Not sure if it's too early to start an official thread or whether this belongs under proposed but... walking through the CBD today it was good to see ALL of the shops in Village Cinemas closed and TimeZone moving all of the games out this morning.

Hoarding has already been erected on the back so demolition should start any second now!

Thanks for the news reidmjohn! :D

It sounds like the buildings will start deolition in the next few weeks, if not sooner! Meriton is certainly not a developer to rest on their laurels and drag things out! :)

With the tenants moving out, there will be no income for the vacant buildings - and I'm sure Meriton doesn't like to have a non-profit turning property around, so it sounds good!

I wonder what will happen to Timezone...most Aussie cities have one of those trashy things in their entertainment precinct, so it will probably pop up somewhere else along George St. ;)

A couple of the poor stall-keepers only new they had to move "soon" like if not 2 weeks ago.

Oh how i'll miss the kids in the front of Timezone on the dance machine, trying to keep up step with the lights. It always made me smile and sometimes laugh too.

Does this mean that Roma House..........? Still not 100% clear. I think it's a "gawna".

Good ridance to the Village Cinema Centre as a non-operational cinema centre :) !! How i remember seeing so many movies there; the cinema interiors were really great, surprisingly tasteful 70s designs (touched-up in the 80s). Unlike the often seen bland exterior although the Village neon was good when working properly.

Obviously, we won't see a construction crane on the site for a "wittle". Preliminaries, demolition, foundation work, underground carparks..........

yEP! the CC or construction certificate was lodged this morning at council!!! so its yet another one uc in Sydneys southern sector! i quess ill go and spray the model RED!!!!
cheers :D

Great news that this one's going ahead without a fuss. I wonder when they will start marketing??

Does anyone know how deep they are going with the excavation. I'm guessing it'll be 6 months before we see a crane on that site, because undoubtedly they'll put 10 levels of parking underground.

heres a pis of the model . just to familiarize everyone with the tower!! courtesy of FINN!!

stats-
number of floors-46
height to roof-151.5m
height to structural top-169m
architect-H Seidler
developer-MERITON


http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au/~afindlay/village01.jpg


http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au/~afindlay/village02.jpg

Thanks reidmjohn for getting the ball rolling on this great new tower.. I'm still undecided about this new Harry design. It's the balconies I think... "haphazard" come to mind. But anyway, it's more than welcome! let's hope 101 bathurst comes along and then hopefully a tower over the Great union cinemas smack in the middle! Here's hoping.

is there a retail podium at the bottom ?
is all these new towers killing of the entertainment area ? or making it better ?

http://users.bigpond.net.au/rondeez/village01.jpg

:D :D :D :D :D

sorry i was bored... but i wanted to experiment with colours. not a very realistic attempt but u get the main gist.

i wonder what it would be like if harry did start using different colours besides ... WHITE, which isnt even a colour hehee.

Arggggh, a whole tower of Timezone. Hmmmmm, actually, not so bad, "Timezone Tower". Now, that is really "pretty" rondeez. I'm sure H***y wouldn't approve.

I'm sure the entertainment strip won't be broken up. It will return in some form or another (probably with more stores :( ) for the length of the site fronting George Street and hopefully through to Kent Street..

I don't mind this tower. I like the smooth sides punctuated by balconies, its clean lines and its slenderness. It looks taller than 151.5m to the roof !

It will act as a good 'foil' for the darker coloured World Tower and Latitude. If this tower was a 'dark glass' design as well then it would have been rather overpowering, particularly in the view from the inner west.
I am still reserving my decision on the top 17.5m though....( the fin ) but, all in all, I'm delighted with the progress.

Originally posted by fro
Thanks reidmjohn for getting the ball rolling on this great new tower.. I'm still undecided about this new Harry design. It's the balconies I think... "haphazard" come to mind. But anyway, it's more than welcome! let's hope 101 bathurst comes along and then hopefully a tower over the Great union cinemas smack in the middle! Here's hoping.

Haphazard is a good word for the balconies of the tower...and its all fine by me because I think that somewhat-random pattern looks great! :) Kinda like the almost random pattern of balconies across World Tower's facade.

Well, now Village can join the ranks of Metcentre (former Westpac Plaza), DP1 and DP2 as some of Sydney's rare triangular towers! ;) Are there any more besides those few?

NRMA House. V-shaped; Zenith Centre A + B

rondeez's colour job accentuates the balconies concentrating on the smoother parts of the ediface's surface. Good to study the form of the tower with its jutting balconies; it wasn't just "being pretty" after all....

Originally posted by chrisaus
is there a retail podium at the bottom ?
is all these new towers killing of the entertainment area ? or making it better ?

Good point. Let's hope George st is still a st for the people and not a residential strip. Who knows... the residents might start comlpaing about the noise from the cinemas, or the loud teenagers standing outside them on a Friday night.

It's the toaster vs. The opera house all over again...:rant:

Originally posted by fro


Good point. Let's hope George st is still a st for the people and not a residential strip. Who knows... the residents might start comlpaing about the noise from the cinemas, or the loud teenagers standing outside them on a Friday night.

It's the toaster vs. The opera house all over again...:rant:

I doubt it. I think geoprge st will become a "lifestyle strip" more than anything else... People will move there BECAUSE it's close to everything...

Whereas, those who moved into the "toaster" were just interested in the views...

Originally posted by museumb
Arggggh, a whole tower of Timezone. Hmmmmm, actually, not so bad, "Timezone Tower". Now, that is really "pretty" rondeez. I'm sure H***y wouldn't approve.

I'm sure the entertainment strip won't be broken up. It will return in some form or another (probably with more stores :( ) for the length of the site fronting George Street and hopefully through to Kent Street..

Agree with this one. Timezone might be able to buy a number of the commercial suites and re-establish the store when complete. Lets hope some good business fill the remaining suites, not those cheap $2 dollar shops.

Originally posted by jcocks


I doubt it. I think geoprge st will become a "lifestyle strip" more than anything else... People will move there BECAUSE it's close to everything...

Whereas, those who moved into the "toaster" were just interested in the views...

I like the idea of a lifestyle strip... slowly the coporate heart of the city is softening. I wonder what kind of people will be living in the 'village'? DINKS? Empty nesters? International students with v. rich parents?

Quick update - all stores have been completed cleared out (the last of the timezone games were removed yesterday) and while walking by today there were men reviewing plans for the George Street hoarding so I assume that will begin this weekend.

the entertiainment strip looks DEAD
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid39/p02bab67b2930357887a29df362d93a99/fd04ca64.jpg.orig.jpg

And its like that every night Chrisaus and the same people are always standing still

Personally, I think the area is pretty lively all nights of the week. There will always be people hanging out there.

Hope that Village, 101 Bathurst as well as the projects at World Square will make the area more appealing and provide a bit of diversity as to what people can do in the area.

