One of the oldest Da 's in the city is the redevelopment of the Mid City Centre in the centre of Sydney's CBD on George st. The latest proposal is for a 33storey office tower and 143m in height. this height excludes plant & 15m architectural feature which is also planned on top. So final height will be approx 150m+.

model pix

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182266.jpg

view from north/west. you can see the addition done to model since last proposal. also the cantilevered sections have been removed.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182265.jpg


that area along with the nearby 3 towers of Centrepoint redevelopment will really make the area dense!!!

Wow! Look at the density. Now that building will definately become a great "Gap filler" for the area.

Now mentioning how its one of the oldest DAs in Sydney, you are not wrong. Ever since I have started making a pilgramage to the City Model Shrine, I have always noticed that one in the middle ....

...... It had the thickest layer of dust on it :)

AWESOME NEWS!

More 500 footers [well close to] for Sydney town. :guns1:

Looks nice and slender from the north west as well :D

There's some very nice modern office towers along that George St strip.
This is good news for midtown !

That looks very tall. It stands out pretty well. It will only make the area even more dense.

YAY! this is exceellent news! 150m+ is good, so crrently sydney has a few tallies and uc:

WT(obvious)
Latitude(222)
Lobana(130 or close to it)
Village (170)
Midcity centre(152m+)
KENS(164)
John boyd(188)
BT(240)
cove(158)
101 bathurst(152m+)

BOOM TOWN!

This is great news. How long will dust be sitting on this new model?

...and something twice that height would be much nicer

<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>YAY! this is exceellent news! 150m+ is good, so crrently sydney has a few tallies and uc:

WT(obvious)
Latitude(222)
Lobana(130 or close to it)
Village (170)
Midcity centre(152m+)
KENS(164)
John boyd(188)
BT(240)
cove(158)
101 bathurst(152m+)

BOOM TOWN!</td></tr>
</table>

i cant believe cove is only 158m!!!!! it looks so DAMN TALL!

So anything on this lately,any tenants in serious talks with the developers?

Mid City Centre is 40,000 sq/ms isn't it?:guns1:

nothing for a while, maybe something soon.:?

hope it gets the go ahead....

If it doesn't get the go-ahead soon, this tower will never get off the ground.

<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>If it doesn't get the go-ahead soon, this tower will never get off the ground.</td></tr>
</table>
you have to be patient. its going fine. the DA is being processed and sometimes this takes a while. when it does get approval, it will advertise and tennants will be interested in what has to be one of the best locations in the CBD!its a george street address for a start! and is right in centre of town! it also backs onto pittst mall!brilliant selling point!
but we might have to wait for next construction cycle.
we have already many large office towers uc-

LATITUDE-45storeys
BT TOWER-40 storeys
KENS-40 storeys
CIVIC-30 storeys
KPMG-16 storeys

pretty amazing when you think about it!

<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 Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>If it doesn't get the go-ahead soon, this tower will never get off the ground.</td></tr>
</table>
you have to be patient. its going fine. the DA is being processed and sometimes this takes a while. when it does get approval, it will advertise and tennants will be interested in what has to be one of the best locations in the CBD!its a george street address for a start! and is right in centre of town! it also backs onto pittst mall!brilliant selling point!
but we might have to wait for next construction cycle.
we have already many large office towers uc-

LATITUDE-45storeys
BT TOWER-40 storeys
KENS-40 storeys
CIVIC-30 storeys
KPMG-16 storeys

pretty amazing when you think about it!</td></tr>
</table>

Any guesses when this next construction cycle will start?

Whats happened to this tower. We've gone silent on it.

Ummmmm, possibly because there is ummmmm, no significant news on it as yet....ya reckon?

I'm sure as soon as there is some news, CULWULLA will let us know.....

....unless...... :sly: there's some confidential 'top secret' stuff goin' on down at the Town Hall....hmmmmm? lol

*Puts CULS in a difficult position* ;)

yeah, if anything comes up on ANY city development ill let you know about it! so nothing is happening YET with this baby, but one day iyt might. patience!

Very nice news to hear, while I sloth around on this lovely Sunday arvo


Ummmmm, possibly because there is ummmmm, no significant news on it as yet....ya reckon?

lol


The Mid City (shopping) Centre will undergo some changes in the not too distant future, I've been told this by a few retailers already there. At the moment several retailers have closed up in the Centre as their leases have ended - Palms cafe, Vendor, Table 8, Andrew Herzfeld, Enamel, Deli Panini etc.

That little leather clothing place on the edge of the George St entrance is about to become a gelato bar. Also where Table 8 was (above Marcs) , General Pants will move in and an escalator will be built up from the Mall into the shop.

Cul, what's the story with the Dymocks building next door, it's been white in the city model for a while now?

Hasn't the Developer had Mid City center propsed for about a Decade?

Has it Been that hard to Find someone the tenant:? :? :?

Originally posted by Sydguy1
Hasn't the Developer had Mid City center propsed for about a Decade?

Has it Been that hard to Find someone the tenant:? :? :?

It goes back to the mid 80's when a 190 metre tower was proposed for the site!!!

Man, I cannot believe it got scaled down. Stupid sun access planes.

Sun Access have to live with
Will be Glad its there in 30 years
And so what the shops will stay open while con goes on above an such ?

The development could commence with the upgrade/reconfiguration of the mid city centre to enable the office tower to proceed. Shops inside may have to close temporarily but we will know when the time comes.

I walked through Mid city today and EVERYTHING is either closed or vacating premises! hmmm? sounds like a major DA for Sydney's next 500footer mght be coming in? Ill ask planner this week if developer has plans for this baby this year!!
cheers

We wait with baited breath CULWULLA.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
I walked through Mid city today and EVERYTHING is either closed or vacating premises! hmmm? sounds like a major DA for Sydney's next 500footer mght be coming in? Ill ask planner this week if developer has plans for this baby this year!!
cheers

Thats surprising. It didn't look like that on Saturday at all. At least it adds to the speculation that the tower could go up soon.

Eksqueeze me but where is the room to excavate underground?

The foundations may already be there seeing this tower has been on the cards ever since the complex was built.

the podium is basically a concrete bunker designed to hold a future tower!

I walked through Mid city today and EVERYTHING is either closed or vacating premises!

This is only because leases have ended and new shops are being fitted-out

Originally posted by CULWULLA
the podium is basically a concrete bunker designed to hold a future tower!

