All shops bar the three on George Street side have now closed, the hoarding on Pitt Street is very advanced and has nearly covered the monorail track and the hotel closes Friday week - I think its time to start the thread!

I'm glad they've started with the Pitt St facade - this will probably the last we will ever have to think about those horrendous car ramps!!! ;)

Full speed ahead I say! ;)

I'm so happy ..... I just wanna cry! Good riddence to bad rubbish!

Ever since i can remember, the mass of crinkly concrete has, ummmm, errr, graced?, the podium. It is going to be hard to imagine the streetscape without it, but i'll learn quickly http://www.plauder-smilies.de/happy/bdent.gif (Smilie face also representing the slow stripping back of the podium).

Originally posted by museumb
Ever since i can remember, the mass of crinkly concrete has, ummmm, errr, graced?, the podium. It is going to be hard to imagine the streetscape without it, but i'll learn quickly http://www.plauder-smilies.de/happy/bdent.gif (Smilie face also representing the slow stripping back of the podium).

LOL at the smilely.... Anyway, it's good news. Those hideous ramps are long overdue for some destruction. They should sell tickets to the show...

took this pic at 2pm today. just happened to glance up and saw a couple of guys abseiling down the facade, probably checking out its condition.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid39/p0d5eb504d4449caf69514773ea795e6f/fd08705e.jpg

Thanks again Cul- it has a bit of a World Trade Centre look about it in that perspective.

Originally posted by spazpecker
Thanks again Cul- it has a bit of a World Trade Centre look about it in that perspective.

RE: WTC - I agree on the comparison...with the exception of the colour. I would have thought the grey of the former WTC was about as dull as you can get, but I think the Brown/Grey/Almost-pinkish of Hilton has it beaten!! ;)

Originally posted by spazpecker
Thanks again Cul- it has a bit of a World Trade Centre look about it in that perspective. .......

I wish the Hilton could fall down like the WTC with just Sank Fartor inside it ... :D

I have some photos of the shopping complex taken just prior to closure. Will make great comparison photos.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid37/p33eaed2e1600f9d17f24ccb02b97cbbb/fd17cef1.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid36/pc3b0d8e824740d3d8e05e4a2218fa460/fd1f71eb.jpg

Originally posted by SinCity
.......

I wish the Hilton could fall down like the WTC with just Sank Fartor inside it ... :D

Seriously, nobody needs to be concerned about Sartor anymore - he will likely only be Mayor till next March, and if he doesn't end up being an MP for Rockdale, he will retire from being Mayor in September anyway!

It's time to move on to being concerned about what the next Mayor may be like!

Frank was a fantastic mayor IMO !
He introduced 'Living Sydney', major pre-Olympics infrastructure projects, design competitions and attracted a massive amount of PR and investment for the CBD with his streamlining of 'red tape' , his strategy implementation, outspoken opinions, visions and ability to get things done !

He was instrumental in enforcing the height limits throughtout the CBD which has had many benefits for the 'look' of the skyline and for those who work and live amongst it.
As skyscraper fans all of us were pissed about some 'talls' that were knocked on the head but that alone shouldn't smear his record.

It appears Lucy Turnbull , wife of Malcolm, is odds on for his job.
A red herrring is Paul Keating, who was mentioned in the weekend media as a contender !!!!

Originally posted by spazpecker
Frank was a fantastic mayor IMO !
He introduced 'Living Sydney', major pre-Olympics infrastructure projects, design competitions and attracted a massive amount of PR and investment for the CBD with his streamlining of 'red tape' , his strategy implementation, outspoken opinions, visions and ability to get things done !

He was instrumental in enforcing the height limits throughtout the CBD which has had many benefits for the 'look' of the skyline and for those who work and live amongst it.
As skyscraper fans all of us were pissed about some 'talls' that were knocked on the head but that alone shouldn't smear his record.

It appears Lucy Turnbull , wife of Malcolm, is odds on for his job.
A red herrring is Paul Keating, who was mentioned in the weekend media as a contender !!!!

Yeah, I think Sartor has done fantastic job as well. Not only has he introduced reforms like "Living City" which have been such a benefit to the CBD, but he has also taken the level of design assessment of proposals put forward for development to the level of an art.

Requiring compulsory design competitions for new developments is a fantastic requirement.

And besides all this, he has managed the City of Sydney all the way from the Olympic bidding, to steering through the preparations, hosting the games, and then continuing for the next couple of years!

Just think of what a makeover the CBD has had in the time he's been in office!

Anyway, I hope he will succeed in his move on to bigger things with the State Government - Rockdale really needs someone with experience like his in the assessment of developments and maintenance of quality, considering the debacle with the previous council!!

And Lucy Turnbull as the Deputy Mayor will take over from Sartor when he leaves his post in March, and she will carry through to the next local government elections in September, then on to the next term if elected.

Has anyone heard much about her? What is she like? I know her great-grandfather (or maybe it was just grandfather) was once a Mayor of Sydney.

They've already got one crane on site (on the roof of the hotel), I saw some guys looking at the hilton sign on the top of the building...(Didn't get photos of the guys unfortunately, but I did get a photo of the crane poking up over the facade)

They're also putting together a crane on the pitt st side of the building...

Photos at 6! :-)

Wow, thanks.
Must do a CBD crane count ! Be something like 20 now which is the most I've seen in the CBD in my time here.

Guys the hotel closes on Sunday! Only 5 days to go.

Glad to seeing it getting a much needed facelift.

Here are some pics to bring joy to the hearts of men (and the occasional woman too)... :-)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid39/p05a4b80f7a7d094f32e22235b564942a/fd071891.jpg.orig.jpg

:)



The soon-to-be crane on the pitt st side of the building. Part of the tower the crane is going to sit atop is already in place, if you look closely.. The rest of the crane is in pieces.

I really don't think they're going to waste any time on this project.....:D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid39/pd0d7ba674fdff551d7a1364a8dd21adf/fd071892.jpg.orig.jpg

....and if you look closely, the workmen are sitting on their lazy butts!!

From one fugly to another. 201 Elizabeth Street (Pacific Power) concretey bits looking down at The Hilton. Nice view.

Let's see if they can do what they have to to The Hilton without changing its big-city feeling.

A blurb from today's AFR locked sites:

Check-out time approaches for Hilton (pad-lock >()

As the last guests in Sydney's dowager Hilton Hotel check out, most are unaware that the hotel's contents are following them out the door, readying the building for a $200 million rebuild. By Lisa Allen (Nov 20) » Full report

Yes, I can see the two men having a bludge:mad:

I haven't seen a crane like that in a development since the late 60's according to pictures of buildings under construction at the time.

The old and the new meet.

In today's hard copy of The AFR (20/11/2002) on page 7, which is not part of the Property Section, the Hilton Hotel is auctioneering off a full ensemble of 580 hotel room and suite’s contents. This will include such fixtures as pictures, pillows and lamps.

More substantial furniture will include beds, chairs, bar fridges and writing desks which will be included in them auctioneering off.

