purpose built headquarters at the corner of George and Bathurst Streets due to construction costs. The building was not completed until 1968. 

Jensen believed that any Civic Square on the site of the QVB would be determined by future councils and not him.

Finally note this statement at the introduction to the article: 

"...todays teenagers will probably be old men and women before they see the last of the building's clutter of columns, cornices and cuploas." 

In 2021, the teenagers referred to in 1961 are now senior citizens. The QVB is here to stay following its restoration into a retail complex during the 1980's. This was opened in 1986 and 2021 is 35 years of retail trading at the QVB. 

And the headline "Only a bomb will shift it" is true in itself. 

1989: Urban Development around Badgerys Creek Airport

Source: Morris, L. 1990. "Oran Park to go for new city". The Daily Telegraph, September 2: page unknown.

Trawling through my clippings, I came across an article from September 1989 published in The Daily Telegraph. 

The State Government was planning a "mini-city", the size of Canberra to be built in a corridor incorporating the proposed Badgerys Creek Airport. This was seen as a response to the land shortage gripping Sydney (like today). 

Oran Park Raceway would be closed with housing to replace the former race track.  This occurred in 2010 and housing has since appeared.

With construction of the new airport underway three decades later, planning still continues. The focus has shifted towards commercial and industrial development to create a Western Sydney Aerotropolis. The long term goal is to create 200 000 jobs within the precinct which will follow the 1989 corridor. That is nearly two thirds of the number that commute into Central Sydney each day to work.

In 1989, they were unlikely to have considered high rise residential development, whereas three decades later it is being seriously considered.

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NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Harry Seidler feature on his McMahons Point redevelopment scheme (1957)

In the 1950's, architect Harry Seidler was asked by a group of locals at McMahons Point to design a residential scheme for the area. This was in response to plans by the Cumberland County Council to zone the area for industrial use.

Below is an article that Seidler wrote in 1957 for The Sydney Morning Herald where he explains his vision for McMahons Point.

Source: Seidler, H. 1957. "Experts Plan Lay-Out for McMahon's Point". The Sydney Morning Herald,  September 10: 10.

Seidler kept his scheme simple. He wanted four types of buildings. While the scheme would have led to more highrises had it become reality, the towers would not appear as clustered as many multi building developments in Sydney are today.

He believed that while there would be taller buildings, there would be more parkland and public space at street level. The layout of buildings across the suburb reflected the desire that apartments would have maximium access to views of Sydney Harbour.

This resulted in the construction of Blues Point Tower (1961), but was built as a residential tower. The original scheme called for an international hotel. It also influenced the construction of apartment buildings in the suburb during the 1960's but did not reflect the broader scheme that Seidler envisioned.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: East Circular Quay Redevelopment Scheme (1990)

Below is an article from The Sydney Morning Herald dated from 1990 featuring a design by a group of Architecture students from the University of New South Wales for the redevelopment of East Circular Quay.

This, along with other designs were displayed at the University of New South Wales and were not part of the formal design process that the developers (Colonial Mutual Life) had for the site.

The redevelopment of the site of the 1990's caused controversy, particularly the height of buildings, impact on the Botanic Gardens and the blocking of the view towards the Sydney Opera House from the Cahill Expressway.

What do you think of this scheme?

Source: O'Brien, B. 1990. "Unlocking a golden quay to the future". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 16: 6.

1998: The first plan for a North West Sydney rail line

Enlarged from the following source: Bissett, K. "$5bn transport link to the future".  The Daily Telegraph, November 24: 4.

The Berejiklian Government has delivered the Metro North West Rail Line to the people of Sydney and has quickly been embraced by the people of Sydney and also has given the people of the booming North West its own rail line.

This week, I look back at when the first proposal for a rail line to serve the North West was mooted.

It was in 1998 when Labor was in power, led by Bob "the builder" Carr and Carl Scully was Transport Minister.

In November of that year, Action for Transport 2010 was released, providing a decade long plan for the delivery of transport infrastructure across Sydney covering all modes of transport.

With rail, the ambitious plan included a rail line running from Chatswood to Parramatta (via Epping), another line running from Hurstville to Strathfield, extension of the Eastern Suburbs line to Bondi Beach, a Y link at Casula and upgrades to the intercity lines running between Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

There were also plans for a branch line to run from Epping to Castle Hill with new stations at Castle Hill and West Pennant Hills. Completion was anticipated for 2010. Question to ask - Would trains run via the northern line or would they proceed to Chatswood and then the city (like how the Sydney Metro will evolve into).