This tower should rise quickly once approved.

every thing on the Pitt street side is open and nothing looked closed to me apart from like 2 shops
I think we are getting ahead of out selfs here

Same as what I have seen.

Originally posted by Trances
I think we are getting ahead of out selfs here True. It's Just that there's some wishful thinkers who would like to fantasize and that's just people with their passions. If you're a skyscraper/archtiecture 'fan', it's hard to keep it under control for some.....however.....

......I heard that cranes were being hoisted onto the site next week.

......I heard that cranes were being hoisted onto the site next week

can I ask where you heard this from?

It hasn't even been approved yet unless they are preparing to start construction as soon as the tower is approved.

My mate works in Hobbyco (on the top floor). Great shop for hobbies stuff. There's a really big & cool train display too.
Anyway, he know nothing about this whole redvelopment and he's pretty sure Hobbyco isn't moving anywhere or closing too soon.

Originally posted by smeghead
My mate works in Hobbyco (on the top floor). Great shop for hobbies stuff. There's a really big & cool train display too.
Anyway, he know nothing about this whole redvelopment and he's pretty sure Hobbyco isn't moving anywhere or closing too soon.
yeah it has a great train display. almost as good as mine!lol
we call hobbyco, -robbyco! its so damn expensive its not funny!
The planner is away thats taking care of this DA so i have to wait til she returns.

There is the likelyhood that the shopping centre could remain open when the tower is under construction. Some areas may be affected at times.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
yeah it has a great train display. almost as good as mine!lol
we call hobbyco, -robbyco! its so damn expensive its not funny!
The planner is away thats taking care of this DA so i have to wait til she returns.

Ok, where are some cheaper places to get the diecast aircrafty that I like to collect?

Originally posted by Bulwara
can I ask where you heard this from? You forgot to add the word "praytell".

Put the sentence "I heard that cranes were being hoisted onto the site next week" into context with the previous posts and my accompanying statement, read between the lines and you will easily have the answer :) It's not so cryptic.

Originally posted by smeghead
Ok, where are some cheaper places to get the diecast aircrafty that I like to collect?

It's actually one of the cheaper places to buy them. You would need $50 to buy them at the airport. You only need $30 to buy them from hobbyco.

Its around $25-30 for Airbuses & Boeings 767 or smaller at scale of 1:500 and $30-40 for 747s. I've got a special edition Qnatas 747-400 with Aboriginal Art. Retailed about $55 but me mate (who works there) got it for me for $40. :D

Apparently CULWULLA has some inside info. that the Mid-City Centre Tower will commence next year.

Please share the inside info. with us CULS, puuuhhhhhlease. All confidentially kept here on the site of course ;) .

Originally posted by Muse
Apparently CULWULLA has some inside info. that the Mid-City Centre Tower will commence next year.

Please share the inside info. with us CULS, puuuhhhhhlease. All confidentially kept here on the site of course ;) .
lol, it was just something the planner told me recently about this DA. She said this one will go ahead next year. The comp will happen soon with the DA lodged either before Xmas or early in New Year!

Good idea they are having a competition. I don't want another boxy building along George St.

latest news! Its going residential!!
the podium will stay retail of course, next 15 floors-office, top 15 floors apartments!!
model will be in soon with DA!

MOre Aparements
LIke we could not see this was going to happen

ahahahahaha Fabian and Muse are going to cry;)

You fools !!!!

THIS IS A TRAGEDY!!!

I REALLY WANTED THIS OFFICE TOWER TO GO AHEAD IN FULL. IT WAS IN A SUCH A PRIME POSITION FOR IT TO GO AHEAD.

:bleep:

Originally posted by Fabian
You fools !!!!

THIS IS A TRAGEDY!!!

I REALLY WANTED THIS OFFICE TOWER TO GO AHEAD. IT WAS IN A SUCH A PRIME POSITION FOR IT TO GO AHEAD.

:bleep:
did you read my post?? its only 50% apartments. the rest is office!!! who cares if its office or apartments? Its a 500footer! and will probably start early next year! you can only go with what the market is indicating fab! if office the sector is lagging well build apartments! simple!

Well said Culwulla my thoughts exactly:cool:

The office sector has been doing quite well in Sydney in recent times with reasonably good demand, but I'm not happy with the fact that even part of the tower will be apartments.

EEEEEEErrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Fabian get with the reality of Markets if you cannot find a tenant to pre lease the building,the Banks will not lend the money for contruction.Its the way it is.


DEAL WITH IT FOR F##KS SAKE.:bleep: :mad:

More Mixed Used Towers for Sydney is also another good trend

Mixed tower should be fine.....Just build it! :D I expect a top-class design as this is such a prime site! :cool:

Yeah A x 3!!Originally posted by Sydguy1
ahahahahaha Fabian and Muse are going to cry;) Well, seeing it's going to be 50%, I'll only 50% cry :)

As long as it's good architecture, go ahead. I just don't care for lots of concrete balconies jutting out which seems to be a prerequisite for (most) city apartment buildings to be DA approved.

The more NIMBY's in the city the better I say - so that they can oppose plans for lots of new tall buildings around them.

Get mah drift?

This is bloody great news!

That's the story of Sydney right there.......a proposal gets approved and the dynamics of the market means that it bloody well gets built FAST meaning more ( and exciting) supply around the corner !
The fact that there will be less commercial space in the tower is another bonus because it won't 'cannibalise' other potential commercial projects in the short to medium term.

Correct me if I'm wrong but there's now pretty much NO large ( +35 to 40,000sq m) office projects either mooted, proposed or approved in the Sydney CBD ??
Given this, expect to see a number of commercial DA's coming into Culwulla over the next 12 months as developers set themselves for the next constuction cycle, which will be pretty healthy if you listen to property advisers who have Sydney CBD as the most bullish in Australia in the short to medium term.
Don't forget that the Sydney CBD alone has averaged 120,000 sqm of NET ABSORBTION of office space per year over the last 12 years. This compares to Melbourne's piddly 33,000 and Brisbane's 23,000!

Developers have been VERY BUSY over the last few years buying up property 'parcels' in the CBD in readiness for a large tower. I remain confident of atleast another 4 to 5 500 foot office towers being built sooner rather than later. I am cautiously optimistic.....
:guns1: :guns1: :guns1:

That’s one thing that annoys me. People who come to the city, move in, and then complain about city life. Too many civil liberties in world today if you ask me. While there is a inherit risk that every residential development many have this negative impact on the surrounding developments there is also the case that demand for office will have make vertical compensations if office continues to be centralized in the CBD. Also with this increase far beyond the current number of residents we can hopeful expect a rise in the retail in the city. I saw a cartoon last year I think with a guy leaving his front door to unit saying to wife :”Hun just going out to the suburbs to get some shopping”. So this growth may happen but will take many years to come about. Still we have the mixed use of this tower which will bring this type of thing more often.

