I scanned all these photos from a book "Capital Cities of Australia" (Golden Press, 1976). It's a great collection of photos on the character of all capital cities (except Darwin), and I'll post a few for each city. First up:

Sydney


http://img140.echo.cx/img140/7231/sydney17js.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img123.echo.cx/img123/6803/sydney27tm.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Town Hall - whats that UC on right?
http://img74.echo.cx/img74/2955/sydney30iq.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img123.echo.cx/img123/5039/sydney47bv.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Fishing at Rushcutters Bay
http://img55.echo.cx/img55/8728/sydney58zf.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Melbourne

Excuse the seam
http://img230.echo.cx/img230/9411/melbourne29cp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img210.echo.cx/img210/4610/melbourne18ml.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Bourke St
http://img85.echo.cx/img85/1956/melbourne33nt.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Exhibition Building
http://img141.echo.cx/img141/6666/melbourne48rt.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Flinders St Station
http://img151.echo.cx/img151/5918/melbourne54mu.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

OMG That's the only shot on the net (I'm sure) of Sydney's CAGA building - 4th pic down. I loved it!! Very New York international style. CULS has one, but only of the crown.

It was yoinked down for Gov. Macquarie Tower.

LOL @ Town Hall House u/c.

...and when that black beauty, 140 William St dominated the skyline around Bourke St.

Great stuff Ori

that bourke street shot is now my new wallpaper.

is CAGA the NZI/Maq bank building??

CAGA House (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=164437) was pulled down for Governor Macquarie Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=108110). It was completed in 1977 and only lasted just over 20 years. However Sydney got a taller building, by 20m.

The ex-NZI/now Macquarie Bank (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=108045) building is on Pitt/Bond Sts.

ah, I didn't recognise the area correctly.

ta.

very interesting shots.

Look forward to your Brisbane one.


(ANd ive never seen that Caga building in the 4th pic, as muse mentioned)

^ OMG Brisbane's!! It will be bizarre lookin'.

BTW You can actually see CAGA u/c in the first 2 pics, 1976. Also, everyobdy's favourite, 201 Elizabeth St (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=108043), in the first pic in the background u/c.

...

Oriolus, the building under construction behind the Town Hall in the 3rd pic is Town Hall House.

Wow Oriolus some awesome finds there, i love seeing old images of citys and those buildings that were eventually torn down (like GAGA and Consolidated Zinc).

Can anyone pinpoint exactly when these photos were taken? The 1st and 2nd show GAGA under construction and AMP tower almost topped out. Also what is the solid looking building near St Martins (town hall building?).

Also love that shot up the Yarra in Melbourne with CZ still there. Has Narau topped out? I'm guessing its still got a way to go. Also whats the building to the far left of the image (quite large 70's style office block)? I presume that one must have been pulled down as well.

Imazing seeing how far Sydney and Melbourne have come!

Whats that tallish building next to the UC Nauru house in the 2nd Melb pic? Is it still standing? I don't think I've ever noticed it, either it's been long demolished or so 'hidden' amongst the Collins St tallies that I've never noticed it... oh wait, is it the CZ building rickster is refering to? If it is I assume it's been demolished to make way for one of the Collins St big'uns.

^ its the CRA House which was melbournes tallest skyscraper from 1961-69.Its also the tallest bldg pulled down in Melbourne. It stood 26storeys/95m. replaced with 101 colins st.
It was also the first bldg in melbourne set back from street with ground plaza.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3294502-v.jpg

Thanks Cul, you are always a wealth of knowledge. :)

Not often a citys tallest has only 30 years before it's demolished, watch out Rialto, you've turned 20 already! They might wanna pull you down and build a 500m monster there in the next decade! ;)

Fantastic, hope you have some Brisbane ones to add

Brisbane

http://img282.echo.cx/img282/2940/brisbane18zi.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img275.echo.cx/img275/6426/brisbane25ia.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

King George Square
http://img275.echo.cx/img275/3295/brisbane32uc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img274.echo.cx/img274/2369/brisbane45be.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img273.echo.cx/img273/3941/brisbane55wk.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Nice Pictures.I like the 70s.

Especially Wa Wa music.

Wa Wa music and mediocre looking skylines

How

Wa Wa

1970;s was the decade of flat top box scrapers!!!

Here's another one for Brisbane - a huge aerial. It's from a book "Australia 1901-1976" which has great aerials of all the cities. I've scanned each of them as well, except for Sydney (it was very similiar to the aerial I've already posted) & Melbourne (didn't have an aerial - it was just a view down the Yarra similar to photo I posted).