Theses auctions should provide an estimated several hundred thousand dollars acting as a small contribution towards The Hilton’s overall refurbishment.

Did they provide any details of when and where they are going to auction these goods. Might be interested in going.

Fabian,

Unfortunately the furnishings and fixtures to be auctioned by Sydney's Hilton are aimed at country and interstate motel chains. You, we and us are out of the running so to speak.

This being reported in the same AFR edition's article from yesterday i.e. Weds, 20/11/02.

A small Hilton Update - The tacky souvenir shop on George Street closed today and Florsheim shoes is in the midst of a moving sale (to Galleries Victoria) and is all boxed up and ready to go. On Pitt Street, the hoarding structure covering the monorail is complete (very sturdy looking) and is now being boxed in. The crane base has been installed on the top of the Pitt Street side and is awaiting its arm.

The crane is now assembled and sitting on the eastern side ! Another one to count !!!:guns1:

The crane finally got its arm today and the hotel closes on Saturday - let the renovations begin!

shot of crane today from darlinghurst!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p52a2b129b524aec7f595f7da92ba236f/fd00769c.jpg

Is that crane directly on the top of the roof?

Originally posted by Fabian
Is that crane directly on the top of the roof?
yep! it was assembled on roof!

Thats pretty unusual to have a crane right on the roof of a building. I'm used to crane's going along the side of the building. Is there any chance we will see a crane running along the side?

They are redoing the facade as well as gutting the insides right?
If yes does anyone have an idea what they are planning??

Some people have renderings of the redevelopment themselves and wouldn't mind posting them. I have slow internet access at present and cannot go back through the threads at the moment. Even scroll through the threads to find them.

They are pretty much rebuilding the podium which will see those ramps on Pitt Street removed and extending it. Museumb has the details to what else will be done.

I have city model pictures of what the renovated Hilton would look like. I'll post them later today when I have some time again due to slow internet access.

I saw the crane moving last week too... at least we know it's already started working.:guns1:

Originally posted by fro
I saw the crane moving last week too... at least we know it's already started working.:guns1:
That's the understatement of the month..

They've been using it all day to hoist parts of an even bigger crane up to the roof. Guess who has photos....

Expect a major pictorial update tonight, lads!

:guns1: :guns1: :guns1:

Tonight ( Friday ) is the LAST NIGHT that the place is open and there is a massive piss up in all of the Hilton bars , with $2 beers.
There's a few guys from work going down there.
The hotel has not had guests in it since Wednesday.

There's a bit going on in Sydney tonight- the Chilli Peppers at Aussie Stadium and the Magic Millions harness race at Harold Park........ I'm going to the Annandale Hotel to re-live my childhood and see Midnight Oil !

Originally posted by spazpecker
I'm going to the Annandale Hotel to re-live my childhood and see Midnight Oil !

Hahaha - im going to the Kogarah Mecca (Sydney's cheapest cinemas!) to continue to live my thrifty and low budget life, and see "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"! ;)

Hi guys..

I managed to take photos most of today while they were putting together the crane on the roof. This new crane sits on a little bit of girder. so that it's slightly off the roof .

It's not quite complete yet...still a bit to be put together. It looks like they were putting together the arm of the crane as well - I'm assuming so that they can hoist it up to the roof and attach it to the crane in one piece tomorrow.

That should be a site to see...:)

I'm kind wondering what they're going to do with the other crane once this new one is erected. It seems a bit of a waste to put together one crane just to erect another.

Anyway, photos as promised...Enjoy! :)
(They're imagestation pics, so you no doubt know how to get the larger versions up if you want to...)

Also, gotta apologise for the somewhat lacking quality. I took these through the *VERY* dirty 31st floor windows of Pac Power building... Also, the storm clouds didn't help....:)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pca5dd68101b758293e02ec87988e1332/fcfe7227.jpg
hoisting the cab to the roof

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p3111e78a85236ba732b42c2d45012d62/fcfe714a.jpg
almost there...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pb37c035f3142d7a6c481bdb1e90cdb83/fcfe70eb.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p0f288421cdc8c1b3ecc90e51f2021c45/fcfe70b3.jpg
Fixing the cab into place

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pe6818d5cbfbb5343115d0971735038de/fcfe7060.jpg
The cab is now in place!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p915f6e0d28f3f1809a20d4bbd78c8ed3/fcfe6fb2.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pa3c0070680421acdee48eefe246522b1/fcfe6f8f.jpg
Now the winding gear....

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p6d2926cae54b55894381701bca78634b/fcfe6e62.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p60dfcfdd40a230f8782196e5ecbff67e/fcfe6e3c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p9c9208ee9780ca9317c168368d4375a0/fcfe6dee.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p473f7565f0c1aa05e7a2c457111c9608/fcfe6db3.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pf49426179d48598af92dab03f3e3eee3/fcfe6d95.jpg
And finally (for today) the cable guide....:)

Pity I didn't see the arm going up, it's going to be quite long... Anyone with a digicam going into town tomorrow? It'll be quite impressive seeing THAT hoisted up to the roof...

Excellent pics jcocks!

I always love seeing construction work from a different perspective - i.e. at eye-level of whats going on, rather than gazing and squinting from street level!

I absolutely cannot wait to see the gradual transformation of the god forsaken Hilton abomination! ;)

I now get why the crane was mounted on the roof.

Hope it's finished.

Well it does appear that indeed the crane's been VERY busy! HA! To think I didn't notice... well I have been rather busy the last few weeks...

Top pics jcocks! You should set up a webcam right on that window ;) Ozscrapers 24/7 Hilton redevelopment camera...

Despite the not so great weather, your pics are excellent jcocks :okay: . They are giving us a fantastic indication of what is happening. Thanks!

The only major structural engineering that will take place will be on the podium i.e. it will be totally stripped back and where the internal load bearing columns have also suffered from concrete cancer, they will be repaired where necessary.

All internal infrastructure including electrical wiring and plumbing etc. will also be worked on where necessary.

The actual tower will be refurbished throughout internally and will be recladded externally. Only where there are signs of (if any) concrete cancer internally, this will also be repaired.

Thanks to finn, a rendering:

...............http://arch.usyd.edu.au/~afindlay/hiltonredev.jpg


I'll be glad when they get rid of the astro-turf surrounding the outside swimming pool sitting atop an upper level podium as part of the tower ( i guess you would call it "the North Wing" ;) ) on the Market Street side. Here is a pic of it looking down from Sydney Tower's observation deck.

...........http://skyscraperphotos.com/cit/dsy03/a/izsy316.jpg

Originally posted by museumb
I'll be glad when they get rid of the astro-turf surrounding the outside swimming pool sitting atop an upper level podium as part of the tower ( i guess you would call it "the North Wing" ;) ) on the Market Street side. Here is a pic of it looking down from Sydney Tower's observation deck.

...........http://skyscraperphotos.com/cit/dsy03/a/izsy316.jpg

For sure! As much as I have enjoyed the view looking down at the Hilton swimming pool from Centrepoint in my numerous visits, the Astroturf has got to go!!!