I am quite interested see how the Peak and their opposition to the changes and additions to Westfield’s Centerpoint podium. Have to see what out come is. Any other cases of residents that have lost or won to keep their open views.

Originally posted by Muse
The more NIMBY's in the city the better I say - so that they can oppose plans for lots of new tall buildings around them.Also the State Government seems hell-bent on refusing to provide and add to the inner city and downtown transport systems to cope with aaaaaaaaaaall the new residents.

Hopefully this will change after the opening of the Cross City Tunnel for downtown Sydney @ least.

(Personally I think the more the merrier).

not sure if ive told anyone but CITY ONE is now proposed to have a retail base, bottom half of office and top half -apartments!
I think a "mixed use" devlopment is the way to go!
Your pretty right spaz, theres now NO planned or approved skyscrapers in the CBD which is office use. except the 25st/90m 120 Goulburn st and of course 152m/35st Kindersley hs.

This "new trend' of half office half resi is ensuring that years down the track the office sector will need some BIG ONES to come on line!

Doesn't Cityone also have hotel?

And Trances I agree about shopping in the suburbs. If you want to shop at a proper supermarket for example, you have to travel into the suburbs for example Broadway at Glebe/Ultimo.

Also some of the shops you find in the suburbs you cannot find in the CBD, which is a disappointment.

Now, because of the higher FSR allowance for residential developments is there any chance of this being taller? I expect Pitt Street mall overshadowing would be an issue here, right?

Thats what ever I think when towers goes res ! Add the height !

Originally posted by CULWULLA

This "new trend' of half office half resi is ensuring that years down the track the office sector will need some BIG ONES to come on line!

Wait and see. Maybe office development will move out to the burbs. Especially Parramatta goddamit!!!

i Second that !

Originally posted by smeghead
Wait and see. Maybe office development will move out to the burbs. Especially Parramatta goddamit!!!

It's already moving into the suburbs with big developments out in Parramatta, Rhodes and Norwest.

nah that gonna happen. You cant beat the city for 'real' companies. I mean companies need a prestigous address, also need the stock exchange close by, need clients close by and of course need a central location for all workers to meet. Suburbs cant provide that..although i do see more start up and such starting in the burbs.

Its a bit like asking Microsoft, would you like to have an office in Fort Worth or Dallas?
Real companies sure... But small-medium businesses will flock to the place. Anyways, any Parramatta office is likely to be labelled 'Sydney office'. :D
What about in Canberra? Is it really that much better to have an office in Civic rather than Woden, Tuggeranong, or Belconnen.

(On the other hand, you might argue that the realtionship of town centres in Cnaberra offers no comparison to the dominance-dependence relationship of sattelite cities of the Sydney metro area.)

Originally posted by zulu69
nah that gonna happen. You cant beat the city for 'real' companies. I mean companies need a prestigous address, also need the stock exchange close by, need clients close by and of course need a central location for all workers to meet. Suburbs cant provide that..although i do see more start up and such starting in the burbs.

In this day and age of economic rationalisation, the cheaper rents of the suburbs are becoming more and more attractive to plenty of major companies!

At the moment, the weak rental market is keeping a lot of big companies in the CBD because of rental incentives and the fact that the tenants are calling the shots...but obviously the cycle will roll around before too long and the CBD rents will be skyrocketing again! That's when a lot of the companies do move out.

BUT, you will always see the top-notch multi-nationals with head offices in the CBD, and you will always see the financial/insurance/law sectors focussed in the Sydney CBD. As you mentioned zulu, because of the stock exchange and also because of the major courthouses!

The companies that have been moving to the suburbs are government agencies, companies that work closely with their distribution services (IT and computer companies, large scale retail administration i.e. Woolworths, Nestle), telecommunication companies (they're all on the North shore), freight and airline offices (which have been centralising in Mascot), companies that don't have a lot of face-to-face client contact (i.e. call centres, back office admin.) and more I'm sure that I can't think of at the moment. :)

But there's no two ways about it - the Sydney CBD just doesn't have the future development capacity to keep on expanding to meet demand! The suburban offices will continue to increase in importance over time.

Originally posted by smeghead
Its a bit like asking Microsoft, would you like to have an office in Fort Worth or Dallas?



Well where do you think Microsoft's Sydney HQ are? Or for that matter IBM, or a heap of multinational pharmaceutical companies?

Fine. Replace 'Microsoft' with come law, accounting or finance firm.
Besides that was a genralisation. there are always exceptions.

well had a "quick" glance at comp designs for 420 george st and we are in for a "landmark" tower!!!!
Remembering the height of the tower is limited to 135m roof, most designs had wonderful architectural features that pushed the heights to over 150m!
crones looked cool with a large silver blade attached to southern wall reaching 152m with a spire totalling 180m!
others had crown tops aka- hongkong fin centre. Very modern/futuristic designs indeed!
cant wait for winning design to be abnnounced next week. ill keep you informed.
cheers

Sounds very promising! :cool:

Originally posted by AltiusAltiusAltius
Sounds very promising! :cool:

I second that! 180m sounds bloody awesome. Now all that remains is to pick a winner and build the damn thing.

You excite me Cul with that news. It's about time this part of town got such a scraper, world class in terms in design, as suggested by the descriptions given so far.

well heres an exclusive! this is one of the 5 comp entrants in 420 Pitt st design.
All designs are approx 130m to roof + plant which can reach 146m.
The CRONE design rises to 138m plantroom and has a beautiful glass blade on southern wall reaching 151m high. A spire is attached totalling 176m. This is of course just an early concept, it might not win but it was one of the best. The colour pic was more accurate. silver blue colour glass, very shmick!

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/232900.jpg

the large glass blade looks superb!reaching 500ft!!!

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/232902.jpg

IMO This render looks good. With the southern facing glass facade, it would have a reflection of the 'looking-not-so-different' Hilton makeover.

Can't wait to see the other entries, esp. the winning one :)

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/232902.jpg

Thanks for posting them up Cul! I like the design and I think it will fit very nicely... that is, if it wins. I can't wait to see the other designs, but I they would have to be pretty darn good to beat this one.