So here it is. Check out Turbot St - it looks like a dirt track - what's with that?
http://img270.echo.cx/img270/4042/brisbaneaerial1hg.th.jpg (http://img270.echo.cx/my.php?image=brisbaneaerial1hg.jpg)

how long's Bris Central had covered tracks to the North and South west? (could that have anything to do with it?)

Here's another one for Brisbane - a huge aerial. It's from a book "Australia 1901-1976" which has great aerials of all the cities. I've scanned each of them as well, except for Sydney (it was very similiar to the aerial I've already posted) & Melbourne (didn't have an aerial - it was just a view down the Yarra similar to photo I posted).

So here it is. Check out Turbot St - it looks like a dirt track - what's with that?
http://img270.echo.cx/img270/4042/brisbaneaerial1hg.th.jpg (http://img270.echo.cx/my.php?image=brisbaneaerial1hg.jpg)

That was when Turbot street was being elevated, as you know for much of its length now it runs above ground. Its a great aerial! I think Turbot was designed as an early city bypass.

@ Tayser, Not sure what you mean about the covered tracks, do you mean cut and cover?

From what I know they were were tunneled through very early on, the two older ones were bored through years ago. The two new ones are only about 5 years old.

jt

I think the period between the 1965 and 1985 was the worst era for Austrlian cities. Many of the beautiful hertiage buildings were being demolished or were in a state of disrepair and were being replaced with parking lots or bland international style skyscrapers with widswept plazas.

It wasn't until the late 80's that serious progress was made towards restoring and protecting heritage buildings and ensuring that new developments respected and improved the urban environemnt in our inner cities.

i agree. the National Trust wasnt even formed until 1976.so before that old bldgs were being replaced with the much larger and more modern structure.After 1957 when the height limit wasnt lifted, it took a few years to design some descent large skyscrapers.I think the 1962 AMP in sydney was a nice try at a large skyscraper and in melbourne the 1969 AMP was there first impressive big one. ICI House from 1958 was also impressive but only 20storeys.Australia square in 1967 was a big step forward in world skyscrapers.At the time it was the tallest all concrete skyscraper.
In the 70's i think towers such as MLC in Sydney & nauru in melbourne where a positive step. AMP in brisbane was also a great addition in 78.AMP in perth was also not a bad design.

i await ur perth ones :P

heres an old scan from a book.
one of perth from 77.
the gorgeous telstra exchange is just commenced construction.
http://img276.echo.cx/img276/5453/perth767me.jpg

ew telstra exchange, gorguss?

^ i was kidding

Cul, have you worked out what those buildings are i was refering to, would be interested to know, and your the guru when it comes to all things skyscraperish in Aus.

Wow Oriolus some awesome finds there, i love seeing old images of citys and those buildings that were eventually torn down (like GAGA and Consolidated Zinc).

Can anyone pinpoint exactly when these photos were taken? The 1st and 2nd show GAGA under construction and AMP tower almost topped out. Also what is the solid looking building near St Martins (town hall building?).

Also love that shot up the Yarra in Melbourne with CZ still there. Has Narau topped out? I'm guessing its still got a way to go. Also whats the building to the far left of the image (quite large 70's style office block)? I presume that one must have been pulled down as well.

Imazing seeing how far Sydney and Melbourne have come!
hi rick, the first syd pic is 76 and this sydney pic was taken early75. you can see AMP,CAGA well uc and Hilton hotel in background just about done.Also core of Town Hall house rising.to the left is Remmington centre (now AMEX) facing Hyde park south also nearly complete.Another on uc is to far right above Wynyard park. thats 55 Clarence st.
http://img123.echo.cx/img123/6803/sydney27tm.jpg
in this pic Nauru is approx40storeys high ,so another 9 to go or so.
the bldg to far left is the tragic twin towers of Gas and Fuel bldgs. they were built in 1966 (17st/70m) and pulled down in 1996/98 for fed square.

http://img210.echo.cx/img210/4610/melbourne18ml.jpg

pic showing gas & Fuel bldgs just before demolition

http://www.nla.gov.au/ntwkpubs/gw/49/p17i01.jpg

Great old pictures, love that giant one of Brisbane

That must have been quite a boom in the mid to late 1970's. Almost every city in Australia got new tallests, sometimes multiple new tallests. Between 1975 & 1980:

Sydney - AMP Centre claimed the title from Australia Square than MLC Centre overtook AMP Centre the next year. Also 201 Elizabeth St rivalled Australia Square in height.