Which reminds me of a picture I took when I was on holidays in the US earlier this year. I would say the picture is the ultimate in representing the retail outlets of suburban sprawl.

The setting for the pic is the suburbs of Carson City, Nevada and the location is the surface car park of a huge strip mall.

The focus is a consumer, loading his purchases into the rear section of his SUV (4 wheel drive), and the most bizarre feature of this image is the astroturf, which has been used to line the verge/nature strip of the road!

http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au/~afindlay/astroturf.jpg

:rotf:

The assembling of the crane continued into yesterday. I managed to get this picture from Pitt St mall.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pc3837ccb7e3f06f203b72425f81e4b14/fcfd7b4e.jpg

That looks like one major crane! Well, it's going to be one major undertaking.....

Saw the Hilton today and it had the two cranes on top.

The Hilton is now officially closed!

Here is a picture of the George St side. I could not get the whole foyer in. Just goes to show how much it is in need of renovation

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p9e063efd5a730c6c90d9455e16f10700/fcfd7b49.jpg

A third crane is being erected today on the george street side of the building!

Also, george st hoarding is half complete, the convenience store on pitt is close, the auction is complete tomorrow and signs are posted that through access (george to pitt) will be closed from the 14th - not sure why they didn't do that when the hotel closed.

Let's see some demolition!

That means the acrade closes today. I bet the remaining shops are doing closing down sales so if you need to buy some presents, I think it will be the place to snap a bargain.

I managed to get this picture of Hilton today with both cranes at the top.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/p3657d770e16c5e28b72741bc3437c164/fcea8bfb.jpg

Go Leighton! Quality project rest assured.

I am just so relieved that the re-construction has finally begun!

Now when we look at The Hilton, everyone should think of it as an exciting construction site, and not a very poorly maintained, badly dated, big brown eyesore! ;)

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by finn </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I am just so relieved that the re-construction has finally begun!

Now when we look at The Hilton, everyone should think of it as an exciting construction site, and not a very poorly maintained, badly dated, big brown eyesore! ;)</td></tr>
</table>

Amen brother! A-men!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by finn </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I am just so relieved that the re-construction has finally begun!

Now when we look at The Hilton, everyone should think of it as an exciting construction site, and not a very poorly maintained, badly dated, big brown eyesore! ;)</td></tr>
</table>

I'll be covering this development as much as I can.

Yeah, a big brown eyesore, badly planned driveway accesses, concrete cancer and an astroturfed pool. What a combo!

IMHO I've always liked the shape of the Hilton though; the base, the north 'n south wings on the Pitt Street side and the tower.

A bit of history.

According to an issue of The Daily Telegraph in Oct 1973 that i came across on microfish at the State Library, the Hilton was initially called "The Lanray Centre".

The Lanray Centre was to be built for Hilton Hotels Inc. for $40 million. Try building a tower of that size for $40 million in today's monetary terms!! No way!

The current redevelopment is in the vicinity of $150 million.

In todays terms, it would of costed something like 300-400 million dollars. Thats alot of money for just one building.

Thanks for that.

:okay:

That sounds like a pretty fair estimation monetarily but i think with inflation and higher overheads, it would be more than that to build (or rebuild with the added costs of total demolition) "a Sydney Hilton" now.

Therefore, today $150 million for the present overhaul is obviously more economically viable.

BTW The only Lanray i can find on the internet is Lanray Industries Ltd. in Woombye, Queensland. :?

Only $150 million to renovate the hotel compared to 400 million for building it in the first place. I think were getting good value for money in this redevelopment.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>:okay:
BTW The only Lanray i can find on the internet is Lanray Industries Ltd. in Woombye, Queensland. :?</td></tr>
</table>

Probably one of those 70's/80's property companies that spec. build and go bust - like Bond Corp.

The period when Hilton was being built, alot of building companies went bust. I think economic problems at the time played apart in these too.

I managed to get some photos of the model of the redeveloped Hilton

South side

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid29/p11f3904cd9d6e675bc9f71f0a8fb9c67/fd594fdd.jpg

Pitt St side

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid30/p3c7fafcf3b8ae317ae22054b6ae3b31e/fd55d9db.jpg

George St side

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid35/pfa0ebdf02c93cd80a1f952719f97942f/fd2f0bb9.jpg

I walked along the Pitt St side of the building today and the underground carpark is still open.

Hilton Management hand over the keys to contractors on the 06/01/03. There will be an approx 18 month refurbishment period.

Approx four slabs on the podium level will be demolished to be reset, as the new hotel entrance will be via a porte cochere running from Pitt St to George St. Above the porte cochere will be a multi level atrium.

The astro turf will not remain around the pool, as the pool and health club will be relocated to street level and the level above it. It will be operated by Living Well.

Regards
RMM

I took a picture of the hoarding along the Pitt St side of the building from the skybridge linking Picadilly and City Centre

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid44/pff8d75fac14da567c24dc1dae3fcb4a6/fcdb6129.jpg

And a new model image of the Northern side. I was able to the the George St entrance in it too

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid44/p63be8c2076fd737162a25cf85a92ff2b/fcdb089b.jpg

Sweet, thanks fab.
I am so looking forward to seeing that fucking cut concrete dissapear on Goerge St and those god forsaken ramps on the Pitt St side !

I took this picture of Hilton yesterday from Town Hall House. It seems some parts of the building are peeling off!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p9b37661481b2081351cf5f9e9dde559a/fcc53c23.jpg.orig.jpg

I have a new update.

Hoardings have now appeared along the George St side.

This picture was taken only an hour and a half ago. Hoardings are becoming more advanced and the "drop zone" is starting to make an appearance. Also the crane happened to be in action.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid51/p37f0bc09cd31820b40a9ef9638faa608/fc9e0a1c.jpg

This pic was taken back on 17th December from the Tower.

Anyone for a swim?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid51/p72b89fa5ce351bd74bf9c10a91979d6f/fc9da021.jpg


lockstar

Good one! Looks like part of a crane is still on the base. Maybe that might be used later on.

Will the external appearance be the same after the renovation is complete ?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Will the external appearance be the same after the renovation is complete ?</td></tr>
</table>
yep! but with a bit of a much needed spit and polish!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Will the external appearance be the same after the renovation is complete ?</td></tr>
</table>

According to the rendering, It will look more goldish. Definately much better than the brown look we've had.

People have been critical of the external appearance but I quite like it.

In those model pictures there is a building behind the hilton in grey. I didn't think they had started building that building yet. And if they haven't then why is the Hilton in grey too ?

Thats an old proposal for John Boyd.