Originally posted by Fabian
Personally, I think the area is pretty lively all nights of the week. There will always be people hanging out there.

Hope that Village, 101 Bathurst as well as the projects at World Square will make the area more appealing and provide a bit of diversity as to what people can do in the area.

Yeah, but the thing about that George St strip is that it is only the "entertainment strip" till the cinemas close!

Then other areas take over like Oxford St and Kings Cross with the nightclubs.

I am also interested to see how the area will function when all these new developments are finished, and what the changes will be.

I think there will be MAJOR retail boom in the area after the completion of WT, Latitude especially and village and 101. I think the office workers will cause a huge demand for cafes, restaurants and residents from the major developments will also fuel the demand for higher qulaity food outlets and perhaps even nightclubs which aren't numerous in that section of the city. I can only see the entertainment options of the area being boosted... time will tell.

Fro, you are probably right on a possible retail boom.

As a former office worker in that part of town (used to work across from the new 'Village' tower in Kent Street), it was a pain going to the retail heart of the CBD in the Pitt Street Mall.

From that location it would take 15 minutes to walk thru the various underground arcades until you got there. In that part of town there is very little retail-wise. Haymarket was something but it was pretty shit. Therefore if you had an hour lunch it wasn't worth walking to Pitt Street Mall. By the time you got there it was time to walk back.

World Square is supposed to have a large retail area, so hopefully some really good shopping will appear in that part of town, not just for workers but for also the new residents.

Does anyone know anything about the retail planned for World Square. I think that with WT, Latitude, East (and the Existing Avillion Tower Retail area) there is supposed to be a vast multi level retail complex beneath the 4 towers ????????

Originally posted by SinCity
Fro, you are probably right on a possible retail boom.

As a former office worker in that part of town (used to work across from the new 'Village' tower in Kent Street), it was a pain going to the retail heart of the CBD in the Pitt Street Mall.

From that location it would take 15 minutes to walk thru the various underground arcades until you got there. In that part of town there is very little retail-wise. Haymarket was something but it was pretty shit. Therefore if you had an hour lunch it wasn't worth walking to Pitt Street Mall. By the time you got there it was time to walk back.

World Square is supposed to have a large retail area, so hopefully some really good shopping will appear in that part of town, not just for workers but for also the new residents.

Does anyone know anything about the retail planned for World Square. I think that with WT, Latitude, East (and the Existing Avillion Tower Retail area) there is supposed to be a vast multi level retail complex beneath the 4 towers ????????

I have heard that World Square retail will be largely for the residents, more so than tourists - considering the number of apartment towers around that area.

Apparently there will be another CBD supermarket of some sort, and undoubtedly some cafes/restaurants/food court in the main open air plaza. I guess the rest of the retail will be a variet of specialty shops, but probably not a whole lot of fashion - Pitt St Mall, Castlereagh St and Martin Place kinda dominate that.

Here's the retail pic anyway:

http://www.meriton.com.au:16080/wtw/images/piazza.gif

Who deleted my pic?

http://home.iprimus.com.au/allicit/images/seidler.04.jpg

What's needed is more than some blue glass to fix this concrete bunker of a building.

Update - The awning has been removed from both the cinemas and the timezone building to make way for the George St hoarding (which is now half complete).

Originally posted by reidmjohn
Update - The awning has been removed from both the cinemas and the timezone building to make way for the George St hoarding (which is now half complete).

So I assume the Timezone is closed? What about the 3 monkeys pub on the corner there? Still open?

3 Monkeys is still there- it is some way away from the Village site.

More hoardings = good news!

Are any of the George St retail stores on the site still open?

No, all of the shops are now closed!

Thanks for those details Spaz.

Might get a photo of those hoardings if I get the digital camera this weekend for everyone to see.

May that beautiful Roma House Rest in Peace (the one where Timezone was located). The hoardings have stretced past Village and onto the front of the whole of Roma House.

Yet another beautiful historic Sydney building to bite the dust. :no:

Originally posted by museumb
May that beautiful Roma House Rest in Peace (the one where Timezone was located). The hoardings have stretced past Village and onto the front of the whole of Roma House.

Yet another beautiful historic Sydney building to bite the dust. :no:

@muse - do you know any of its history? Just curious as to when it was built, what is was built for (i.e. a specific company?) and what the name "Roma House" was for.

There is one more historic building next to Roma House that fronts Albion Place, isn't there? Just nice to know the Village tower won't be able to encroach on that cool little laneway!

First Construction photos. Taken from George Street. Shows the hoardings being assembled.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p565fc824b5310a47cf166d478dcd1be0/fcfdbb18.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pcf05e07d507b9c94341aa7a2a44b56c3/fcfdbb64.jpg

Excellent, excellent....excellent!!! (did I say that enough? ;)

I've been really hanging out to see the George St hoarding, and see a picture of the one other remaining historic building, which can act as a buffer zone between the Village site and Albion Place!

It's a shame about a nice building like Roma House going, but I won't shed any tears seeing the Village Cinemas come down! ;)

What do you reckon will happen to the street trees, poking through the hoarding supports? Hopefully they will be retained, because they've only had a couple of years since they were planted, and they're starting to look very nice!

Yesterday while walking down Kent Street, i noticed the hoardings are coming along quite nicely. Lots of progression there :) .

On the George St side of the Village Tower site, the Village neons are being dismantled very quickly.

This V logo has already disappered from the facade of the old Village Cinema Centre in George Stret, amomgst the hoardings on that side to:

................................http://www.latrobe.edu.au/union/assets/village_logo.gif

well heres a scoop! the colours of the village tower came in today on sample boards. The main part of the bldg will be a nice grey /green granite. there are beige granite trimmings with glass balconies.the windows will be tinted a dark grey. looks quite nice really!:)

So the cladding will be similar to that of Cove?

lurve to see a pic Culwulla.......nudge nudge...... ;)

Originally posted by CULWULLA
well heres a scoop! the colours of the village tower came in today on sample boards. The main part of the bldg will be a nice grey /green granite. there are beige granite trimmings with glass balconies.the windows will be tinted a dark grey. looks quite nice really!:)

Sounds intriguing! ;)

So, is the grey/green granite of the main part of the building strong enough in colour that we'll be able to say that there's another tower (other than Cove) that departs from Seidlers love of white? ;)

So let me get this right... Melbourne and the Gold coast get semi-mirrored Eureka and Q1 and what do we get??????

A Seilder abomination in feral greeny-beige crap and boring grey windows. Green is grose at the best of times but with grey and beige it will look like an avocado gone wrong!

There is no God!

Well apparently H***y thinks he is G.O.D. (Gross Over Development).

it looks quite nice actually!
also, just a thought, i was up atop Waldorf yesterday and this will be a great vantage point next year to watch Village tw GROW!!!
cant wait!!!
cheers:D

I agree with that. It will be great to follow it's construction from there. The bad thing about Village is that it will block the view of George St up north towards the northern end of the CBD.

