Property Advert of the Week: Huxley Homes (1984)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1984 by Huxley Homes. Five model homes were on display, which could be built on one's own block of land or combined with a house and land package. The display village was located on Epson Road, Chipping Norton.

 

Source: Huxley Homes. 1984. Untitled (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph,  May 12: 10.

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.

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. 

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

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)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)
10. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)
11. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): New Planning Guidelines unveiled (1993)
12. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The shift towards residential development (1993)
13. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)
14. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction commences (1995)
15. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction continues (1996)
16. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)
17. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)
18. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Redevelopment Visions (1997)
19. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): NSW Government Response (1997)
20. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Completion of Bennelong Apartments (1998)
21. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Jorn Utzon's perspective (1998)

Real Estate Advert of the Week: Narellan Gardens Estate, Narellan Vale (1993)

Below is a 1993 newspaper advertisement promoting the Narellan Gardens Estate at Narellan Vale. Blocks of land were available from $57,500.

Source: Monarch Investments Group of Companies. 1993. "New Land Release" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, May 1: 53. 

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.

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.

Source: Totaro, P. 1998. "Utzon: flats ruin Opera House site". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 22: 2. 

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

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)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)
10. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)
11. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): New Planning Guidelines unveiled (1993)
12. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The shift towards residential development (1993)
13. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)
14. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction commences (1995)
15. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction continues (1996)
16. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)
17. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)
18. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Redevelopment Visions (1997)
19. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): NSW Government Response (1997)
20. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Completion of Bennelong Apartments (1998)

Taking a temporary break

I have had a few commitments lately, which have impacted my ability to prepare the weekly postings. Therefore, I will be taking a short break from posting entries until the end of September. This will allow me to attend to them and not be pressed to meet "deadlines." 

In the meantime, enjoy what is already been featured here. It is not going to disappear any day soon.  

Property Advert of the Week: Forge Real Estate (1984)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1984 from Forge Real Estate. In addition to helping homebuyers obtain a home without a deposit, they provided support with financing and access to government grants. The main office was at Baulkham Hills, but Home Advice Centres were located in St Clair and Oxley Park.

Source: Forge Real Estate. 1984. "New Home Buyers...No Deposit". The Daily Telegraph, January 14: 27. 

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." 

 

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. 

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. 

  

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.

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

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)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)
10. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)
11. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): New Planning Guidelines unveiled (1993)
12. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The shift towards residential development (1993)
13. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)
14. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction commences (1995)
15. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction continues (1996)
16. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)
17. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)
18. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Redevelopment Visions (1997)
19. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): NSW Government Response (1997)

Property Advert of the Week: Century Green by Clarendon, Lidcombe (2000)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 2000 to promote the Century Green estate by Clarendon Homes. The estate is located on the site of the former Lidcombe Hospital and the Media Centre used for the 2000 Olympic Games. Four bedroom townhouses were on sale from $290 000 and 2 Storey Homes from $440 000.  

Source: Clarendon Homes. 2000. "Century Green by Clarendon" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, April 8: 11. 

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.

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

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)
9. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): East Circular Quay 'Ideas Quest' (1992)
10. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Mirvac Hotel Scheme - 61 Macquarie Street (1992)
11. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): New Planning Guidelines unveiled (1993)
12. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The shift towards residential development (1993)
13. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Residential Scheme unveiled (1994)
14. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction commences (1995)
15. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Construction continues (1996)
16. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Unveiling "The Toaster" (1997)
17. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): The protests (1997)
18. East Circular Quay Redevelopment (Series): Redevelopment Visions (1997)

Property Advert of the Week: Ingleburn Town Estate (1974)

Below is a 1974 newspaper advertisement promoting a land release in Ingleburn located to the east of the town centre. Blocks were on sale from $10 750, equivalent to approximately $104 500 today (RBA Inflation Calculator)

 

Source: Bill Hall Real Estate. 1974. "Beat This: Ingleburn Town Centre" (Advertisment). The Daily Telegraph, June 29: 41.