There's quite a bit of action behind the hoardings on George and Pitt :- sparks are flying from welders, jack-hammers are doing their thing, it's all go, go, go

Took this pic earlier today while walking down King St


http://images2.fotki.com/v19/photos/2/22045/167517/0320hiltonconstruction-vi.jpg

Thanks to leighton.com.au, some renders of the Hilton's refurb:

Exterior on the George Street side:

http://www.leighton.com.au/Images/uploaded//LCPL_Hilton_02.jpg


Entrance/Interior Renderings:

More fembots.....

http://www.leighton.com.au/Images/uploaded//LCPL_Hilton_03.jpg

http://www.leighton.com.au/Images/uploaded//LCPL_Hilton.jpg

The base looks impressive. Very open and inviting too.

Wow, the base looks great! Now they better make some significant improvements on the tower as well! ;)

As RMM said @ our Town Hall House venture, they are recladding the tower with a bronzey-silver material. The walls of the hotel rooms are quite solid though - very sound proof. Only any areas that show signs of concrete cancer, will be rectified.

In the last 2 renders, is the hanging green material the astro turf recycled that surrounded the swimming pool of the top of the north wing ;) ?

Are those areas with the fascade peeling off showing signs of cancer?

Here are some pics, taken this morning. Now we're seeing large pieces of the facade removed. It's amazing how much concrete is in this thing!


http://images2.fotki.com/v19/photos/2/22045/167517/0340hiltonconstruction-vi.jpg

http://images2.fotki.com/v19/photos/2/22045/167517/0341hiltonconstruction-vi.jpg

http://images2.fotki.com/v19/photos/2/22045/167517/0342hiltonconstruction-vi.jpg

Good photo's Bulwara

Good to see some real work going on.

I've also seen the cranes hard at work when Tim Bailey shows the skycam as part of his weather report.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Bulwara </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Here are some pics, taken this morning. Now we're seeing large pieces of the facade removed. It's amazing how much concrete is in this thing!

http://images2.fotki.com/v19/photos/2/22045/167517/0340hiltonconstruction-vi.jpg
</td></tr>
</table>

After seeing your pics Bulwara, I'm now really hopeful that they'll keep going with the removal of the facade over the whole tower - not just the podium! ;)

they have certainly removed a massive amount of facade you can actually see the buildings skeleton. does anyone have the rendering for this refurb?

Go back to page 4 if you want to see some renderings.

I am actually dissapointed that they will be changing the external appearance of the building because it looked very much of its time and it is no good changing buildings all the time because you want to be able to see examples of as many periods as you can.

The exterior won't change that much except for the base, where some office space will be added. Colourwise, yes it will turning from brown to gold.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I am actually dissapointed that they will be changing the external appearance of the building because it looked very much of its time and it is no good changing buildings all the time because you want to be able to see examples of as many periods as you can.</td></tr>
</table>

I think I may have felt the same way about it had the building been properly maintained.

I definitely support preserving a wide variety of styles in a city, as that reflects the different periods of development, and provides a good identification of the history of the city.

However, this particular building has aged badly because there was no real effort to maintain it as it would have appeared at the time it was completed.

This lack of maintenance, combined with concrete cancer problems, and poor design with respect to its urban context (i.e. the car ramps looming over Pitt St) means that the only real solution is to redesign the podium to be more respectful of its surroundings, and refurbish the tower to match its newly designed base.

I'm just hoping that they do a good job with this tower refurb.

A little pic, showing the car ramps (now demolished I think), and a slightly different rendering to the ones posted by Fabian, where they seem to have some other things happening on the tower facade:

http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au/~afindlay/Hilton.jpg

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I am actually dissapointed that they will be changing the external appearance of the building because it looked very much of its time and it is no good changing buildings all the time because you want to be able to see examples of as many periods as you can.</td></tr>
</table>

I think I may have felt the same way about it had the building been properly maintained.

I definitely support preserving a wide variety of styles in a city, as that reflects the different periods of development, and provides a good identification of the history of the city.

However, this particular building has aged badly because there was no real effort to maintain it as it would have appeared at the time it was completed.

This lack of maintenance, combined with concrete cancer problems, and poor design with respect to its urban context (i.e. the car ramps looming over Pitt St) means that the only real solution is to redesign the podium to be more respectful of its surroundings, and refurbish the tower to match its newly designed base.

I'm just hoping that they do a good job with this tower refurb.</td></tr>
</table>

I guess. But this one was such a prominenet example of buildings of its type. I can't think of another one that looks the same in Sydney.

Here's an update

Look at what they are doing it to the roof. They must be working on the plant rooms.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid55/p11f629dcb44fd38b2f77e46f5f55ee65/fc7cc700.jpg

Pitt St side.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid55/pdb941177ab71c29cf25c822c88f319f9/fc7cc6f4.jpg

The Hilton signage has actually removed if you have not noticed in those photo's. The Sun Herald has a picture in"naked city" the signage being removed. It even exposed some of the previous signage.

Here's a picture of the previous signage which was exposed when the current Hilton signage was removed

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid57/pccc8b6f76332f343337d01c09a8fe20b/fc6e0e03.jpg

And remember that the new Hilton logo will adorn the tower when it's all complete.

There really ripping into the facade now. Its amazing how the whole former pool level wings will extend out 6m towards the Pitts st elevation. thats alot of concrete pouring for each floor.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/187598.jpg

...and the George St base has all but gone. Still bits of it left however....

I've seen some scaffholding there for sometime. Good to see it finally gone.

On the Eastern side, it seems that things have come to a halt. I can't see any change.

view from Park Street today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/188155.jpg

cullwulla that shots is "so sydney" dense, thin street, macdonalds, mono rail tube !!!

What actually has been happening on the Hilton site. Hardly anyone has said exactly what has been happening other than the building being guttered.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>What actually has been happening on the Hilton site. Hardly anyone has said exactly what has been happening other than the building being guttered.</td></tr>
</table>
as you can see by pix, the external skin is being either ripped off or replaced and podium is being demolished! thats about it. Within next few months we should start to see some major changes to Hiltons east side and its podium being rebuilt!

The Hilton is one hot! makeover :colgate:

One of few makeovers that I actually like...

The Millenium grrrrr is going to be ugly >(

Avatar, as in the Millennium Hotel at Kings X makeover i.e Zenith? Forgone conclusion hey Avatar!

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>The Hilton is one hot! makeover :colgate:

One of few makeovers that I actually like...

The Millenium grrrrr is going to be ugly >(</td></tr>
</table>

The Millennium is going to come out even better!

The Zenith ( aka Millenium) makeover looks pretty good to me. It will be a real 'point of difference' on the eastern subs skyline. For me it will be a building that will actually be a focal point rather than a boxy brown thing with no redeeming features.

i like the boxy octagonal metallic thing that sits there today... I rather would see it stay with only minimal facade treatment... the shape is perfect.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>What actually has been happening on the Hilton site. Hardly anyone has said exactly what has been happening other than the building being guttered.</td></tr>
</table>
Well, here's the lowdown.....

Of course not all the building is being guttered - just most of the base.

Any signs of concrete cancer, particularly in the support columns throughout will be prepared appropriately.

Hotel rooms are being completely refurbished.

Tower's facade being totally recladded apparently in a bronze coloured material.