Shame it ain't taller... doesn't really stand out does it.

Originally posted by fro
Thanks for posting them up Cul! I like the design and I think it will fit very nicely... that is, if it wins. I can't wait to see the other designs, but I they would have to be pretty darn good to beat this one.

Shame it ain't taller... doesn't really stand out does it.
there was another render viewed from cockle ba and it stood out pretty well.
The heights of the bldgs in vicinity are -
comm sec-131m, 388 george st- 144m, 400 george st-138m, Central Plaza-132m,Hilton-131m. So if this goes ahead, the 151m blade will be highest out of the smaller towers especially if spire goes to nearly 180m!

It's a outstanding design for a midsized scraper especially with the blade, which is one of the best I've seen for any scraper, big or small.

It's great to see as well how smaller scrapers can be designed to the standards we would normally see with taller scrapers.

Originally posted by fro
Shame it ain't taller... doesn't really stand out does it. Well, it still hasn't been declared as the winning design as yet. However, if the above design does 'win', it will stand out along the streetscape and perhaps from the inner-city western suburbs.

Not sure I like that one so much sorry kind of plain looking forward to the others more

Not bad at all. Cayon city here we come!!!
Would prefer it with a wedding cake top tho, maybe the other entries have that? Anyways if this wins i'll be happy (which is the main thing about this forum is right?-> to please zulu69 at all costs!!)

Originally posted by Trances
Not sure I like that one so much sorry kind of plain looking forward to the others more

Well, in the black and white renderings it does look pretty plain I guess...but I think the materials could really make this buildings - not that I know that, but the glass fin at the top will look pretty cool and the silver blue main torso of the tower would look great too I think!

Anyway, I would be happy with this, but still looking forward to seeing the other proposals! :)

Originally posted by finn
Anyway, I would be happy with this, but still looking forward to seeing the other proposals! :) Indeed finn, we wait with anitcipation to see the other proposals, for sure.

Originally posted by finn
Well, in the black and white renderings it does look pretty plain I guess...

That was my initial impression of the tower, when I first saw it. I was nearly disappointed by it, but it was the blade that saved it from being plain.

But when you look at the model, iyou realise it could of looked even worse.

But hey Fabian, we are still looking forward to the other 4 proposals.

Cul, any news on the other entries?

Originally posted by fro
Cul, any news on the other entries?
looks like bates Smart might get job! There one is similar to the one i posted . It has twin blades , one rising up south face and north face up to 145m high. no spire.
nice blue glass facade!

Two blades would make it a real standout, even if I think having blades on opposite sides makes it look a bit whacky.

And is it possible, if we can have more details about the three or so other proposals for the site.

That blue glass facade sounds very nice. Light blue I hope, like cyan blue.

Originally posted by Fabian
Two blades would make it a real standout, even if I think having blades on opposite sides makes it look a bit whacky.

And is it possible, if we can have more details about the three or so proposals for the site.
well one design had a lot of cross bracing up the tower -aka John Hancock. Another had a big curved element which was a separate structure rising up the whole eastern face.spectacular!
project architecture-who won comp for 720 george st, had a simple tower 145m high but topped with a central spire ..wait for it...... 100m high!! totalling 245m! lol! it looked good but insane at same time!
anyway we will have to see in Jan/Feb when DA is lodged.

Bring on Jan/Feb next year when hopefully DA Stage 1 is lodged
- way overdue :bleep:

Originally posted by CULWULLA
-who won comp for 720 george st, had a simple tower 145m high but topped with a central spire ..wait for it...... 100m high!! totalling 245m! lol! it looked good but insane at same time!


You sure the architect wasn't Avatar?
Actually, looking at the Crone renders again; I think this design would be pretty hard to top. Ah well, we'll soon see this double finned thingy.

Originally posted by fro
You sure the architect wasn't Avatar?
Actually, looking at the Crone renders again; I think this design would be pretty hard to top. Ah well, we'll soon see this double finned thingy. Apologies fro. Are you talking about 420 or 720 George Street? Either way, LOL about Avatar being the architect, bless his dear soul :D

"You sure the architect wasn't Avatar?"
Thanks I am flattered. I'd have to say I am more impressed with this proposal than some of the proposals about town.

"Are you talking about 420 or 720 George Street? "
Yeah why don't I do both, who can stope at at one?

In latest issue of Aa (Architecture Australia):
"A Design Excellence Competition is underway for the addition of a thirty-storey tower and basement carparking to Harry Seidler's Mid City Centre (1982). The work will need to be undertaken while maintaining the operation of the shopping centre. Shortlisted practices are Project Architecture, Bates Smart, PTW, Lyons and Crone Nation."

Aside: in same issue is the news that Bob Nation has left Crone Nation "to practise on his own." That's the 4th change of association in almost as many years to my knowledge.

the comp winner went to council last and the approval is set for next week! looks like Bates Smart's design is the agreed one.
Its a liight green all glass scraper with glass blades extending up north and south faces.
The top of glass blades are 138m.
Im pretty sure this is also a mixed use tower now. office bottom and top floors resi!

When will we get to see renderings?

Originally posted by Sydguy1
When will we get to see renderings?

soon! ;)

:( why green? what ever happened to light blue or silver glass?

Originally posted by Avatar
:( why green? what ever happened to light blue or silver glass?
green is the new black! lol
i must say blue and silver are very 90's.
just think of the new popular colour with architects-
World tower.
latitude
Cassia Garden
.
I think BT Tower and KENS will be mostly silver.

Sydney always misses out on the best years for design trends. LOL I am unimpressed! :colgate:

heres pix of comp model-

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

as viewed from Pitt st mall

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

Wow.

Nice! :okay:

If only the blades were a little taller like the CRONE design - but overall, I like it.

The Podium looks interesting, and the set-backs fron Pitt Street are nice.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
heres pix of comp model-

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

as viewed from Pitt st mall

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

Simple, sheer, reasonable height/size....