Avocado

http://www.getyoure.org/images/avocado.jpg

Is the avocado supposed to represent Village Tower's colour scheme :) ?

Walked by the George Street side of the site yesterday and the hordings now stretch all the way along Roma House's frontage. It is also boarded up and has been abandoned completely.

Roma House.......Rest In Peace. Such a bloody shame it is going. Truly!

C'mon guys... let's wait until we see a render or pic of this 'new' colour scheme...
It sounds interesting and is a welcome change from Siedler's white love.

Went past the site today. Sacffholding has began appearing on the tower's due to be demolished

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/pa0db4d793fd547e11d4ac6143998fe9f/fcc5d0a6.jpg

Went past the site today and the scaffholding has covered the building's being demolished on the George St side

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid49/pd4fcdf772093bb1e7a9450ddfb80fbdb/fcb5ab23.jpg

I don't think this building will go ahead. I mean it's at least 6 months until they finish digging the foundations by which time the property market will be totally dead and marketing will be difficult.

This will become another 101 Bathurst Street, I feel.>(

The tower will be completed. Sales of the apartments won't begin for sometime. We should see apartments being released for sale next year. We won't know if it is successful or not by then.

The market has only stablised. Yes there are some problems with apartments in regards to oversupply so there is no need to hit the panic button yet.

Goodbye Roma House Goodbye :hi:

Yes, unfortunately, goodbye Roma House :( .......grrrrrrr. It's an architectural "crime".

Small pic of Village Tower's model:

_____________http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/5/2002/11/170660.jpg

It seems Harry doesn't care about old building's and their significance and heritage and will do anything to get them pulled down. He even wanted the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) pulled down back in 1971because of the state of the building at the time.

harry is so arrogant! go back to vienna! :bleep:

I tend to agree with the man when it comes to pulling down so-called "heritage" buildings. It seems anything over 30 years old in Sydney is viewed by the heriatge council as being of significant heritage value. Which is complete and utter bullshit.

Besides, it reduces the number of potential development sites in our already site-starved CBD.

heres a pic i took yesterday! the rear -kent st elevation being demolished.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/181666.jpg

i know why harry hates heritage buildings...cos their not white! lol


this'll be a nice addition, i mean its officialy 170m isnt it?

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>i know why harry hates heritage buildings...cos their not white! lol


this'll be a nice addition, i mean its officialy 170m isnt it?</td></tr>
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169m or 555ft to tip sky ramp! :D

view from nearby Waldorf apst. this will be a great vantage point in a years time when its 50 storeys of harrys concrete!!
http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182275.jpg

I don't know alot about Roma house, anyone got a pic ?
It's not the building right next to the Three Wise Monkeys pub is it ?
I cannot see anything of significance along that George St stip.....maybe I'm missing something.

Nice pic... does this mean it is RISING??????

Also.. are there any plans to demolish the hideous KENT HOUSE?

Spaz-the Roma House is the taller bldg being demoilshed. It has a great sandstone facade.earlier village proposals had the facade incorporated in design, but harry said f..that!
Rondeez-the Kent st House built in 1917 is heritage listed1 its staying put!

Good photo.

Shows very well how demolition is progressing.

I also think it's a great spot to view it's progress, especially at the early stages of development.

progress from today! there really ripping into the bldgs now!


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p65f60195039a0725513c8d4d90a4f677/fc9803fa.jpg

Looks as if a floor or two has been demolished.

Talking of demolishments, yesterday I noticed that the 70s Village Cinema City is well on the way in regard to this. It loked as if the equivalent of about 2 floors have already gone. No great loss in regard to its exterior....although the cinemas themselves had great designs...even though they were also 70s designed interiors.

A small render below of Village Tower....however a quote from CULWULLA on page 2 of this thread:
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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by CULWULLA </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>The colours of the Village Tower came in today on sample boards. The main part of the bldg will be a nice grey /green granite. there are beige granite trimmings with glass balconies.the windows will be tinted a dark grey. looks quite nice really!:)</td></tr>
</table>
________http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/5/2002/11/170660.jpg

.....and for spazspecker's request to see a pic of Roma House. pic taken by Fabian. I hope this is sufficient:

____http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/pa0db4d793fd547e11d4ac6143998fe9f/fcc5d0a6.jpg

Roma House is the white building with the billboard?

Too true Fabian ... re Roma House.

Thanks mboy. I have never really ever noticed Roma House before.....

Lots happening today at village site! demolishment is now down to street level in rear section.

shot of workers on Village site with WT rising in background!


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/p32e1c225d60097a920abca4c3f28595a/fc82f110.jpg

view of inside Roma House. Note the brick chimney rsing in background. that belongs to the Albion lane heritage bldgs. the 55ft/17m stack is one of Sydney's oldest built in 1878. It will be restored and in full view for the first time from future eatery at interal courtyard!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/p6817a71de63fd57feae6e87ba6df0ce0/fc82f112.jpg

this pic shows the progress with a view into George st now!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/p4405fe3732bd244a3241d661018ea2db/fc82f111.jpg

That man doesn't look impressed by you taking the photo's. Thats how they feel up at 126 Phillip St (well some of them).

Pleased to hear that the demolition is at street level or just about.

<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>That man doesn't look impressed by you taking the photo's. Thats how they feel up at 126 Phillip St (well some of them).

Pleased to hear that the demolition is at street level or just about.</td></tr>
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lol, i sorted him out! its amazing how when you say the magic word "city council" he becomes more friendly! hehe. We chatted for 5mins about its demolishment. he said the site should be level in 1-2 weeks!then digging starts!

Here is how demolition on the George St side is progressing. Most of the cinema has been pulled down

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid55/p06facba02f12f6e61acadfbe9a488ae0/fc7cc7c5.jpg

Anyone got a colour rendering of this tower?

Is Harry just running out of ideas?

I just can't help being reminded of Vienna's Donau Housing Estate tower when I look at these renderings of the Village tower

See for yourself, this pic I took when in Vienna last year

http://images2.fotki.com/v18/photos/2/22045/211316/03-or.jpg

Thats a good picture showing what to expect when the tower is built.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Bulwara </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Is Harry just running out of ideas?

I just can't help being reminded of Vienna's Donau Housing Estate tower when I look at these renderings of the Village tower

See for yourself, this pic I took when in Vienna last year

http://images2.fotki.com/v18/photos/2/22045/211316/03-or.jpg</td></tr>
</table>

I have a sneaking suspicion that you may be right. The man has only one style. You can spot a Seidler from a mile away.

Just quietly, I'm thinking that HS may have a kick-back arrangement with the concrete industry.

Does it mattter if someone has only one style? I suppose it does it it is a crap style, but I don't want to take sides on the Seidler war here.

But I do think that that obsessing about requiring an architect to have varied styles is a big mistake. If one thinks about the great architectural styles of the past, the great practitioners typically just worked in one style, and that produced the unifomrm stylistic features of the worlds best streetscapes.