The north and south wings of the commercial component i.e. Capita Centre on the Pitt St side are being extended approx. 6 metres to front Pitt.

Hideous car ramps being demolished.

Hrmmmm, have I missed anything?

I was wondering if there any explaination for parts of the fascade peeling off as evidenced by this picture.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p9b37661481b2081351cf5f9e9dde559a/fcc53c23.jpg

Well, why didn't ya say so?

It's exactly that i.e. just peeling of either a paint or some kind of thin concrete formula. On a 30 year old structure built during a time when economic rationalisation in construction (i.e. built on the cheap) was at its peak in Australia, what else could we expect but peeling & concrete cancer!?!

I posted it back in January but no-one said anything about it. Thanks for attempting to explain it museumb!

"attempting to explain" ... how insensitive! errrr, at least you said "thanks" (I am of humble disposition yet empowered).

BTW The Hilton empowered fembots are on the loose, so watch it!

http://www.leighton.com.au/Images/uploaded//LCPL_Hilton_03.jpg

nice looking girl in the foreground. almost as good as what the hilton will look like when done:)

LOL @ the fembots. God love 'em... I wonder where they're all going?

Anwyway, I love the planned foyer, it looks so glassy. More glass the better in Sydney.

There still seems a lot of traffic access proposed for there though. Guess it cannot be helped, as it is a major hotel.

I've always wondered what the green furry stuff on the wall is in that last render. Perhaps proposed hanging gardens, creeping ivy or just modern green furry art ;) .

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>I've always wondered what the green furry stuff on the wall is in that last render. Perhaps proposed hanging gardens, creeping ivy or just modern green furry art ;) .</td></tr>
</table>

Perhaps its green shag-pile wall carpeting! You can take the Hilton out of the 70's, but you can never take the 70's out of the Hilton! ;)

Latest update

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p9499a20a49393f9a8002177e026e80a6/fc530d0b.jpg

Parts of the Western face look as if they have been recladded

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p5501cd5965cc4cdb437667f4a8e08012/fc530d22.jpg

Looking down on the site from level 43 Citigroup

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p04b75ca4d242eb18a9abc6fb930e1df9/fc530bda.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pc29a2997504f3519617dcce821ee344e/fc530c99.jpg

Those who went up citigroup were able to notice very clearly what was being done such as guttering and floor markings which go up to 43 as well as demolition work on both sides.

pic from today. southern facade being restored.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/191421.jpg

What exactly is involved with this refurb? Looks like it's only a bit of cleaning and restoration work to the facade, which means it'll still look shit when it's all done.:?

yeah its restoring and replacing old facade. The biggest improvement will be at street level with the podium which will entirely rebuilt and "open" up to george & pitt streets. with lots of glass and atriums. also another big change is the eastern side of the bldg where it will be extended 5m towards street. the "wings" are the sections to be enlarged. The hotel will look a 1000% better on completion next year.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pc29a2997504f3519617dcce821ee344e/fc530c99.jpg

look at the size of the cars and BUSES....... PUNY!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

bumped so as thread wont get deleted

today, looking pretty gutted!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126hilton.jpg


http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/05/191773.jpg

The renovation is proving what a crumbling mess the old Hilton had become.

I doesn't look at all as though it was fixed after that bombing in the early 80s ........

The Hilton was bombed in 1978 with an explosion coming from the George St side. There was no structural damage at all which was amazing!

It has really made some progress over the past few weeks as well. The base is just about gone!

according to SS.com, Hilton hotel is currently the tallest building in the world undergoing reconstruction!!!:bash:

Are those spires the top of QVB? They look pretty run down

Those copper domes on the QVB are intended to look that way with the green oxidization ......

top pics Cul! I walked past the Hilton last Friday afternoon and I must say, the progress is going well! On the Pitt St side they had the gates open and you could see all the way inside. It should be a great open foyer area once done. It's amazing how hideous those ramps were... god, I don't think ANYONE will miss those ugly bastards!

It was not the safest area of town to walk through when you went past the foyer and the ramps. It's going to be much safer now due to the laneway being built.

Walking past the QVB on George St today I noticed these rectangular panels on the western facade. They've been there for a while now that I look back to the pics posted previously, except everything above & below them is removed

What's the story?

Is this the new cladding for this part of the building?

http://images.fotki.com/v24/photos/2/22045/232274/h1-vi.jpg

http://images.fotki.com/v25/photos/2/22045/232274/h2-vi.jpg

My photo from George St last month has it in there. I wish i had the answer.

todays pic!
scene of bombing! no not quite, just rebuilding going on!
yeah Bulwarra, thats the new cladding, pretty cool hey!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126hiltonhotel.jpg

I like the cladding. I hope it gets the gold coating as promised.

The bronze/gold cladding will be on the north/south facade of the building.

Regards
RMM

nice pic cull

but it looks like the whole hotel is on unstable stilts!

the concrete supports look so thin and ready to crumble

I'm sure it'll be good after the refurb/reclad. It was a mess for such a long time...the old structure will not be missed!

Progress Update:

Level 43 - Level 30 rooms have been gutted.

A structural beam is currently being placed over what was the outdoor pool area that needs to be in place to allow the removal of some of the columns from the ballroom.

June will see the removal of the main structural beam that runs the full length of Pitt St side.

The new food and beverage outlets will be the Zita Bar, a modern version of a grand dining room, with it's own bakery, a crustacean bar and a kitchen theatre featuring a Chef's table. This is being designed by Tony Chi.

There will also be a Lobby Cafe and the Terrace Bar overlooking the QVB with indoor and outdoor seating.

The Marble Bar will remain intact due to heritage listing.

The conference area will be restructured so it will be able to accomodate up to 3000 delegates.

Room number will reduced from 588 to 577 rooms and a new health club run by Living Well incorporating heated swimming pool, spa, sauna and gymnasium will be built on the sub ground and ground floor.

source: Hilton Sydney News Letter.

Regards
RMM

Wow, great update RMM - thanks.

Can't wait to see the bronze/gold cladding - it will look snazzy for sure.

This sounds a bit of a worry though: Quote "June will see the removal of the main structural beam that runs the full length of Pitt St side." http://dj.comtv.ru/smales/sad/nervous.gif

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by RMM </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Progress Update:

Level 43 - Level 30 rooms have been gutted.

A structural beam is currently being placed over what was the outdoor pool area that needs to be in place to allow the removal of some of the columns from the ballroom.

June will see the removal of the main structural beam that runs the full length of Pitt St side.

The new food and beverage outlets will be the Zita Bar, a modern version of a grand dining room, with it's own bakery, a crustacean bar and a kitchen theatre featuring a Chef's table. This is being designed by Tony Chi.

There will also be a Lobby Cafe and the Terrace Bar overlooking the QVB with indoor and outdoor seating.

The Marble Bar will remain intact due to heritage listing.

The conference area will be restructured so it will be able to accomodate up to 3000 delegates.