That would make the delivery of heavy rail to Castle Hill a decade late under the 1998 plan!!!

Source: Bissett, K. "$5bn transport link to the future".  The Daily Telegraph, November 24: 4.

SERIES: The Evolution of the Citigroup Centre - What if...?

For two months, we have explored the evolution of 2 Park Street from its former life as a Waltons Department store into a major city building and retail complex.

But I have not answered a question that I put forward when looking at never built visions and concepts?

What would have happened had the proposal became reality? How would this have impacted the city?

1982 Scheme

• The office space would have required a refit in the past decade to compete with existing city towers. 
• With Waltons sold in 1987 and rebranded as Venture, the new owners may have scaled back the city store.
• Any replacement Department store would not be trading in 2018.
• The retail complex would have required redevelopment to reflect changing consumer retail trends. With the inability to attract a department store, mini-majors would be the anchors in the centre today, like what is there today.
• Owners would in recent years have explored the option of a second building e.g. hotel or adding extra commercial levels above the existing podium. 

Park Tower (1986)

• Similar outcomes with the retail complex as featured in the 1982 scheme, though the public garden would be popular with city workers. I could foresee under this scheme, possibly rooftop cafes, bars and restaurants eventually occupying the space today. 
• Would be a fairly reputable complex for major firms. 
• Architecturally, it would appear "dated" against other city towers. 

Skytower/Park Plaza (1987)

This scheme was never going to be approved under planning guidelines. However, I'll suggest possible impacts that the tower would have had on Sydney. 

• International recognition for the tower due to its height. It would be associated with Sydney architecture with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Tower. 
• Would be the tallest skyscraper in Australia for the foreseeable future.
• Change to flight paths for Sydney Airport. 
• Similar outcomes to previous schemes with the retail complex - upgrades required and subdivision of the department store space into mini-majors. 
• The tower would have most likely been completed during the recession of the early 1990s and this would have created a situation where large portions of the tower would have been without tenants. A tower of this size would have contributed to increases in office vacancy rates. 
• Large sections of Hyde Park South would be subject to overshadowing.
• An observation deck would have been provided given it would be around 150 metres higher than Sydney Tower.

Park Plaza (1988)

The scheme was not going to be approved. However, Ill suggest possible impacts that the tower would have had on Sydney.

Like other proposals, there would have been the need to reconfigure the retail space to accommodate changes in retailing. Like the Skytower proposal of 1987, filling the office space was going to be challenging, though not to the extent with Skytower with 22 fewer levels of office space. It may not have had the international acclaim that Skytower could have but would still be one of the most prominent buildings in Sydney and with national recognition.

Park Plaza IV (1988)

Architecturally, it may appear out of date today but given that it was 54 levels, it would have been half the struggle as with Skytower to attract tenants during the 1990's recession. As with all schemes, an upgrade or redevelopment of the retail space would have been required by now.

Park Tower

 

Leasing of office space would have been an initial challenge, but architecturally would have looked contemporary and imposing on the city skyline, especially around Town Hall which was in need of a real landmark tower. I look at Melbourne Central (Melbourne) and nearly three decades after completion, still maintains a contemporary look on the Melbourne skyline. The retail complex would be similar to Melbourne Central with a variety of retailers, even though it would have around 50 % less. Its appeal would probably be bigger than the Galeries that we see today.

Park Tower II (1994)

Given the similarities in the shape and form to the site today, it would have evolved in a similar fashion to the Citigroup Centre today, though the retail complex would have more than likely resembled a typical shopping centre.

This entry concludes our series on the evolution of the Citigroup Centre at 2 Park Street. I hope you have enjoyed exploring the various schemes in the 1980s and 1990s to redevelop the site of the Waltons Department Store and the dramas associated with just placing a building on the site including the infamous hole in the ground which lasted for a decade.

Previous Entries in the Series

• Original 1982 Scheme
• Park Tower (1986)
• Skytower (1987)
• Park Plaza (1988)
• Park Plaza IV (1988)
• Park Tower (1990)
• Park Tower II (1994)
• Citigroup Centre (2000)
• Citigroup Tower & Galeries Victoria in 2018

1990: NSW Government Proposal for outer Sydney rail line

With plans to extend the Leppington Rail Line to connect the new airport at Badgerys Creek to the existing rail network and possible extension through to St Marys, I came across an article from 1990 when the Greiner Government explored an option that is quite similar to the current plans.