Could be very nice if done properly & Bates Smart (The Melburnian, N.S.W. Police Centre @ Parramatta) usually do things as such. They like using expanses of glass :)

Very nice! Reminds me somewhat of 363 George St, designed by DCM - that was very in vogue for the time it was built (and it still a great tower IMHO), and this one looks very much the style and fashion of a mid-rise scraper designed for the current design trends! :)

So what are the Stats:

Commercial Space
Number of Apartments
Builder/Developer
When is the expected start date.Does it have to get the office space leased before it be constucted or if they sell enough of the spartments it can start?:D :colgate: :dizzy:

Originally posted by Sydguy1
So what are the Stats:

Commercial Space
Number of Apartments
Builder/Developer
When is the expected start date.Does it have to get the office space leased before it be constucted or if they sell enough of the spartments it can start?:D :colgate: :dizzy:
well not sure yet. I know that the first floors are office use and upper floors are apartments.
i think its too early for appointing builder ect.
I reckon it will sell quite well.Its location is fab!
can you get any more centre of the city???
right on george st and pitt st mall!

Excellent design for it's location. I'm impressed with the setbacks from the Pitt St mall and their ability to maintain the rectanglar shape. The blades atop the tower are just right and top out the tower well and a small increase in the blades height couldn't go astray. It's interesting to note too the retail facade in the existing complex is set to change, but I cannot say whether the new look will fit in well with the scraper.

Originally posted by Fabian
Excellent design for it's location. I'm impressed with the setbacks from the Pitt St mall and their ability to maintain the rectanglar shape. The blades atop the tower are just right and top out the tower well and a small increase in it's height couldn't go astray. It's interesting to note too the retail facade in the existing complex is set to change, but I cannot say whether the new look will fit in well with the scraper.
the site was limited to 130m to roof BUT could go a futher 20m with architectural feature! Its a shame Bates Smart didnt take advantage of this and extend the blades or features to 150m!!
Maybe there thinking about costs? to them its just more $ which they dont need to spend!

I love the chosen design. It reeks of sophistication :D

Totally agree with you fro i.e "It reeks of sophistication." Bates Smart will certainly deliver as they have a proven track record, both in Sydney (i.e. Parramatta's N.S.W. Police HQ) and Melbourne (The Melburnian Apartments on St Kilda Road and Assoc. architects on Melbourne Central's office tower).

:master: Thank the gods for Bates Smart! :master:

If the beloved :? Crone design had have been chosen, IMO we would have ended up with a reflection of the not so significantly changed Hilton Hotel tower northen facade reflection - double-trouble (not disounting its long awaited improved podiums).

...

i agree muse. Did i ever mention the PROJECT architects design? It was a nice 130m glass tower topped with a 90m central spire!!
total-220m! lol
I like the Bates Smart design. it has a white coloured stepped form at northern face and centrally located sheer glass walling over most of site. This is only 136m or so ,so not much of a skyline changer but if it was being built in Adelaide it would be there new tallest!!
bldgs of 130-160m now get lost in Sydney's cityscape. I think a bldg start to "stand out" when it reaches 180m-200m in Sydney. this is what we need more of? Our next "big one" will be the 188m JBoyd apartments.I mean a bldg that will block out most of Citibank from the east must be impressive in size!

Depite it height it will still fill the Gap
Giving sydney more density at least from the street scape
Rather umimpressed with the desgin just standard
( Although some of things we have seen it could have been worse)
But was not really expecting a landmark tower
so this a good choice

What is the latest buzz on this one?

no buzz. patience

http://www2.arnes.si/~ljekos/George%20Michael%20-%20Patience.jpg

Bates Smart is all you have to say for me to be content. I'll doubly confirm Muses post in saying that they certainly did deliver with The Melburnian and the police HQ at Paramatta. Should this go ahead, it will be slick.

My only concern is that if this greatly designed tower goes ahead is the residents on the northern side of The Tower will try to halt it going ahead!!

Damn them and their precious views :bleep:

But 420 George St has just gotta go ahead - it's just gotta go ahead I tells ya!

...

muse they cant stop it going ahead! the stage 1 building envelope was approved 6 years ago! this means that residents surrounding the proposal are told about the impending development.they all probably got a letter saying a 130m tower is approved for the site and will be erected in near future.
speaking of, hopefully the DA will come in soon.

O.K. then. That sounds good to me (and I'm sure other forumers too).

Its a nice design ...... another much needed gap filler in this part of town.

muse they cant stop it going ahead! the stage 1 building envelope was approved 6 years ago! this means that residents surrounding the proposal are told about the impending development.they all probably got a letter saying a 130m tower is approved for the site and will be erected in near future.
speaking of, hopefully the DA will come in soon.

HA HA to those NIMBY's!!!! :D They will still live.
Thank goodness the SCC have laid the framework to ensure we get a biggie on this one.

will lodge DA soon.

^ fab, theres was never a 190m tower planned for site. it has always had a 135m hieght limit imposed on site. It can have arch feature or spire above to 150m apprx.

This was in the plans a year ago or more. Whats gion on

the DA will be lodged next week with new model! Bates Smart are arcs!! should be good.

New model? Was the one that won the comp altered?? Or rejected?? Lets just start this thing!! Should do nicely!!

oh news after being dead for so long !

the current model is a stage 1 block model which indicates the towers height and bulk.Now the stage 2 DA comes in as a detailed application. Im pretty sure theres a 135m height limit to roof and then you can have a arc feature on top if want. BAtes Smart always deliver. unsure of use? maybe mix of office and units? soon find out.

BIG NEWS!!! The official DA has been lodged today. The new 34storey office tower is to be 140m high to twin blades. (132m roof). The existing podium will be guttered and refurbed. there will be 6 basement carparking levels dug out under existing structure on George st. There will be 7,000sqm of retail + 43,000sqm of office space.
Architects- BATES SMART
reminds me of 333 George st.?
avatar will be happy, its all glass!
new renders>>
George st
http://img201.exs.cx/img201/4581/midcity20dz.jpg

pitt st mall
http://img89.exs.cx/img89/3363/midcity14lz.jpg

some of interior
http://img232.exs.cx/img232/2575/midcityinside3eu.jpg

model location
http://img232.exs.cx/img232/3714/midcitymodels2vp.jpg

Sssssssssssexy on the outside, that's for sure! I do wish it was more like QV inside the base (retail).

Still, I'll take it with both hands. :)

On another note, there are a lot of sandstone/faux sandstone base facades roughly at the same height and bulk to this one on George Street now, aren't there? It's bringing some continuity to George Street, rather than the dogs breakfast it was up to a few years ago.

http://www.follycot.co.uk/breakfast_pic/dogs.jpg

hahah @ dogs breakfast..

btw, the final design looks GREAT!! Nice to see some glass about the place, and the retail section looks quite impressive too!! This should be a nice (if low-rise) addition this part of the city, something that Sydney's getting a little too good at :lol:

Looks great and about time. More office towers is always my cup of tea.

nice on the outside, hope this keeps up interesting look. inside just looks like a normal westfield, which i guess works, and will do much better then current, trying to get to rebel sport there is a pain in the ass, so no complaints!