Having an architect perfect a style and then work in it proiduces honed, perfected plans. An expectation of change for changes sake makes them throw out the old and bring in the new - often just when the are doing there best work.

After all the next generation will work in a new style for sure. But one of the wierd things about the last century was that there was big sytlistic change every 10 years in the second half: 50s 60s 70s and 80s all very different. Historically that's unusual. And I wonder if it part of why, along with a few materpeices, so much fugliness was produced in those times?

DBM, that's very diplomatic of you. And you're absolutely correct. I may knock Mr Seidler now and again but I don't totally disapprove of his work. I guess it seems a little repititious in this country. I'm wondering if the average Joe would also notice the similarities in certain buildings in our cities as we do?

Perhaps not



Seidler skyscrapers I like:

Horizon,

Cove,

um ... gone blank ... bugger

.... Village, maybe, perhaps, when it's done



I've gone totally blank, all the wine I've had isn't helping either

Must get back to this one!

Well, the name of village tower is official its-MERITON TOWER!!! The planner informed me this morning! lol
so no more referring it to Village tower!!
:bash:lol
its across the road from there first city project- " The Meriton"
thats not to confusing is it??

Hear Hear, Meriton Tower it is!

Can I just go on the record and say that is the CRAPPEST name! Meriton Tower... pffffffttt... what a let down. Village Tower was so much nicer, but maybe Village Roadshow didn't like that.

Harry's Prick would have been better.:rant:

;) Maybe something a little more exotique, like....ummmm....MERITONIA!! ;)

I don't give a rats arse what its called, just so long as it hits 158m above street level......

Village apparently gave it too much of a "village "atmosphere feel. They wanted a real catchy name, thus meriton. It will also be there new HQ! (but i thought it was going to be lobana?).

Lobana is what they said a few times, but maybe a decision change.

New demolition picture. I think the whole cinema has now been pulled down

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid57/p4bbd55af78d1ada402907523bddebea2/fc6e0e1b.jpg

The cinema carpark will be a prime position to take piccies of this one as she rises. Other than the balcony positions it will look quite good. I think they should bury the architect in the foundations then we will have Sydney's first haunted tower.

Culwulla (the moderator) has taken a fair number of snaps of the demolition and World Tower from there. I agree that it is a great vantage point.

the site is nearly cleared! excavation should follow soon after.also a pic from 2months ago to the day!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/187494.jpghttp://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/181666.jpg

I think we can forget photographing from there for some time. We can barely see anything.

<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>I think we can forget photographing from there for some time. We can barely see anything.</td></tr>
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thats why i took the pic, as you can see alot of the demolition to the west face. cant you see the dif in the 2 pix?
i shall keep taking pix every month from this rooftop.

I can make out the differences!

But what I'm trying to say is that you won't be seeing much from the carpark for a while while excvation and the basement floors are poured.

Walked passed the George street side of this site today and Meriton have put up their advertising signs all in blue. This one isn't all that far behind 126 Phillip Street and will probably overtake it soon.

Meriton Tower sounds better than village anyway. Sydney isn't exactly a village is it. More a compact wonder of the world.

But I liked "Village Tower"... mainly because i loved the old Village cinemas that were on the site prior to this development. "Meriton Tower" just doesn't make any sense... if any tower should symbolise Meriton's absolute dominance in that part of town and their strong position in the Sydney residential tower scene, World Tower should have been named "Meriton Tower"... makes far more sense.

Stupid marketting people!:rant:

It's gonna want to look good when complete otherwise people will think that Meriton are crap. They should of called it Hoyts Tower.

Ewwwww. Hoyts Tower! Just reminds us of Intensity game centres, mass-popped popcorn and dorky movies :|

As noted before on the forum, Meriton seem to be lifting their game (on their CBD towers at least), including W.T. & Lobana.

Anyone know of recent renders of Meriton Tower? Still nothing entered on the seidler.net.au site.:

<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>Ewwwww. Hoyts Tower! Just reminds us of Intensity game centres, mass-popped popcorn and dorky movies :|

As noted before on the forum, Meriton seem to be lifting their game (on their CBD towers at least), including W.T. & Lobana.

Anyone know of recent renders of Meriton Tower? Still nothing entered on the seidler.net.au site.:</td></tr>
</table>
ill see if i can find some?

The name Meriton has by dint of people's experience, become synonymous with shonky and cheap so the choice of Meriton Tower is not going to gain any brownie points for the building in the minds of many.
Hoyts is an unfortunate word and should be avoided by People of Refinement. Kids pronounce it with graphic emphasis to sound like hoiking up phlegm.
Village was fine with me b/c of the "historical" association with the cinemas.
Whoever suggested Meriton was, I suspect, indulging in the fine art of pocket pissing.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by brizer </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Whoever suggested Meriton was, I suspect, indulging in the fine art of pocket pissing.</td></tr>
</table>

Indeed!

Having won a couple of competitions for naming developments myself, I can say that the use of the word "Village" (in one form or another), would have been a great marketing tactic, as well as referring to the historical use of the site (in recent times anyway).

Calling a big city tower "The Village" (or something similar) implies everything one needs in their life (i.e. good retail provision, place to live, the facilities and amenities of the tower, i.e. gym, pool etc.,) is close at hand, and also takes a cool play on the images evoked of the mention of the word (i.e. close-knit community environment, small town etc.) yet presenting these things as a big city high-rise! Using the word village in this way gives the name a very trendy feel.

Might use it myself sometime in the future! ;)

well i scored a nice render with latest colours. Its an off white colour basically. The pic is viewed from cnr Liverpool/George st. I cant upload photos anymore from my work computer since ss.com has new configuration.:bleep: its fast speed cable and cant handle it? but my home PC can do it no problemo! anyway ill post it tonight!
:)

As always you can't judge a building by it's name just so long as it's a big bicky, which it will be. Does anyone like the name Concrete Tower:bleep:

Its an ugly tower with a fittingly ugly name.

Meriton Tower is really not so bad. All they have to do is put every balcony 1 on top of the other so it looks nice and clean.

well here it is! i quite like it. the colour is actually more of a very very lite greenybeige. it should look shmick! the podium has sandstones & greys along with aluminium lourves and white marbles etc.
The George street strip will look cool with this 500footer + 101 Bathurst just 200m further north!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/188073.jpg

I kept scrolling and liking it more and more. The tower is quite stunning in my view. It doesn't seem as messy as I thought it would from the (wonderfully constructed) model.

Then I hit the base which has no redeeming feature at all! It looks like a 70's/80's suburban office bunker. Reminds me of the blandness of the base of the über tacky Piccadily Centre on Pitt Street. I prefer the rendering with the curved walls.

But the tower part.....Love it! :okay:

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Tony P </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I kept scrolling and liking it more and more. The tower is quite stunning in my view. It doesn't seem as messy as I thought it would from the (wonderfully constructed) model.