Melbourne - Nauru House, ANZ Centre, National Back House & Optus House all eclipsed 140 William St

Brisbane - AMP Centre beat Suncorp Plaza and State Law Building, Hitachi Building, Jetset House, Westpac all went up

Perth - Got 5 scrapers to eclipse previous tallest - St Martins Tower, AMP Centre, Allendale Square, Governor Stirling Tower & yes, the Telstra Exchange.

Adelaide - No new tallest to beat Grenfell Centre (1973) but did get some new talls like ANZ Centre & Stamford Plaza

Gold Coast - Got 8 new tallests during this period to beat Apollo, including Aquarius and Focus

Hobart - Wrest Point Casino remain unchallenged but got Trafalgar Building & 10 Murray St

Darwin - Cylclone Tracy happened in 74 but still managed to built an equal new tallest in 1978 - City Centre equalled Travelodge

Townsville - Holiday Inn doubled the height of the T&G Building and Metro Quays also beat it

I pulled most of that from SSP - please forgive me Cul :D

Perth

Big aerial
http://img277.echo.cx/img277/26/perthaerial5uk.th.jpg (http://img277.echo.cx/my.php?image=perthaerial5uk.jpg)

From Kings Park
http://img268.echo.cx/img268/2280/perth18av.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Allendale Square UC?
http://img266.echo.cx/img266/9520/perth22im.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img267.echo.cx/img267/4176/perth32ro.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img271.echo.cx/img271/931/perth49ut.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img279.echo.cx/img279/2567/perth55ze.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

^ you done well.yes 1970's was a progressive decade.
In 1979 the tallest on GC was Goldengate.Ihe tallest in Melb at end of 70s; was ANZ bank, its core was full height in 76. it finshed before the larger twin in 81.

TOP10

MLC/SYD 228M 1977
AMP/SYD 188M 1976
NAURU HOUSE/MELB 185M 1977
AUSTRALIASQ/SYD 170M 1967
HYDE PARK SQ/SYD 164M 1978
COM BANK/MELB 153M 1975
BHP/MELB 152M 1972
CITY CENTRE/PERTH 140M 1978
PARK REGIS/SYD 136M 1968
AMP/BRISBANE 135M 1978

5-SYD
3-MELB
1-PERTH
1-BRISBANE

WITH PERTH. All 3 of these got time at being tallest-
AMP-131M 1976
ALLENDALE SQUARE-132M 1977
CITY CENTRE (aapt)-140M 1978

LOL @ the man in the first shot up in kings park... nice pants buddy.

The last shot looks like an ad for something that blond woman has.

Nice pics. Cool aerial as well.

lol Malt, If you liked that guys pants, than stand by for:

Adelaide

Big aerial
http://img267.echo.cx/img267/6766/adelaideaerial2eg.th.jpg (http://img267.echo.cx/my.php?image=adelaideaerial2eg.jpg)

http://img288.echo.cx/img288/6516/adelaide13lv.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img276.echo.cx/img276/7048/adelaide27qj.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img279.echo.cx/img279/613/adelaide31rc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img286.echo.cx/img286/7952/adelaide44jm.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

The caption was "Construction workers at rest" :lol:
http://img271.echo.cx/img271/4760/adelaide54tz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Canberra

http://img273.echo.cx/img273/914/canberra18ne.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Check out these guys :lol:
http://img282.echo.cx/img282/8831/canberra20we.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Hobart

Big aerial
http://img267.echo.cx/img267/6685/hobartaerial6xt.th.jpg (http://img267.echo.cx/my.php?image=hobartaerial6xt.jpg)

http://img281.echo.cx/img281/9954/hobart18em.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img282.echo.cx/img282/2174/hobart25vh.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img282.echo.cx/img282/6245/hobart35pr.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Wow, our cities in the 70s look so depressing...

That makes me wonder if people will find our current cities look depressing 30 years later?

Cheers for the info Cul. I didn't recoqnise the Hilton, but then it has been refurbed recently, it looks so soild and concrete in those photos.

So i presume the Gas and Fuel Building was set back on road and next to the railway line drop (as opposed to being over the track like Fed Square is now).

Do you have any pics of the NRMA building before the recladding/refurb?

^ you mean the original King George Tower later American Express bldg cnr george & King?
i loved the original steel grill that covered its sides.it was a shame they were removed.
Its a unique skyscraper alright. triangular floor plate with circular cnrs which are stairwells.
designed in 1971 by John Andrews. it was opened in 1978
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an22773673-v.jpg

Poor adelaide.

Hobart will be oe hell of an impressive city one day, with that backdrop.

What moderations did they do to KGT? Was it just removing the grid cladding or was there are structural change. I read on emporis that there was great controversy when the building was altered.