It looks great - but what's the next step? Clover's refusal?

its already approved as height /bulk/shape ect years ago. it just has to go thru formal process. apparently it might start this year.,

That is bloody marvellous!

I love it

Another office tower to add to the list. Looks like a new construction cycle is ready to start. Seems like all the new office (and Foster's res) buildings are all full of glass. -Has Avatar got some influence on the design panel?? ;)-. Its a nice addition. And with JB and the new Westfield 150m, 'midtown' will definately beef up. I do wish this was 180m tho, maybe once all the room in the CBD has gone, SCC will be forced to increase FSR...we will see.

Has Avatar got some influence on the design panel??

LOL all I can say it's who you know and not what you know.

Yes this is impressive and a great addition to the city!

AWESOME RENDERINGS! :)

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/4581/midcity20dz.jpg

pitt st mall
http://img89.exs.cx/img89/3363/midcity14lz.jpg

some of interior
http://img232.exs.cx/img232/2575/midcityinside3eu.jpg

I love how it straddles up comfortably against 400 George (Telstra). 400 needs a pal.

I also like how it is going to block certain views for those spoilt brats in The Tower....and they cannot stop this one.

Bates Smart only do quality buildings too. Hooray!!

Excellent, another office tower for Sydney :) It's a good design with the blades a nice feature even though it would of been awesome to have taller blades. I'm also impressed with the plans for the shopping centre (given I wasn't expecting anything to be done to it and brings it to the standard of major complexes ie Westfield Bondi Junction & Chatswood. The proposed simple layout is a big improvement on now as well. It can be a bit tough getting around at present particularly if you have to move between levels.

I'm surprised Westfield hasn't tried to buy this shopping centre out too... so the refurb can be incorporated into their total makeover of the Pitt St Megamall!

oh that look excerllent

pic of detailed model today
http://img119.exs.cx/img119/3363/midcitymodel1za.jpg

CULL what are the opening hours for the model room?

Hehe, it's even closer to The Tower than I thought!! Hooray!

pete- 8;15am - 6pm

BTW CULWULLA. What are the next steps for this one? Just as far as you can tell.

the DA goes to CSPC soon and it will then be passed in as approved. then i reckon developers will start to advertise its office space and see how its greeted.

no major complaints form near by residents yet

That tower looks great sandwiched in between the hotel over Myers and also 400 George Street. It will add more density to this block fronting both Pitt & George Sts. :)

Yeah from Street level it should quite big. The telstra building next to it looks huge from the street. Dense is what this area will be with this tower. AND we have to remember the 150m+ tower from Westfield. Pitt St mall should be wall st in a couple of years.

hopefully

From that angle, the model has a real "KENS" feel about it....

Compare this with below... (credit Cul from KENS part 1)

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

pic of detailed model today
http://img119.exs.cx/img119/3363/midcitymodel1za.jpg

What does Harry Seidler think about this one?

I love density!

http://img119.exs.cx/img119/3363/midcitymodel1za.jpg

no major complaints form near by residents yet
From page 7:

...they cant stop it going ahead! the stage 1 building envelope was approved 6 years ago! this means that residents surrounding the proposal are told about the impending development.they all probably got a letter saying a 130m tower is approved for the site and will be erected in near future.

just think, those 12 or so scrapers surrounding sydney tower all range from 120-140m. thats 12x tallest buildings in Adelaide (Santos) in 2 city blocks. yes pretty dense.

I don't usually compare Sydney to New York but in this case, that part of George St is reminding me of The Avenue of The Americas. All uniform height and pretty tall. Except Sydney's is much, much more interesting architecturally.

^true as all my friends from NY think the same

A render of the Mid City Centre tower is included in a hardcover book titled Bates Smart: 150 Years of Australian Architecture, published in 2004 by Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0500500142, RRP: $AUD95.00...

It's right towards the end, just before the index section.

http://www.archmedia.com.au/resources/aa/2005/01/images/060101.jpg

...

Will it have a spire? Oh i love spires!

Will it have a spire? Oh i love spires!No it won't Matixvolta. See the renders on the last couple of pages of this thread.

This building looks so much like Latitude

As expected residents of The Tower are whinging over the tower blocking their views. Even retailers are worried about the impact of construction on trade.

From The Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au)

Residents rage against 33-storey Pitt St tower
By Bonnie Malkin
March 26, 2005

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Part of the Mid City Centre will be demolished and replaced by a 130-metre-tall retail and office block, under plans for Pitt Street Mall that have retailers and residents worried.

A development application to overhaul the prime CBD site between George Street and the Pitt Street pedestrian mall was lodged with Sydney City Council this month.

As well as the demolition of an eight-storey office block and the construction of a 33-storey commercial tower, the $83.5 million plan includes underground parking for 139 cars, a seven-metre roof feature, two sandstone facades and a nine-storey atrium.

"The plan is to realise the potential for a commercial tower and remodelling of the Mid City Centre," said Brian Pickering, a spokesman for the developer, City Freehold. "We want to bring the centre into this century."

Shops in the centre, which was built in 1982 and is part of one of the world's most lucrative shopping strips, will remain open during construction, but the centre's tenants would have to agree to the proposal before work could begin, he said.

Advertisement
AdvertisementNews of the application comes days after the Herald reported that the property giant Westfield was set to scrap plans to build two residential skyscrapers next to Centrepoint Tower.

Lawyers for Westfield ended a year-long legal action against the City of Sydney Council in the Land and Environment Court last week over the residential towers, but are expected to put forward even more elaborate plans for the site in the near future.

It is understood Westfield dropped plans for the towers in the wake of community and business opposition.

City lobby groups have already voiced fears over the impact the Mid City revamp will have.

The redevelopment had the potential to greatly disrupt retailers and residents of Pitt Street Mall, said Duncan Shaw, president of Concerned Residents and Businesses Against CBD Overdevelopment.

The proposed 33-storey office block would obscure views from the Tower Apartments, said Joseph Braysich, a resident.

"It absolutely devastated us where we are. The top units all have views to the north and to the Harbour Bridge but now all we will see is this bloody tower.