Then I hit the base which has no redeeming feature at all! It looks like a 70's/80's suburban office bunker. Reminds me of the blandness of the base of the über tacky Piccadily Centre on Pitt Street. I prefer the rendering with the curved walls.

But the tower part.....Love it! :okay:</td></tr>
</table>

Yes, the base is what happens when Seidler is forced to conform to the standards of the streetscape (i.e. height, scale etc.) - he draws a blank in terms of any creativity! ;) It's like they showed him some rough building envelopes to stay within for the base, and he took them literally!

The tower looks :okay: though! :)

The council wernt happy with the podium , so its being redun! this pic is with old podium, its changed slightly which is more people friendly. ill see if i can find a pic of latest podium.

Oh good. Shows the advocado colouring ;) ... and yeah, that base has got to go!

Ahhh. very good news about the podium design change.

One other point. Is there a reason they left off the curved fin on the roof?

Looks very strange from that angle with the balconies sticking out. Seidler could of done a better job on them making them curvy like his other towers when he stuck them out.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Tony P </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Ahhh. very good news about the podium design change.

One other point. Is there a reason they left off the curved fin on the roof?</td></tr>
</table>

maybe its not visible from this angle.

i like the tower... u know for some reason the balconies remind me of world towers' ones.

the base in that render is HORRIBLE though and looks like it came straight out of the 70's!

The worst thing about the base is the sloped glass awning in the middle. It looks like the entrance to a tacy 1980s small town shopping centre....

Tower seems OK..

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Tony P </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Ahhh. very good news about the podium design change.

One other point. Is there a reason they left off the curved fin on the roof?</td></tr>
</table>
its still there! but not seen from this angle. ive got another one viewed from top og George st looking south and the concrete scoop is very dominating! like fingr pointing to the heavens.
;)

tasty! Props to Cul for geting the render for all of us shlobs to see! wooooo! look how it will dominate the sky! Wonderful!
Bring it on!:guns1:

The tower looks great, but I agree with everyone else, that base is just too plain ugly and will spoil the tower at street level.

The random layout of the balconies actually gives it quite an edge in terms of aesthetics. I like it! I think it looks a lot better than it would had the balconies and facade been uniform, top to bottom.

Also, it kinda resembles Prima in Melbourne?

I didn't notice the podium at first I thought it must have been part of another building, looks like the daggy 80's Centrepoint Mall on Bourke Street.

I think it's very typical (boring) Seidler tower with some protuding balconies. The balconies actually look like a bit of a rip off of World Towers but nowhere near as good :-) A big step backwards from Cove (which I think is seidlers best tower since Capita Centre) in my opinion :-)

The podium doesn't blend in with the rest of the structure and looks more like a suburban office complex. I'm glad that the podium is being amended and hopefully will blend in more with the rest of the structure.

It's okay. Be nice if there was a bit more grey ( or a darker colour) mixed in with the white to give it a more modern contemporary look.
Be nice to see it from the western and northern perspectives.......thanks in advance Cul !

Love that pic Culwulla the building looks way way better than I thought. It resembles a warped Cove. Awesome pic and another big building heading skywards, yipppeeee.

That looks really nice actually. I can't wait to see a render that shows the blade as well.

Dare I say... Seidler's work is starting to grow on me!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by CULWULLA </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>well here it is! i quite like it. the colour is actually more of a very very lite greenybeige. it should look shmick! the podium has sandstones & greys along with aluminium lourves and white marbles etc.
The George street strip will look cool with this 500footer + 101 Bathurst just 200m further north!
</table>

Hey Cul, can there ever be a tower built on the Greater union cinema complex? I recall a few weeks ago you displayed some pics from the early 1990s and it showed a proposal for the greater union cinema complex. Could that tower be built today, if funded?

great rendering! exceept the bbase :( glad its getting redone!

the render makes it look massivly over powering...and i like it!

Now that's a nice rendering. It look so much nicer from this angle, and the protruding balconies look fine and will complement the ones on WT nearby perfectly. I must agree with Spaz, it does need more dark colour (such as the bold colouring on Observatory tower) and perhaps more glass cladding.

<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>Now that's a nice rendering. It look so much nicer from this angle, and the protruding balconies look fine and will complement the ones on WT nearby perfectly. I must agree with Spaz, it does need more dark colour (such as the bold colouring on Observatory tower) and perhaps more glass cladding.</td></tr>
</table>

Well, if they do the band windows in a dark black tint (like they have done at Cove), it should provide a bit more contrast at least.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by climbing_crane </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Walked passed the George street side of this site today and Meriton have put up their advertising signs all in blue.</td></tr>
</table>
Yeah, saw that yesterday. I was hoping there would be a nifty rendering on the hoardings by now ..... fat chance! More happy people smiling and shopping as advertising instead.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by fro </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by CULWULLA </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>well here it is! i quite like it. the colour is actually more of a very very lite greenybeige. it should look shmick! the podium has sandstones & greys along with aluminium lourves and white marbles etc.
The George street strip will look cool with this 500footer + 101 Bathurst just 200m further north!
</table>

Hey Cul, can there ever be a tower built on the Greater union cinema complex? I recall a few weeks ago you displayed some pics from the early 1990s and it showed a proposal for the greater union cinema complex. Could that tower be built today, if funded?</td></tr>
</table>
Do you mean Hoyts complx? this is the Greater Union site! No doubt in a few years a tower will be built atop of hoyts. Its allowed to go to 150m. i do hope they keep at leat 12 cinemas at its base, just to keep some movie magic along that part of Sydney.

Oops! I meant the Hoyts site... Thanks for the reply Cul. So imagine along that stretch of road we'll have Foster's 101, the chance of a 150m tower and Seidler's Meriton Tower! Hmmm, the possibilities of it all!

Hey muse, about the hoardings, it seems developers only focus on a few features of their developments that are unique. I think in Meriton Tower's case it'll be the top with the fin... They really seem to put the whole tower on display on the hoardings. Shame that.

Does anyone know how deep the excavations will be? I hope it will be as deep as Lobana's i-e-10 levels underground. I bet Culwulla will know.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by climbing_crane </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Does anyone know how deep the excavations will be? I hope it will be as deep as Lobana's i-e-10 levels underground. I bet Culwulla will know.</td></tr>
</table>
i think its about 5 levels deep? ill check plans in 2 weeks when i get back to work.
pic from today.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/189605.jpg

Yes, the hoardings are now up

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p1c2b4e001feed3d04619914e37b4ff65/fc530b96.jpg

Latest demolition snap

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p411808c8bb231a85cf9f9fbec44d782b/fc530b6f.jpg

<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>Yes, the hoardings are now up

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p1c2b4e001feed3d04619914e37b4ff65/fc530b96.jpg

Latest demolition snap

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p411808c8bb231a85cf9f9fbec44d782b/fc530b6f.jpg</td></tr>
</table>
I've got piccies from this angle. You should of waited for the buses to piss off.