It would run from St Marys to Campbelltown via Badgerys Creek.

Source: James, B. 1990. "Growth Suburbs Rail Link". The Daily Mirror, January 2: 7.

The current plans however would not see it extended through to Campbelltown, but rather to Narellan which is currently not served by rail.



Source: Transport Sydney. 2017. "Untitled" (Map). Transport Sydney,  https://transportsydney.wordpress.com/tag/south-west-rail-link/ (Accessed September 3, 2018).

As for a real connection to Campbelltown, while not explored, a Y link could be built at Glenfield to allow for direct services from Campbelltown.

The Labor Party however would look at a through link to Campbelltown (perhaps via Narellan?). This would also connect to the soon to be completed Sydney Metro Line from Rouse Hill to Chatswood.




Source: The Daily Telegraph. 2017. Untitled (map). The Daily Telegraph, https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/opposition-leaders-pledge-to-build-rail-links-connecting-sydney-suburbs-with-badgerys-creek-airport/news-story/19ec0773988f7fc9e02eac0fa7b11bba (Accessed September 3, 2018).

1982: The changing face of Circular Quay

Only two decades after the completion of the AMP Building and the first wave of development around Circular Quay, the area was to undergo a significant change as this feature report published in The Sydney Morning Herald in July 1982 shows.

Altmann, C. 1982. "Untitled" (Artists Impression). The Sydney Morning Herald, July 3: 1. 

From left to right, what was the outcome?

• The proposed building at East Circular Quay - The site remained vacant throughout the decade and into the 1990s as owners sought to redevelop the precinct. It became part of the Bennelong Apartments completed in 1998.
• Approved Unit Block - Completed in 1984 as the Quay Apartments at 27 stories/94 metres tall.
• Proposed Commercial Development (Gateway Site). Concerns about the blocking of vistas as the render shows, led to a taller, slimmer tower (Gateway Tower). Gateway Tower was built as a 46 level/164 metre tower in 1989.  
• Regent Hotel (Completed that year)
• Grosvenor Place ("Proposed office tower" completed in 1988). 
• The Proposed Apartment tower opposite Grosvenor Place (far right) was the Quay West Apartments, which is part hotel, part apartment complex. It was completed in 1991. 

The construction of the above developments would not be completed for a decade (or at East Circular Quay, a decade and a half). This wave of development would shape Circular Quay for over a generation. 

The demolition of Goldfields House (2017-18) and the AMP Quay Quarter redevelopment is ushering in a new era for Circular Quay. There are also towers either under construction or proposed for the block bounded by Alfred, George, Bridge and Pitt Street's which will transform that section of the city. 

Remember This? Natural Gas Advertisement - "Sydney Under Snow" (1983)

Yesterday, Penrith recorded the highest temperature on the planet - 47.1 degrees while on the coast, it hit 43 degrees, the hottest day recorded in five years.

Meanwhile, many areas of the United States has been subject to an Arctic blast particularly in the north east and mid west.

But how would Sydneysiders cope with a such a cold blast? AGL tried to answer that in 1983 as part of its marketing to attract customers.

As a bonus from that time, here is one of the famous "flame girls" advertisements. They would disappear during the 1990's.

1962: Tom Ugly's Bridge as a double deck bridge?

In 1962, there was only one crossing over Georges River to link the Sutherland Shire with the rest of Sydney - Tom Ugly's Bridge. The bridge could only carry three lanes of traffic. The postwar years saw a boom in the population and congestion on the bridge approaches was becoming an ever increasing problem.

Source: Anon. 1962. "Engineer proposes an answer to the chaos". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 8: 1. 

One engineer - James Stewart had a plan that would allow for an additional three lanes built atop the existing lanes of the bridge. It was an efficient proposal, but the challenge would have been with the approaches to the bridge. This may have had implications on both sides of the bridge as we see it today. 

   

Source: Anon. 1962. "Cars could drive over the top of Tom Ugly's". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 8: 3. 

It was not until 1987, that a second bridge was built roughly parallel to the existing bridge - Georges River Bridge which would carry southbound traffic on the Princes Highway, allowing tom Ugly's Bridge to carry northbound traffic only. 