Room number will reduced from 588 to 577 rooms and a new health club run by Living Well incorporating heated swimming pool, spa, sauna and gymnasium will be built on the sub ground and ground floor.

source: Hilton Sydney News Letter.

Regards
RMM</td></tr>
</table>

How can we get access to the newsletter?

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Wow, great update RMM - thanks.

Can't wait to see the bronze/gold cladding - it will look snazzy for sure.

This sounds a bit of a worry though: Quote "June will see the removal of the main structural beam that runs the full length of Pitt St side." http://dj.comtv.ru/smales/sad/nervous.gif</td></tr>
</table>

Yeah, sounds strange, though it is only snippets of information and not produced for the technically minded.

My guess, due to the reorientation of the building with the introduction of a porte cochere running from Pitts St through to George St, the structural integrity of the building is being changed and reinforced.

Fabian, the newsletter is for former employees.

Regards
RMM

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The new food and beverage outlets will be the Zita Bar, a modern version of a grand dining room, with it's own bakery, a crustacean bar and a kitchen theatre featuring a Chef's table. This is being designed by Tony Chi.</td></tr>
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A bar just for crustaceans? LOL.
Sorry. I must be the only one who found this funny. Good updat RMM!

I'm a bit lost with the gold/bronze that muse is talking about. Is the whole tower going to be covered in this or just some parts?

Cheers

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by RMM </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>
The new food and beverage outlets will be the Zita Bar, a modern version of a grand dining room, with it's own bakery, a crustacean bar and a kitchen theatre featuring a Chef's table. This is being designed by Tony Chi.</td></tr>
</table>

A bar just for crustaceans? LOL.
Sorry. I must be the only one who found this funny. Good updat RMM!

I'm a bit lost with the gold/bronze that muse is talking about. Is the whole tower going to be covered in this or just some parts?

Cheers</td></tr>
</table>

Not the whole building.

On the north and south facing sides, the current facade will have plating cladded over the sections between the windows (currently brown tiles). You can see an example of this on the north-east corner approx. level 12 (where the outdoor pool was located). They has a few examples of the cladding up there as comparison.

Regards
RMM

Hilton Yesterday

Pitt St

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/p2db2f9d83ac09c64f1d0df7e02b56766/fc0b056a.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/pe1c19f8c7e64537db70e314441532e40/fc0b0567.jpg

George St

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/p3f22f8d56fa765528e53b966dcc7856a/fc0af8d3.jpg

icky poo!!!!

it looks revolting at the moment!!

looking forward to when the new cladding goes on.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>icky poo!!!!

it looks revolting at the moment!!

looking forward to when the new cladding goes on.</td></tr>
</table>

Isn't this what you expect when you are renovating a tower?

Saying that Hilton looks ugly at the moment is like saying that Alyssa Milano's jugs are ugly right at the point when the surgeon is inserting her saline implants.
Yes, you are right, they're disgusting - but just wait a little bit of time and you'll be rewarded ! :rock:

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by spazpecker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Saying that Hilton looks ugly at the moment is like saying that Alyssa Milano's jugs are ugly right at the point when the surgeon is inserting her saline implants.
Yes, you are right, they're disgusting - but just wait a little bit of time and you'll be rewarded ! :rock:</td></tr>
</table>

LOL!

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>icky poo!!!!

it looks revolting at the moment!!

looking forward to when the new cladding goes on.</td></tr>
</table>

Isn't this what you expect when you are renovating a tower?</td></tr>
</table>

of course- but i didnt expect it to look THAT bad- it looks like a bomb has hit it. (yeh i know a bomb did hit it but hey..)

The bomb blew up in a garbage truck. There was no structural damage other than some broken glass. The real target was the world leaders inside the tower. I guess they wanted to bring the place down.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by spazpecker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Saying that Hilton looks ugly at the moment is like saying that Alyssa Milano's jugs are ugly right at the point when the surgeon is inserting her saline implants.
Yes, you are right, they're disgusting - but just wait a little bit of time and you'll be rewarded ! :rock:</td></tr>
</table>
ROFLMAO thats another way to put it:D

t

view from sydney tower today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/06/195750.jpg

The Hilton is looking quite silvery at the moment when the sun shines on it which makes it look strange.

Culwulla, did you get a shot of the entire hotel while you were up there?

See what you guys mean by the hiltons stilts
Was walking past today and it still looks a little odd to me

http://athene.riv.csu.edu.au/~towers02/dsc00448.jpg

BTW whats the fate of the marble bar ?

The Marble Bar will still be around. The Americas Cup lounge or bar has met a rather sad fate and won't be in the refurbished hotel.

Just another Photo of the Hiltons Base Today (June 9th)
Looking forward to the new Base ! THis is better than the night shots I pasted together

http://athene.riv.csu.edu.au/~towers02/ForSkyScrapersCityPage/Dsc00509.jpg

what side are we looking at and how did you get in?

George Street Side the South Corner
Did not get in Stuck my camera trough the mesh fence of Gate 5 (I think it was gate 5)

geez they've really pulled the place apart!! I am looking forward to when it is completed, if it looks anything like the renders i will be one happy chappy- when is it expected to be completed by?

great shot! thats the large void which is where the concierge will be ect. the refurb should be completed by this time next year!

The Sydney Morning Herald has obtained some exclusive details regarding the Hilton redevelopment

Hilton lightens up as dowager gets $140m makeover
By Carolyn Cummins, Commercial Property Editor
June 16 2003

Sydney's Hilton Hotel, the dowager of the city's five-star accommodation market, is due to reopen in a year after a $140 million upgrade.

Hilton bought the hotel from the Hong Kong newspaper publisher, C. K. Ma, for about $180 million in December.

The specialist interior architect firm, Chhada Siembieda Australia, has been commissioned to overhaul the property. Hilton's vice-president Australasia, Oded Lifschitz, said: "We feel the designers have successfully transformed a box of the 1960s into a living space of the new century."

The new-look hotel offers a presidential suite with a spa, double basins in the bathroom, and Bang and Olufson plasma screen televisions and sound systems.

The plans include a driveway between George and Pitt streets, opening up the hotel to both streets and giving a new pick-up and drop-off area.

The reception will be dropped from its fourth-floor level to the ground floor, and the Marble Bar will return to its basement spot with its entrance from George Street.

The once heavily wood-panelled and sombre foyer area will be transformed into an atrium, with a floor-to-ceiling sculpture, water feature and columns.

In the first exclusive glimpse of the plans, the Herald spotted a full height double glazing wall in the foyer, near the old Pitt Street entrance, which will let in daylight for the first time since the hotel opened in 1975 on the former Adams Hotel and Royal Arcade sites.

The retail space underneath and the ugly driveway in Pitt Street will disappear. A coffee shop will open next to the new reception.

The Hilton's refurbishment comes at a time when CBD hotels are being hit by low occupancy levels. That has given the Hilton the leeway to close down and re-open by June 2004 in time for an anticipated upturn in tourism.