Just a bit unlucky yesterday. The buses didn't obstruct things too much so it wasn't that bad after all.

bumped so as thread wont get deleted

Today peered through the peep holes.

There was a pile of demoltion mess with 2 concrete pumps on site.

Nothing remains of Roma House - just gone :(

The now gone Roma House (the tallest structure in this pic taken by Fabian):

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/pa0db4d793fd547e11d4ac6143998fe9f/fcc5d0a6.jpg


BTW CULWULLA informed me a few weeks back that unfortunately the podium/base's design is not being changed i.e. the base that fronts George Street :(

Refer to page 6 of this thread to see unchanging podium/base :(

noooooooooooo!! not that bloody ugly base...........:(

A real disappointment we'll have to deal with a 1980's suburban style base. Doesn't really blend in with it's surroundings. Meriton has designed some rather impressive bases eg Summit and what a shame they didn't do it here.

Well, it was actually Seidler & Assoc. that designed the base along with the tower.

<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>A real disappointment we'll have to deal with a 1980's suburban style base. Doesn't really blend in with it's surroundings. Meriton has designed some rather impressive bases eg Summit and what a shame they didn't do it here.</td></tr>
</table>

Meriton didn't really design the base of Summit...it is just a heritage building that the city council forced them to retain!

still at it today even with rain. got to see view from Albion laneway which is north side of meriton site.virtually no remains of old bldgs above ground now! nows its excavating time!!

there starting to get stuck into it now !

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/05/193132.jpg

I don't think we should be worried too much about the base of this tower. Sure, it looks like some horror story from the 1980s, but there's still plenty of time to go before construction and heck, who knows, it might get changed.

Wait and see.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by fro </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I don't think we should be worried too much about the base of this tower. Sure, it looks like some horror story from the 1980s, but there's still plenty of time to go before construction and heck, who knows, it might get changed.

Wait and see.</td></tr>
</table>
nah, the planner has told me HarryS is sticking with his podium design. thats one thing with harry, he doesnt like to change his design to make others happy, he is so stuborn!!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by CULWULLA </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by fro </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I don't think we should be worried too much about the base of this tower. Sure, it looks like some horror story from the 1980s, but there's still plenty of time to go before construction and heck, who knows, it might get changed.

Wait and see.</td></tr>
</table>
nah, the planner has told me HarryS is sticking with his podium design. thats one thing with harry, he doesnt like to change his design to make others happy, he is so stuborn!!</td></tr>
</table>

Well, that's just poor form on the part of the planners! They have the power to recommend approval or not, and could have easily required a few amendments to the podium before it was approved.

Harry is a stubborn guy, but I can't help but think that his indignant stance on the podium design could have been swayed a little.

The podium around COVE looks great from what I've seen of it, and it's a shame that this one isn't more appropriate to its surrounds.

<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><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by CULWULLA </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by fro </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I don't think we should be worried too much about the base of this tower. Sure, it looks like some horror story from the 1980s, but there's still plenty of time to go before construction and heck, who knows, it might get changed.

Wait and see.</td></tr>
</table>
nah, the planner has told me HarryS is sticking with his podium design. thats one thing with harry, he doesnt like to change his design to make others happy, he is so stuborn!!</td></tr>
</table>

Well, that's just poor form on the part of the planners! They have the power to recommend approval or not, and could have easily required a few amendments to the podium before it was approved.

Harry is a stubborn guy, but I can't help but think that his indignant stance on the podium design could have been swayed a little.

The podium around COVE looks great from what I've seen of it, and it's a shame that this one isn't more appropriate to its surrounds.</td></tr>
</table>
the planners begged him and tried and tried and tried to change his mind but he wouldnt compromise!!
:bash:

If you think about it, rain (light rain is best) is good for excavationg, i mean it keeps te dust down and makes the dirt easiier to pick up.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Noonos </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>If you think about it, rain (light rain is best) is good for excavationg, i mean it keeps te dust down and makes the dirt easiier to pick up.</td></tr>
</table>

Anything beyond light rain though, and you have to bring the generators and pumps in to keep the water from building up!

ive noticed on this site that with all the rain weve had the excavators have been going ahead ignoring the rain.

just on excavating, the plans of meriton tower show a depth of 25m or 8 carpark levels.
it doesnt show the base ment as level 1, so maybe the towers floor numbering will start at ground.
so instead of the core showing 56 at top it will be 48!
:)

Went by the site today and you can now actually see in on the George Street side. Previously you could only get a glimpse in on Kent Street when the gates happened to open. Stiil it's not a clear view because you are seeing it through some sort of fabric.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by climbing_crane </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Went by the site today and you can now actually see in on the George Street side. Previously you could only get a glimpse in on Kent Street when the gates happened to open. Stiil it's not a clear view because you are seeing it through some sort of fabric.</td></tr>
</table>
you can see most of site from lane way at side. theres a wire fence you can look straight thru!

Village Yesterday from George St side

This was the best I could get and luckily the mesh fencing was this colour because it means you can still see whats happening.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/pead12f91918baccfda900bffe672a8b3/fc17f102.jpg

<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>Village Yesterday from George St side

This was the best I could get and luckily the mesh fencing was this colour because it means you can still see whats happening.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/pead12f91918baccfda900bffe672a8b3/fc17f102.jpg</td></tr>
</table>
fabian, do you read the posts above? i mentioned you could get a clear uninerupted view of entire site from Albion lane! as i did in above posts! that pic is the funniest one ive seen this year!!:D

see- heres the pic i took last week-

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/05/193132.jpg

I was very tight on time yesterday so I couldn't get to the lane.

There have been worse pics and they have been from the fencing at 126 Phillip St. You can see virtually nothing.

<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>I was very tight on time yesterday so I couldn't get to the lane.

There have been worse pics and they have been from the fencing at 126 Phillip St. You can see virtually nothing.</td></tr>
</table>
the lane way is about 25sec to the north.
you can get a good clear pic at 126philst at north/east of site.
must be prepared to climb or walk around site.:cool:

pic from today!

very quite today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/06/196432.jpg

Alot of sites are dormant today. Wonder why.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by climbing_crane </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Alot of sites are dormant today. Wonder why.</td></tr>
</table>
probably RDO!- rostered day off!! construction workers get 1 day off a month or could be 9 day fortnight like us here at council!
:D

Thats one very dormant site and it's great that it will come back to life today.

its going to be one very deep site soon, as it has 10 levels below also!

Last time I asked how deep it was Cul said 5 levels. So this is twice as good. Literally!

Nothing was happening at Village yesterday. There was nothing in sight even from the George st side. No bulldozers, no sign of people.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/p31a82ff902e9da505bcaba9efe7ee44f/fbe7df81.jpg

Just the calm before the storm. They cleared in site in seconds flat once it got underway.