^ well yeah the grill was removed which upset alot of people.also each triagular floor was cut so the large southern face had a large atrium all the way up the interior with sky gardens walkways ect. looks ok
there was a considerable change at street level which was for the good. dont know what they were thinking in 70's but they had no idea about ground level plazas areas ect.

Not sure how old this pic of Canberra is, but by the looks of it, it's pretty old!! :)
http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/site/libraries/125+Pictures/$file/bu2205webscan22.jpg

Must be early 1960s as teh dam that created Lake Burley Griffin was completed in 1963

... the National Trust wasnt even formed until 1976.....

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) dates from about 1956 (not sure about other States) but they were just a private lobby group.

There was no government protection for historic buildings until demolition controls were introduced to the various State Planning legistlations (previously purely a Building Act issue) in the 1970s and the creation of the Australian Heritage Commission (and it's Register of the National Estate) by the Commonwealth in about 1975.

Poor adelaide.

.


What do you mean???

great thread Hobart hasn't changed much

God! Im so glad i didn't live in the 70's! Ahhh Yuck... concrete everywhere.. But I love looking back in time.

Look at the difference make up your own mind.....
Then
http://img273.echo.cx/img273/914/canberra18ne.jpg
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3048416-v
Now
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2943/2707561384e5f6b2888odd7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

hmm there is hardly any change!!

Wow, Adelaide looks the same.

Perth

Big aerial
http://img277.echo.cx/img277/26/perthaerial5uk.th.jpg (http://img277.echo.cx/my.php?image=perthaerial5uk.jpg)

From Kings Park
http://img268.echo.cx/img268/2280/perth18av.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Allendale Square UC?
http://img266.echo.cx/img266/9520/perth22im.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img267.echo.cx/img267/4176/perth32ro.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img271.echo.cx/img271/931/perth49ut.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img279.echo.cx/img279/2567/perth55ze.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

hey i really wanna save that big aerial, but the link for the enlarged image doesnt work. Can you please repost ever so kindly for me?:D

What is the gatehouse in the second last Perth photo?

What is the gatehouse in the second last Perth photo?

Barrack's Arch - was originally part of an army barracks that occupied the site where the Mitchell Freeway now stands. There was massive protests in the early 70's trying to stop the demolishing of the barracks.. In the end they kept the arch entrance of the barracks to keep everyone happy!

The Parliament House Front Doors and The Arch's Doorway all line up with the centre of St George's Terrace!

Lol can tell the mitchell freeway was well used in the 70's!! Theres 1 car on there!! LOL.

;10362076']Wow, Adelaide looks the same.

No it doesnt


Adelaide

Big aerial
http://img267.echo.cx/img267/6766/adelaideaerial2eg.th.jpg (http://img267.echo.cx/my.php?image=adelaideaerial2eg.jpg)

http://img288.echo.cx/img288/6516/adelaide13lv.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img276.echo.cx/img276/7048/adelaide27qj.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img279.echo.cx/img279/613/adelaide31rc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img286.echo.cx/img286/7952/adelaide44jm.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Whats the building next to the grenfell centre?, anyway thats the first time ive seen the grenfell centre under construction. tho the last picture looks like it was taken in the 60s

Another of Perth in the early 70's:
http://users.on.net/~jecs_thomas/1972-1973%200020.jpg

Perth in the early 80's:
http://users.on.net/~jecs_thomas/IMAGE0073.jpg

i think that pic above is perth late 70's? not early. City mutual was built 1976/77.AMP was tallest and just out of pic.
great stuff

Wow, good pic of Perth with the freeway under construction. Interesting.

perth 1970.
68.5m T&G rules the skies. note south perth power station chugging away far right.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5380/perth1970ym5.jpg

All that cement. Hideous lol. Whoops my mistake, thought they were early 70's. Oh well lol.

check out the anz building. Demolished in 94 and now the site for our 103m century city.

perth 1970.
68.5m T&G rules the skies. note south perth power station chugging away far right.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5380/perth1970ym5.jpg

wow this is the first pic i've seen of the freeway u/c in perth.....

Geez Perth looks baron and almost third world in that pic!

What do you mean "looks"? ;)

Here is yet another. Should just re-name the thread "Perth In The 70s'

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/Perth70s.jpg

^^lol
back in the 60's Perth WAS barren and third world:P

It is a tragedy to see how much of the river they filled for that monstrosity though. They could have filled in a much smaller area but I think the plan was to upgrade Mounts Bay road and Riverside drive to freeway standard in the future. Its sad to look back on such poor planning and realise that we are probably making some pretty terrible mistakes now as well and dont even realise it yet:P

^^lol
back in the 60's Perth WAS barren and third world:P

It is a tragedy to see how much of the river they filled for that monstrosity though. They could have filled in a much smaller area but I think the plan was to upgrade Mounts Bay road and Riverside drive to freeway standard in the future. Its sad to look back on such poor planning and realise that we are probably making some pretty terrible mistakes now as well and dont even realise it yet:P

You have no idea we also had a freeway planned alone the riverside up around east perth and it would have been a loop.