Other hotels are taking advantage of the lull to bring in the builders, among them the InterContinental and the former Renaissance, which is now a Marriott.

These two will remain open during their refits. Both are enjoying heavy bookings for the Rugby World Cup which starts in October.

Ouwh!!, a water feature :cool:.

Hilton yesterday

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pfb956089cee235857b1da875365bbfd2/fbe7e005.jpg

Close-up of the lifts running on the side

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/p0c65c5676a413cac6158e21d98d7cf21/fbe7dffb.jpg

Nothing short of a miracle can save this ugly building from salvation. I don't see how a nice glass facade can fix the ugly browned concrete of the whole building. It will still look ugly no matter what. They should have just levelled the damn thing from the start.

looking a sorry siight from THH roof today.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126hiltonnn.jpg


close up of george st podium. not much left.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126hiltonbase.jpg

Looks like a ginormous Playstation 2.

It was looking pretty nasty today (19/06/03)

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~edwin.robertson/mypic20.jpg

from today-roof of st martins

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126hiltonfromrialtojune27.jpg

St Martins Tower makes a very good vantage point to see whats happening on the Hilton site

By the way what has been happening. I'm seeing pictures which are great but would like to know what they are doing exactly.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>St Martins Tower makes a very good vantage point to see whats happening on the Hilton site

By the way what has been happening. I'm seeing pictures which are great but would like to know what they are doing exactly.</td></tr>
</table>
i thought they would self explanatory?
but ill tell you that the podium of hilton is virtually gone.

Culwulla, I was wondering whether there will be office space in the hotel. Museumb said something like 15 000sq/m. Is this true?

Man that podium doesn't instill much confidence structurally speaking. :sly:

Hilton yesterday

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/p5127040b9d6d4248d1f21a6deb6a40a6/fba57181.jpg

Walked past the Hilton today and saw daylight from Pitt St through to George St.

Where there once was a dark and dingy arcade there is now the beginnings of what will become the new porte cochere running from Pitts St to George St at ground level.

The new design which will open up and orientate the interior of the hotel to the streetscape. This will expose the building and the activities inside the hotel to the rest of the city, whereas in the past it was totally closed off.

Regards
RMM

view from THH today! it looks more and more pathetic everyday. hope the reconstruction starts soon.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/07/206893.jpg

Can't wait for the day when one will be able to enter the new hotel from George St, go to the old 'Marble Bar' and order a 'Macallan' or 'Remy Martin', then walk through the magnificent new lobby filled with waterfalls, exit the hotel in Pitt St, enter the funky new arcade under the John Boyd Tower, do some shopping and exit to Castlereagh St!
:D

Virtually nothing has been done on that site for at least two months. I want to see some concrete being poured and some cladding with it too.

Perhaps not true. On Channel Ten's 6.00PM News during the sped up Skywatch-vision during one of the weather reports, you could see the cranes atop the Hilton 'going for it'. This was Monday evening's report.

I'd say plenty is happening, just not so obvious to us. Most probably structural works.

In relation to the ten news skycam, you will be able to see the cranes moving through their paces (at a very fast rate) each weeknight.

I remember seeing Aurora Place rising through the use of the skycam and the cranes were constantly busy.

Don't know if anyone else has noticed it, but it looks like the floor numbers have been spray painted on the George St side of the Hilton.

Those numbers have been there for at least four months. I remember seeing these quite easily when I went up to level 43 for the Sydney meet.

the final new colour is actually looking great!
maybe this will turn out ok.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/08/208629.jpg

It's definately much better than the brown that were used to seeing.

Its an improvent, but to be blatantly honest, i am a bit dissapointed... Why BROWN?? :rant:

What is this new facade anyway? is is paint, or what?

Originally posted by SydneyDude
Its an improvent, but to be blatantly honest, i am a bit dissapointed... Why BROWN?? :rant:

What is this new facade anyway? is is paint, or what?
the colour is a very faint tan colour. yep its painted! the sides will have nice looking panels though!
this will look ok i reckon on completion. an improvment anyway!

The renderings show the Hitlon having gold/cream cladding.

west face today! at 17m wide and 131m tall, the Hilton has a height/width ratio of 7.7 which is same as WT!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/08/208840.jpg

This is the final colour?

Here I was thinking the concrete was being primed for some other finish. Disappointment is a huge understatement

Thats the same question I'm asking. It's supposed to look more gold in nature.

I still think that this tower is shitacular...

Originally posted by pikey
I still think that this tower is shitacular...

Wait til it's done before you make such statements!!!:)

Hilton yesterday

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p0a1830809cf08f2d80eadd944729fb0b/fb58bc63.jpg

Close-up

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p61c005cb9ea4d6c27c5de834db90f3a1/fb58bc66.jpg

I think that this is a HUGE improvement and is quite nice actually. It's understated, mute if you will. It sits in the corner and doesn't get involved. It's nice.

Just nice.

On the other hand, we all know that it's going to be the insides and down at the business end of the tower (ie: Ground level) where all the good stuff will be. Relax. It's going to be BEAUT!

No more car ramps, more glass, glass! Walk-through from Pitt to George Streets!:guns1:

Crane's first Hilton images. Sit back and relax.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p4d9f2c5a3600f276d1a6790f0fb46c2c/fb53ba77.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/pa3d75f13247976c60d1e8a556a53a85e/fb53b961.jpg


Now unrelax.

A very hollow structure I see. It looks kinda freaky.

If ya wanna see "freaky", go to one of the peek-a-boos along George Street. Not for the faint-hearted.

You will be shocked.......you will be amazed!!

BTW The whole structure is starting to look a rather dull pinkish colour. Is this the final caldding??? Surley not!

I was under the impression it was going to be a bronze colour.

The Sydney Hilton will be pitching much of their marketing at corporate functions and conferences. It will have Australia's largest amount of dedicated convention floor space, not inc. dedicated convention/exhibition centres

It's starting to look good, though anything is an improvement on the old building though I was hoping for more gold in the paint color, it doesn't look half bad!!!

I'm gonna have to check it out again in December, but still, this tower doesn't do anything for me I'm afraid

Yes we could have done better here
But till takes all sorts and influances

Seriosly it's amazing how they can smash all those smithereens away and somehow the structure still stands.

It's because the Pillars which support the structure are still there. They must be all be braced.

It's not called skeleton frame for nothing.

view from St martins today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/08/214135.jpg

Have they begun recladding the northern side?

From this view the new makeover hardly seems worth the effort. I thought the whole structure was being made into glass.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/pad3cc5d3256b36df418398d9f315d7e3/fb3d2e87.jpg

Christ, the least they could have done was give the building a freakin' paint job. It still has that hideous ugly brown 'grime-streaked' look. All they're doing is making over the facade with glass, which is fine from the street level.

In regards to its impact on the skyline, there is absolutely no change whatsoever. It should have been levelled long ago. What a wasted opportunity.

A real disappointment:(

the tower is definately better with its new coat of paint, and the podium will be FULL of glass!
should look real impressive! of course the podium hasnt started yet.
pic from THH today

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/09/215769.jpg

How many coats will they paint during the process?