There's probably still mounds of paperwork being sorted out esp. with contracts for contacted workers in all the differing companies and don't forget all the different equipment to hire.

With the combo of Seidler & Meriton, this will shoot up like anything once the foundations are completed. They will be deep foundations though...........We expect to see a type of Rialto (Lobana) hole being dug.

diggers hard at it today! ive asked meriton when will construction actually start and they said in 8 months. its a bloody big hole they have to dig! so feb next year!

So are they actually going to start marketing the thing or what?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by MrTall </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>So are they actually going to start marketing the thing or what?</td></tr>
</table>

I think, unless I'm mistaken, that it is a serviced apartment/rental apartment development, which means it won't be marketed for sale.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by MrTall </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>So are they actually going to start marketing the thing or what?</td></tr>
</table>

They will, but will wait until the tower starts to rise. Give it eighteen months.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid67/p604499f26584fb907551252175cacf06/fbd3aee7.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid67/p19ecdd37e36cd5fbf28fdfe281cb1e67/fbd3ac35.jpg

Back in full swing now after being dormant for awhile.

Good to see that they are making up for the time lost. I hope they are at it today for those venturing into town.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid67/p28395173f51839ce8336d9ff2bc0341e/fbcd3769.jpg
I saw this gate open that I've never seen open before so of course I snapped away.

There is always going to be at least one gate open on the site. It may change from time to time. Thats all.

Your still shitty cause I called you numbnuts? I was just kidding.

Hey Cul, I was looking @ Climbing Crane's pictures of the site and noticed that they were taken during the evening. Until what time are site excavations allowed on the Meriton Tower site? Looks pretty late to me... which is good. Get back to work you bludgers...

*shakes fist @ workers*

Those shots would of been shot around 5.30pm last Friday I think. Not too late but who knows how long they were digging after that.

Found out today that meriton tower IS NOT being sold i heard it is going to be meritons new office building and leased out as offices im pretty sure

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by WorldTowerWorker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Found out today that meriton tower IS NOT being sold i heard it is going to be meritons new office building and leased out as offices im pretty sure</td></tr>
</table>
The Meriton tower will be a 300 unit apartment block but will also have offices which will house Meritons new HQ!

view from Waldorf today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/07/200522.jpg

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by WorldTowerWorker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Found out today that meriton tower IS NOT being sold i heard it is going to be meritons new office building and leased out as offices im pretty sure</td></tr>
</table>

Were did you find out these details?

And are those buildings running alongside Albion lane expected to be retained?

<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><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by WorldTowerWorker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Found out today that meriton tower IS NOT being sold i heard it is going to be meritons new office building and leased out as offices im pretty sure</td></tr>
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Were did you find out these details?

And are those buildings running alongside Albion lane expected to be retained?</td></tr>
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i already mentioned that Meriton Tower will have 300 units with meritons offices in podium!
yes the Albion lanway bldgs will be restored and converted to restauants/retail.

I know it's apartments, but I wanted WorldTowerWorker to tell me where he found out about these details regarding Meriton being an office tower.

Is Kent House being refurbished?

<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>Is Kent House being refurbished?</td></tr>
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Let's hope so! There's a pic of Kent house in the Latitude Thread and by golly it sure needs more than just a lick of paint!

Kent house would of been demolished by now if it were slated for demolition.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid68/p5c611ac94d24bf40bba2610394bf91bd/fbc250ad.jpg

That tip truck looks mighty small next to that orange truck. What do they call those excavator machinery.

excvators dig up the soil. There is also a bulldozer on site.

holes getting deeper!

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

Not much to see until they start digging along the edges.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/pee73d1bfb4cb0868bbf6ee89da46a39a/fbaadd38.jpg
Here's the hole from the other side. You can't see it well in Culwulla's pic. In a few months this will be very deep. And thank goodness you will have a prime viewing spot on George Street. At Beau Monde you can't see jack squat.

Thats deep and it's been that quick too. Amazing.

wow what a hole now start filling it up with concrete :D

It was busy yesterday on site.

Taken from Albion lane

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/pb0307851cb59ecccb97f29c8babbeb3e/fba694b3.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p011e6ac6d132cc7e0c429f35fe2d1bf4/fb929bef.jpg
Not so busy today.

Still all this is quite fast !
Glad to see all these photos
I might be in the city tonight but that will be my last chance for a few weeks as back at uni

Climbing_crane, you took that from Albion lane?

They have made some quick progress with the digging.

Sorry I took it from George Street.

When I walk on the George St side, I cannot even see a hole in which to get clear pictures. How were you able to do it?

Excavations seem to moving along at great guns. The seem to be quite fair down at the George street end, if only I lived a little higher in the Summit building, then I maybe able to see down to the bottom of the hole, though they are not that far down at the Kent street end. But with a truck leaving there at least every five minutes and they work until 6.45pm, they must be eager or behind????

It's now a perfect view from Kent Street now that the pit is larger.

Took this this morning. Ask the workers if you can get a photo from this spot. It's nice courtesy.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/pef52291970f39d1af8c698ab6b849ba5/fb5165a9.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/06/196432.jpg


Hopefully this works. I'm trying to past a previous shot of Culwulla's to show how much it's changed.

WOW Great Photo climbing_crane, it has moved along quite quickly!!!

How come some sites get concrete on their walls at this stage and others don't?

Maybe it has something to do with soil/rock composition????

from today. the hole is getting deeeeep

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126villageaug28_2003-med.jpg


fabian-the concrete walling is just extra reinforcing for the walling. safety issues

that is deep loks huge from there

So how much more digging Cul? I recall some said that they would start actual "construction" in November... still on track for that? Nice pic by the way. Good to see you didn't get too close to the edge! How deep is the hole now?

How deep would the hole be now?

LOL! I just edited my post to ask the depth of the hole and 1 minute later Fabian asks the same thing! HA!

Wow! Great pictures! So how deep do you reckon the hole is now???

hk

Yeah the hole is looking deep, although it'll still take a lot of time to trim the excavation. Remember that they need to put SQUARE carparks in there so we're still a fair way to that.

(Look at other holes in the CBD. They almost always extend to the property boundaries (101 is a good example)

That's right folks the pit is looking very pittish now.http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid76/p50313e95d813aa19ad242d4d2e039d39/fb419a63.jpg

Were probably halfway, two thirds of the way down.

view from Museum Towers today! looks like lots happening from the dust!!!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/09/218462.jpg

I wonder if anyone would be able to notice that cloud from the street?

Cul, your pic shows quite clearly the lack of towers on the block bounded by Bathurst, Liverpool, Pitt and George Streets (I think Century and HSBC are the only ones). Is there any hope for a 150m+ building for that block in the future (perhaps along George Street)?

Yeah!! It's prime zone!!