Also, he suggested a rail line traveling from Caringbah to Rockdale to relieve congestion on the single deck Como Bridge with the tracks incorporated into the soon to be built Captain Cook Bridge. He felt that while tenders had closed, the design could be modified. The line would have followed the corridor for the F6 (Southern) Freeway and rejoined the main Illawarra line at Rockdale. This would have led to significant reductions in commute times on the Cronulla branch line and provided South Coast services a second route through Southern Sydney.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Sydney City Council Proposal to turn the Queen Victoria Building into a public square (1959)

Some might remember in the early 1970s when architect Harry Seidler called for the demolition of the Queen Victoria Building in George Street and that a multi-storey carpark replace the building.

Demolishing the QVB was an idea for more than a decade. In the late 1950's Sydney City Council wanted the building demolished for a public square with an underground carpark modeled on public squares in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

One proposal called for York Street to be tunneled.

Source: Anon. 1959. "Lord Mayors Idea For A New Square". The Sun Herald, May 10: 12. 

They felt that the building was just half the value of the site itself and not earning revenue for the council, who were the landholders.  They felt the public square and carpark would earn more revenue.

The question will be asked - What if it became reality?

• The proposed square for the eastern side of George Street would never be in the works.
• Stricter building codes for York, Market and George Streets. Some of the tall buildings we see today might not have been allowed, especially those in more recent years. The impact would go even to King Street and beyond.
• The focal point for events around Town Hall would have shifted to its north instead of the east. The public rallies and civil gatherings along George Street would not happen in the way we see today.

We should be grateful that one of finest buildings in Sydney from the Victorian era is still with us today. The decision to convert the building into a shopping centre has paid off massive dividends for Sydney. It is a much-loved destination for shopping in central Sydney and the most famous retail complex of all. It is a meeting place for people too. One can dine at a cafe and restaurant and watch the world go by. 

Related Entries

Added October 2022

• 1961: Harry Seidler calls for demolition of the QVB
• NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Sydney Square Scheme (1968)

1989: Vision for the Pyrmont Peninsula

As you can see, I enjoy sharing visions for Sydney and this one focuses on a 1989 clipping from The Sunday Telegraph where a vision for the Pyrmont Peninsula and the Bays Precinct is featured.

Source: Flamstead, K. 1989. "An emerald vision for an eyesore". The Sunday Telegraph, March 19: 155.

Some points of interest:

• The "Golden Gate" style bridge became a reality - ANZAC Bridge which was opened in 1995.
• The City West Link made it as far as Lilyfield but Westconnex will now link the road with the M4 Motorway at Concord.
• The White Bay intersection became a reality.
• Residential Development has ended up being predominantly midrise with some highrises permitted. Some of the area has since become public land.  
• Proposed tourist developments never eventuated at Darling Island with office and apartment buildings built.
• The old goods line became a light rail line in 1997. It initially went to Glebe, was extended to Lilyfield (2000) and then in 2014 to Dulwich Hill. 
• There is no direct identification of which Grain Terminal (Pyrmont or Glebe Island) was going to be replaced with terrace typed housing. At Pyrmont, Apartment blocks were built and incorporated a public park. At Glebe Island, the silos are heritage listed.
• Blackwattle Bay did get a marina which is home to Sydney's Super Yachts.

Planning is underway on the Bays Precinct which will focus on the redevelopment of the former Port at Glebe Island and the Sydney Fish Markets. 

Evolution of World Square Postscript: New finding

A fortnight ago, I mentioned that our series on World Square had concluded, but there is a postscript. From time to time, there is always something new that can be found once the research is presented. Just recently, I came across a 1965 proposal to build a 38 level tower right atop the Anthony Horderns Building.

How did I come across it? The Sydney Morning Herald has given its archives for 1955-95 a huge makeover and provides more thorough search results on anything that one wants to find.  Simply playing around with the upgraded features gave me access to articles that I would not have found under the old website.

I had thought that the first World Square scheme was from 1973, but getting to where it is now was a process that spanned forty years, not the thirty or twenty years that I may have once thought.

The idea for a tower built above Anthony Horderns was a simple idea and was seen as a way of trying to renew the southern end of the city, which newspapers were highlighting that year. It went as far as reporting that it was unsafe to venture in the streets around there. The plan included three floors of underground parking, five floors of retail, 31 levels of office space and three floors of apartments at the top of the building.

It could have been the best of both worlds, but I think the 38 storey tower would appear dated against other city buildings, not to mention the fact it might have warranted a heritage listing today as one of the first major highrises down that end of the city.

They were optimistic that it would be ready by 1968.

Source: Johnson, B. 1965. "A green light for up-town Sydney". The Sun Herald, September 26: 45.