Nice render in today's Aust. Fin. Rev. of the Pitt St podium. Lotsa glass 'n columns.

Originally posted by museumb
Nice render in today's Aust. Fin. Rev. of the Pitt St podium. Lotsa glass 'n columns.
yes, i saw it! how good does it look! they have really paid lots of attention to the ground level. due to how bad and people unfriendly it was for past 30 years! its gonna be great.

The Hilton has already been repainted? I could barely tell the difference. I didn't know that paint came in the color of 'filthy grimy brown'. Must be the new Dulux line.

To all you doomsayers: WAIT. It's not bloody finished yet!

fresh pics...

the new windows are coming along nicely

http://images4.fotki.com/v39/photos/2/22045/307766/171hilton-vi.jpg

http://images4.fotki.com/v39/photos/2/22045/307766/172hilton-vi.jpg

http://images4.fotki.com/v38/photos/2/22045/307766/173hilton-vi.jpg

as for the paint-job, well, I'm just waiting until I see the completed product

Well those windows make it look 10000% better!! !!!!

:guns1: Very happy Jan, this will turn out nicely!

How come the windows are blue? The renders dont suggest this at all.

Originally posted by museumb
Nice render in today's Aust. Fin. Rev. of the Pitt St podium. Lotsa glass 'n columns. Today's edition of the Fin. Rev. = Thursday, 4 Sept., 2003:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379hilton1.jpg

oooh ahhh... everythings peachy :cool: this is a great relief

i took good closeups of the new windows this week but forgot to post them!lol anyway buwarras done a good job. i was very suprised at how good it was looking! the black windows are set a couple of feet away from current windows. so it will make hilton look more fuller.]
fabian- there not blue , there black!
The photo that museumb shows the awesome podium. this will make the whol project look stunning! i didnt think it would be possible!

Thanks for the pics of the new windows Bulwara - the look of them is totally unexpected, and basically just brilliant! :D

And thanks for scanning in that rendering muse! It is hard to believe the absolute and total improvement in the Pitt St facade (if you recall the car ramps)!

Some classy changes coming Hilton's way! :okay:

"Unexpected" and "brilliant" are exactly the words I was going to use to describe this! It's nothing we haven't already thought and posted about, but I don't think anyone here expected this to happen!! They are certainly moving fast on applying the glass to the old facade. I hadn't noticed anything on Wednesday when I was last in the city. Assuming the walls have been prepared, they could possibly clad the building in only 2 or 3 weeks!

Who knew our old dull poo brown Hilton would be a sexy, glassy little number.

Cheers to this well kept secret! :cheers:

The foyer on Pitt St is World Class:) and will enliven that part of Pitt St significantly.

Yeah this will be an awesome makeover... pity we cant do this with some of the modernist structures around. I am really excited my all this glass... but it does appear to be a little light with the tinting.

close up of northern facade.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126hiltonclosesep154.jpg

It's starting to look like the real thing now. Thats sweet.

Wish they'd demolish and built higheR! :D

Originally posted by Blabbyboy
Wish they'd demolish and built higheR! :D

In earlier proposals, they were going to add another three floors but that fell through unfortuantely

But trust me, it will look more like a new tower when it's done up.

Originally posted by Blabbyboy
Wish they'd demolish and built higheR! :D

Yeah, sometimes I think its a bit like whipping a dead horse...but at least it will be like whipping a slightly more attractive dead horse in the end! ;)

I reserve all judgement on the tower exterior till completion, although I have much more postive feelings towards the street frontages and podium, which will be an exponential improvement on the previous structure! :)

Originally posted by Fabian
In earlier proposals, they were going to add another three floors but that fell through unfortuantely

But trust me, it will look more like a new tower when it's done up.

Did those plans really fall through? This is from today's SMH:

The only other cranes on the horizon are those working on the Hilton Hotel Sydney refurbishment between George and Pitt streets.

More activity is on the way, however - Hilton is soon to release details of an office tower to be built above the hotel.

The reporter just got confused.

saw it today, looks great. shiny bronze is being attatched to the brown vertical lines that run up the building, should look quite grand. lol look how much we have changed our tune in the last few weeks - its all goood!

I was right about the tower being painted in coats.

pic from today. looking fab. if you look half way up tower to the right you can see a patch of new glass. looks very subtle in the pic.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/09/219474.jpg

The changes are becoming more ovious. The paintwork actually blends in quite well with the base of Citigroup tower.

Workers have walked off the job!!!

They have walked off due to their concerns about air borne particles of abestos which they say will affect their health as well as the health of those walking around surrounding streets. They had a picket line on the Pitt St side of the tower. Leightons assure the workers there is no health risk.

Here's an article about their strike

FromThe Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au)

Workers to vote on site

September 24, 2003

Hilton Hotel refurbishment workers will today decide whether to return to work on the city project after officials yesterday declared 23 floors unsafe due to asbestos and other hazards.

The workers walked out and protested at the site on Monday after WorkCover inspectors found seven floors contained asbestos, airborne synthetic mineral fibres, unsafe scaffolding and cracked slabs.

Yesterday a further WorkCover inspection, ordered by the Industrial Relations Commission, found problems on most of the rest of the site, telling the commission just 25 per cent of the building was safe to work in.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union officials will today ask the workers, employed by Leighton Contractors, to decide whether to return to the job.

"We'll ask them to vote on whether to go to work on the floors that have not been shut down by WorkCover, on the condition that a comprehensive safety inspection of the site be done at the same time," the union's Brian Parker said.

Leighton was unavailable for comment.

2day.

https://www.emporis.com/files_transfer/6/2003/10/222310.jpg

Hilton from street level today

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid83/pce12066ee86e06110d36653854c7c0cd/fadf9c5b.jpg

A bit of glass here, a bit of glass there

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid83/p3df397192d9ff5a90d67048e6a202f94/fadf9c59.jpg

2days pic

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/10/223416.jpg

They have finally started putting glass on the southern side.

A new billboard on the George Street side hording states "Opening 2004", so they're just gunna throw the bases up ala World Square!! Also has pics of a couple more of the fembots.

It also has the web-site address @ http://www.hilton.com and the only render I could find on the site was this one (We have seen it before but I think it is a larger version):

http://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/SYDHITW/media/images/SYDHITW_home_large.jpg

Ultra modern there
Still long was off

www.hiltonsydney.com.au

very interestng!

everyone ready for the eye candy?

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel02.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel01.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel03.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel04.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel05.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel06.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel07.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel08.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel10.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel11.jpg

http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/picsbiggest/hotel12.jpg


bloody impressive ay!

I like the openess of the foyer which I believe will become the best foyer in any Sydney Hotel.

The foyer, the green furry carpet on the wall and our beloved fembots. Hooray!!

There are some more great renders @ flash web site: http://www.hiltonofficetower.com.au/

Can anyone paste them?

Pitt Street best face by Far love in teh renderd