"There has been a lack of consultation and I think council should insist on consultation with the people who are going to be most affected."

The council was keen to approve good developments in the city, the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said. "Every development application we receive is subject to the same planning controls to ensure good, sustainable development across the city."

A verdict on the application is expected this year.
_______________________________________________________________

And may I say to Mr Braysich and fellow residents that he lives in the CBD and highrise development is the norm in his part of the world. It's not going to be the end of the world either for him. His life and those of fellow residents won't be changed by the construction of the tower one bit. As for property prices, i'm sure the demand for the CBD apartments over time will mean that he'll get a good return on them.

And as for not being consulted- haven't you heard of submitting submissions to council!!!!

^ you have got to be joking!!! the bloody DA for the City centre dates back to 1990! way before Tower apartments were ever built! what friggin nimbys! how dare they winge about a 30storey office tower in the centre of a major CBD! "might ruin there views to the north"? woopydo! theres no way the council will reject this project. it will cause too much trouble.
The tower envelope has been approved countless times. its set back now from Pitt mall and its height restricted to 130m.(roof).400 george st blocks most views north anyhow.
too bad residents of the tower..
lol
wait til Westfield lodge the DA for the 40storey on Imperial arcade site. see how far they get with rejecting that one. not far at all.
these CBD residents how to realize they live in the centre of a friggin CBD!!!
jeezus

I'm actualy suprised Frank and Steven havent come in and 'spoken' to the Tower Residents and Clover about Westfield Centerpoint by now.

Anyway, isn't the tower ontop of Westfield?

^ the twin towers that were planned for atop Centrepoint podium have been rightly dumped. Westfield have bought the sites next door (Impreial arcade,Skygarden) and will now build a tower of 150m+ on that site. council much prefer this option!

I wouldn't mind looking at this beautiful wall every day. Tough luck nimbys! :D

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/3363/midcity14lz.jpg

Nimby numbfucks. They should paint a mural of their former view on the blank wall, just to piss them off.

http://img174.exs.cx/img174/5499/nimbyville3nn.jpg
^ you have got to be joking!!! the bloody DA for the City centre dates back to 1990! way before Tower apartments were ever built! what friggin nimbys! how dare they winge about a 30storey office tower in the centre of a major CBD! "might ruin there views to the north"? woopydo! theres no way the council will reject this project. it will cause too much trouble.
The tower envelope has been approved countless times. its set back now from Pitt mall and its height restricted to 130m.(roof).400 george st blocks most views north anyhow.
too bad residents of the tower..
lol
wait til Westfield lodge the DA for the 40storey on Imperial arcade site. see how far they get with rejecting that one. not far at all.
these CBD residents how to realize they live in the centre of a friggin CBD!!!
jeezus

LOL. Had to know it was coming...

Welcome to Sydney, home of the NIMBY. *sigh*

Nimby numbfucks. They should paint a mural of their former view on the blank wall, just to piss them off.It won't be a blank wall. It will be reflective glass as shown in the render below. The residents of The Tower will be able to see themselves in the reflection and ask "Who are those wankers?....Oh, it's us!"

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/4581/midcity20dz.jpg

Not only does 400 George St block the nimby numbfucks' partial views to the north already, but so would Commsec Tower @ 363 George Street.

http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:luZiRYmRsygJ:http://www.simpsons-ar.com.ar/multimedia/imagenes/mini_nelson03.gif haha!!

I have a feeling that unit owners in The Tower will not totally lose their views to the north as the proposed tower has been set back from Pitt St Mall and rises from George Street instead as seen in Cul's model. It looks like the views directly to the north will be retained, it's just to the north west they may lose their views. It may not be the end of the world after all.

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

The Tower from King Street is still fairly visible with the proposed tower not in the way. From further down Pitt Street we may not even be able to see it (Mid City Centre) at all. It only backs my point further.

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/3363/midcity14lz.jpg

but think about the multi-millionaires guys, when they are sipping their johnny walker blue label, watching the sun set, when they turn their head, north north west they may have lost part of their view :(

Fabian raises some excellent points. As usual the nimbys fire off complaints without looking at the proposal properly.

To have the resident saying that all they'll see is that "bloody tower" - Hello? You're in the middle of the CBD, it is inevitable that they will be built in.

They should have bought on the CBD fringe overlooknig the domain or Darling Harbour - then you have some surity - but when you are slap bang in the very middle of the CBD - and then you cry over a building next door - that takes the cake!

i never see ppl who live in these scrapers looking out there windows anyway, what are they whining about!!!!!!!!

i never see ppl who live in these scrapers looking out there windows anyway, what are they whining about!!!!!!!!

I think then that we can all agree that this is NIMBYism for the sake of it. Which never achieves anything.

NIMBYism is at times warranted, but most of the time it should be brushed aside.

^agree

No sympathy for these coddled residents who seem to think their tower is transparent and doesn't interfere with anyone else's view. They live in a concrete tower, frchissakes!
And Cul is correct about the plans for the tower being in place for yonks. In fact, the current arcade building was designed originally by Harry Seidler, with a 28 storey tower above it. When was the arcade designed? Someone is living in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks this is something new.

Trouble is, I like that scraper's design yet every time I look at it, I just want to do nasty things to its residents. No, like really evil stuff for their elitism and hypocrisy.

...

where abouts in the City planning rules does it say that the preservation of someones views can over ride the stated high limits/FSR for a site ???
I would think that someone complaining about losing views would be laughed out of the council chambers.....
These pricks in the apartment tower are trying to talk about the "general overbuilding in the CBD" as a way to try to sway council which is completely baseless

A comment such as "general overbuilding in the CBD" is emotional self-justification based on no evidence but it makes the speaker think s/he sounds informed, justified and "reasonable". So, would that also include their own tower?
Perhaps, then, following that line of reasoning, they should set the example and have themselves demolished in the interest of reducing the "general overbuilding" allegedly so afflicting the CBD.
Fat chance! Imagine the howls then!

^great point

It is a good point. That's what is elitist about the whole thing. They want their cake and eat it too.

What makes them so special? Why are they robbing others of getting a chance to live in that part of town (whether you liked it or not, the Westfield podium tower plan). Why are they stopping workers from being able to work in town and putting pressure on other CBDs to build in their areas?

Arghhhh!

I agree, let them pull down their own tower to set a premise for their own agenda.

Don't forget CRABACO's (Crabbyco lol) web site address to lodge your protest (I have): http://www.crabaco.com/

...