What do you mean "looks"? ;)

Here is yet another. Should just re-name the thread "Perth In The 70s'

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/Perth70s.jpg

Perth in that photo looks very dry and barren! Notable areas - Narrows Interchange and Wellington Street plenty of trees in those areas now..

And yes! No Telstra Wellington Exchange yet! How different that part of town really looked then!

You have no idea we also had a freeway planned alone the riverside up around east perth and it would have been a loop.

Do you know where to find the old 1955 Perth City Master Plan? I remember reading a copy years ago while trawling through the library at Uni but I cant find it anymore. Does the state library have a copy?

Alexander library. All plans and everything there. One day when i was looking briefly i saw the original plan for AMP. The tower was the same and sat ontop of a 3lv retail podium which englufed the cp site.

Yeah, I think I might have to spend some time in there before I move away.

I hope they have a decent wedge of greenspace or at least a decent tree-lined blvd as part of the northbridge link. Perth is greener now than back then but there is still a lack of trees on the north side of the CBD.

Lake/King st will be a tree lined boulevard and also wellington st will be one too.

That 70's Show

Geez Perth looks baron and almost third world in that pic!

I think all the cities do...

^^lol
back in the 60's Perth WAS barren and third world:P

It is a tragedy to see how much of the river they filled for that monstrosity though. They could have filled in a much smaller area but I think the plan was to upgrade Mounts Bay road and Riverside drive to freeway standard in the future. Its sad to look back on such poor planning and realise that we are probably making some pretty terrible mistakes now as well and dont even realise it yet:P

It doesn't matter if they reclaimed that much land. It all looks nice now, with the parks and lakes in between.

Whats that big dome/stadium??

Perth Entertainment Centre. Closed in 2002, Been left to rot.

Capacity: Over 8000

Lol it looks like a foot stool from that angle.

Australian cities were full of box scrapers in 70;s.

Australia's tallest UC in 1974.
http://image.sl.nsw.gov.au/apa/45/d7_45978.jpg

79
http://image.sl.nsw.gov.au/gpo4/19/d4_19344.jpg

Speaking of, this is my all-time ye olde 1970s vision for Sydney. Supposed to be fast-forwarding to 1985 printed in The Telegraph in 1974 :) lolol

Scan of badly printed article from micro-fish film:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/379sydney1984no21.jpg

...

Good find Muse. LOL at their vision for Sydney, damn revolting. what is with that 'chunder box' at Wynyard? I have some visions from papers too, although not that old. I will try to find them and post them. I also have a special treat for everyone (an illustration of Sydney by my fav designer) when and if I can find it. It is truly something special.

Please do Avy. I love those k00ky visions.

BTW That 'chunder box" was just the envelope albeit off-scale for Seidler's CBD 1 where Cove now sits.

I love the fact that it was very pre-computer imagering and probably done with whatever the graphics department had available at the time - possibly just a set-square and ink pen. Look how wonky some of the lines are :lol:

Perth Entertainment Centre. Closed in 2002, Been left to rot.

Capacity: Over 8000

Really!! omg... thats so bad! what a waste of space! Brisbane would kill for space like that!

bty, why did it close anyway?? Looks like prime land next to the CBD... thats very strange..

The land will be used eventually. Not sure about the entertainment centre. Its old and run down, who would want to go there? lol. We are getting a newer, bigger one anyway.

^^Its actually owned by the Seven Network at the moment. I don't think they have decided what they want to do with the property in the long term.
The carpark next to the entertainment centre is where they are building the new Perth Arena (cap 12-14,000) which is a replacement for this venue and the Burswood Dome.
I personally hope they keep it and refurbish into a new mid-size venue for events which are too small for Perth Arena.

They are seeing what it going on with the northbridge link before acting on anything.

Brisbane

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/yesteryearbris1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/yesteryearbris2.jpg

...

^^ Nice bridge. Haha. Shame there is no city.

^^ LOL! The pic of the Story Bridge doesn't actually show the city - it shows Kangaroo Point. The city is on the right, out of the picture. :)

^^
LOL I do know this but even still they are rather spartan.

I still think a new bridge or tunnel would make Brisbane look infinitley better too.

how is a tunnel going to make it look better??????

It's under the bloody ground....

No-one will see it

except superman.......