Get rid of that bloody ugly Metro complex on George Street and a couple of other non-historic frumps. Fortunately or unfortunately most buildings in that area are - not frumps but historic.

Originally posted by Fabian
I wonder if anyone would be able to notice that cloud from the street?

well by looking at Cul's pic, it's obvious it would have been noticed, ya think?

Cul, do you ever get the chance to get up Hordern tower? Pics from there would be nice (not of Meriton tower, of course)

Originally posted by MrTall
Cul, your pic shows quite clearly the lack of towers on the block bounded by Bathurst, Liverpool, Pitt and George Streets (I think Century and HSBC are the only ones). Is there any hope for a 150m+ building for that block in the future (perhaps along George Street)?

If it was in my power, I would purchase the air rights over the courthouse and transfer them to the site next door which fronts George St, and sits right behind the Century Hotel.

I would then build a slender tower of 235m, plus architectural feature up to about 265m, on the site, and incorporate office levels in the lower areas of the tower, and residential on the top floors. I would also provide a undergound arcade linking the HSBC retail arcade to World Square, and thus to Town Hall Station!

If someone else hasn't done it by the time I can afford it, then I will make it happen. :D

Originally posted by MrTall
Cul, your pic shows quite clearly the lack of towers on the block bounded by Bathurst, Liverpool, Pitt and George Streets (I think Century and HSBC are the only ones). Is there any hope for a 150m+ building for that block in the future (perhaps along George Street)?
The Hoytz site on george st will probaly host a 150m tower one day. As for the police Court precinct. not good. Its a pretty historic area and anything north will shadow it which it is protected by council LEP. but there is a site on Pitt st just south of Centruy tower which had a 40storey DA 10 years ago. The site is still allowed to be developed!

A month or two ago, I posted the height limit map and there is an area on the Eastern side of George St right next to the court where you can build 235 metre towers without overshadowing the court but the historical buildings occupying prevent such development.

And Bulwara, I made that quite about the cloud because I haven't seen sites let out that much dust when it's windy.

pic from today! amazing excavations!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126meritonholesep23.jpg

I find it strange they lay concrete on the walls as they dig down.

Maybe they don't want the walls to fall in.

ive seen this reinforcment in alot of excavations over the years. Its just a way of giving the sheer walls some strength assistance.

Gives protection in wet weather to slow down errosion .........

Wow... that was quick. Nice pic, feels like I'm right there breathing in the dust.

I suppose it's an obvious question, but how much further to they have to dig? 10m or so?

Originally posted by fro
Wow... that was quick. Nice pic, feels like I'm right there breathing in the dust.

I suppose it's an obvious question, but how much further to they have to dig? 10m or so?

The hole will eventually be 28m deep! or 10 storeys. they will also label the floors aka WT, so beasement is first floor is street level is 11. There will be a total of 55 levels in Meriton or 45 above ground!

looks so far down from Wt today!..

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126villagesite74.jpg

Wow Cul, you certainly made the most of your trip up WT!

Thats the aerial of the year. Great stuff!!!

thanks guys, yeah i only had a few minutes so i bolted around the floor! heres one from a level18 furnished unit!


https://www.emporis.com/files_transfer/6/2003/09/220701.jpg

Amazing.

That vantage point from that pic above is going to be AMAZING to see Village rise from.

I agree. It's not too high nor too low.

From Albion Lane

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid82/p2b9134122e08c75e88b178e7a612f774/faeef267.jpg

I'm going to need to find a new vantage point.

Such a powerful machine. Related to the daisycutter I think.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p0498a10b496072947707a62de2202621/fac4a572.jpg

Miss that time when you were up World Tower Cul just catching up on posts now between study
Not sure I like that view from the appartment in world Tower
https://www.emporis.com/files_transfer/6/2003/09/220701.jpg

Very Bland ! Nothing but Mid Rise Apartment towers. TO Many Blank wall currently. Although there is a sneak of IBM tower there.

I really have to get up world tower when apparments are open for inspection and get a look at this site if possible

Never seen you write so well Trances. Was it all an act.

This pit is getting super deep. It's been nearly 2 years since I was watching 1 as deep when Lobana was still underground.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p4badd8c5737f0b84e7352fb9b714e3ed/fabd817b.jpg

Wath you mean somtime I turns seppl check on some tiem not guses I just tpye to fsat and to layz to fix its up
But good point I am trying to do better in my post.

I think there should be a spellchecker available on the forum so people can post with the correct spelling and grammar.

Originally posted by Fabian
I think there should be a spellchecker available on the forum so people can post with the correct spelling and grammar. All too true Fabian but unfortunately there's not. A couple of spelling mistakes that you and a few other forumer members keep making on this site is the word "definitley" - it is not "definAtley". The other one is "facade", not "faScade". Take heed forumers!!.

Earlier this afternoon, I had a peek though the peek-a-boos on the Kent Street side of the Meriton Tower development and I noticed 6 track hoes at the bottom of the "pit" and they appeared to be still digging the very deep foundations of this site. Seemed to be a few floors undergound still to go with a lot of unlceared rubble still to be cleared.

By chance, I still didn't have my digicam along with me. Oh well, maybe next time.

Doesn't matter you didn't have your cam with you because the George Street view is much better.

Originally posted by Fabian
I think there should be a spellchecker available on the forum so people can post with the correct spelling and grammar
I know I need help there
I run my posts in word before I send them out when ever I am on the right computer :) But not often enough

Originally posted by Muse
All too true Fabian but unfortunately there's not. A couple of spelling mistakes that you and a few other forumer members keep making on this site is the word "definitley" - it is not "definAtley". The other one is "facade", not "faScade". Take heed forumers!!.

Earlier this afternoon, I had a peek though the peek-a-boos on the Kent Street side of the Meriton Tower development and I noticed 6 track hoes at the bottom of the "pit" and they appeared to be still digging the very deep foundations of this site. Seemed to be a few floors undergound still to go with a lot of unlceared rubble still to be cleared.

By chance, I still didn't have my digicam along with me. Oh well, maybe next time.

It ain't "definitley" either. Gotcha!!!;)

Just think "definite" and add a "ly", giving "definitely"! That's how I've always remembered to spell it anyway!

There is an "s" sound in fascade hence the S.

I didn't raise this when I went by the site last month, but I've noticed that the digging has led to plumes of dust rising from the site. It's become Sydney's dustbowl.

Fabian, there is no ’S’ in the word facade.

Originally posted by MrTall
It ain't "definitley" either. Gotcha!!!;) Woops, of course, it's definitely.

Anyway back to Meriton Tower. 152m to roof, 169m (554ft) to spire with 48 floors above ground.

A reminder of the renderings:

The earlier one:

______________http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379meritontowerrender2.jpg

…and the later one; the southern facade:

___________________http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379meritontowerrender1.jpg

and how it looks in the city skyline

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid82/p16b2bade4362533f5a3147094704eabd/faeef254.jpg