I think CRABCO is taking things a bit too far. They had every right to protest against the Centrepoint redevelopment (even though their arguments were flawed). but to protest against every development in the CBD that will inconvience their views or business is simply stupid. they have to realise that there will have to be construction projects from time to time and it's a normal feature of being in the city.

As for overdevelopment of the CBD. That is stupid. It's not like Milsons Point where scrapers are only a metre or two apart from each other. There are still parts of the CBD that in my view are "underdeveloped" and need some development to get it going. Also they have to realise that the CBD is running out of space to develop and the only way to go is up!!!

Cant Westfield pull down the tower anyway? It's ontop of their center.

More so, it seems CRABACO may not be a not for profit orginisation... Or maybee thats to help balance the cost of adverts and Lowy's and Mores lawyers... http://www.crabaco.com/index.php?id=18

Cant Westfield pull down the tower anyway? It's ontop of their center.

More so, it seems CRABACO may not be a not for profit orginisation... Or maybee thats to help balance the cost of adverts and Lowy's and Mores lawyers... http://www.crabaco.com/index.php?id=18

They could pull it down if they wanted but it's a Sydney icon. Sydneysiders would chain themselves to the tower should Westfield ever dare pull it down.

& Crabco is definately a non profit organisation. The Membership fees etc fund the costs of operating the organisation (including their campgains), just like other non profit organisations like Greenpeace.

he was talking about "the Tower" not Sydney tower

It is a good point. That's what is elitist about the whole thing. They want their cake and eat it too.

What makes them so special? Why are they robbing others of getting a chance to live in that part of town (whether you liked it or not, the Westfield podium tower plan). Why are they stopping workers from being able to work in town and putting pressure on other CBDs to build in their areas?

Arghhhh!

I agree, let them pull down their own tower to set a premise for their own agenda.

Don't forget CRABACO's (Crabbyco lol) web site address to lodge your protest (I have): http://www.crabaco.com/

...

thanks for that web site i really needed a laugh this morning.
i'm liking their paranoia quotes!

Recent Quotes

"A massive construction program is ahead"

- SMH, 23 October 2004

More Recent Quotes .......... In Members Only Section

yer i cant belive that these issues keep coming up

we wish they were that tall??
hey wheres 126 Phillip .lol

http://www.crabaco.com/fileadmin/template/main/images/city-top.jpg
dickheads.

id say wankers :weirdo:

What a totally lame website. Love the punctuation errors. Professional!

One would think that behind every corner there is a Nimby ....... Where have all these fuckers come from? ......... and I am being serious. :mad:

Whinging about an office tower in the heart of the city centre is one of the most stupidest things I have ever heard. I can understand about the Westfields project, thats just too much residential in the one spot and the wrong spot, but crying about a office block planned yonks ago is so damn retarded.

Seems to me like Sydney's Nimbys are becoming more ridiculous with each protest. Sorry but this beauty must rise, we've already waited too long for it.

I do like the sequence of similar height towers on this stretch ....... would like to see more of this around Sydney. :)

CRABNO

Concerned
Residents
Against
Bullshit
Nimby
Oldfarts


What do you think lets start our own club :)

How do I join? :D

mail bomb i say

And long ago was mid city planned ?
How long / before the Peak ?
Was not it always set up to a building of set height ? Any one who cared to ask could clearly go and find out what one day would be surrounding the property they would buy ? It not as though it was children’s car park and overnight was rezoned as at 150 meter tower. Of course every one knows this and is just trying to protect their investment. Just how can they have a leg to stand on !
They are stopping and slowing development. The CBD is a resources for the entire city, state, country and Oceanic region. The rights of a few should not hinder the development of the nation. Not that I should even have to use this defense.

^ i dont think they are actaully hindering anything, they are just causing a scene. This will be built no matter what.

CRABNO's First Project: To blow up Myer's City Store under "The Tower"... We'd get rid of two unnatractive pains in the ass at once.

And long ago was mid city planned ?
How long / before the Peak ?
Was not it always set up to a building of set height ? Any one who cared to ask could clearly go and find out what one day would be surrounding the property they would buy ? It not as though it was children’s car park and overnight was rezoned as at 150 meter tower. Of course every one knows this and is just trying to protect their investment. Just how can they have a leg to stand on !
They are stopping and slowing development. The CBD is a resources for the entire city, state, country and Oceanic region. The rights of a few should not hinder the development of the nation. Not that I should even have to use this defense.
when the mid city centre was built in early 80's, it was ment to host a multi-level bldg above. In 1989 a DA was approved for a 35storey office tower.
so the planned development has been around for 16 years!!
The Tower atop Grace bros was built in 1999.and residents knew of proposal.

Might try and contact Bates Smart about this and see if I can get the scoop.

Loving this pic of the model CULWULLA took:

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

Spoke with Bates Smart guy on this 35,000 sq m net lettable space office tower and the DA Stage 2 application was lodged in March, so the developer City Freehold is hoping it will get the final OK in 2-3 months from now.

If all goes "almost" OK applications to modify the DA Stage 2 development consent - Section 96 applications will be necessary.

Then there are the pre-commitments. :|

If all goes swimmingly, City Freehold is hoping to begin construction by September/October this year @ the earliest. If not, by the first quarter of 2006.

Time will tell.

Thats a great scoop Muse! Hopefully it all runs smoothly as I quite like the design via that pic above. :yes:

Thats a great scoop Muse! Hopefully it all runs smoothly as I quite like the design via that pic above. :yes:Cheers!

There are also renders and model in situ posted by CULWULLA on Page 7 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=25011&page=7&pp=20)

latest news
the harry Seidler designed podium will be completely demolished!
(did everyone know harry built the existing poddium?) he always had a tower envisaged above but had to wait for right time.
The podium its now completly useless with the maze inside. the new podium will have a walk through atrium like Hilton for best predestrian access.
The project will commence early 2006.

Nice one! Sod the Nimbys! And Sod the Maze!

To your knowledge CULWULLA, will it be @ this stage, still completely office (hope so) and not mixed use?

Yeah gazmo, screw those NIMBYs in The Tower on Market St!! http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/duck.gif

...

I just forwarded CRABNO an extremely nasty email calling for the abolition of their group. If there is one thing I hate it is Nimbys. Can we have laws passed to outlaw this crazy behaviour?

I suggest everyone do the same.

mail bomb i say

It was suggested to me a neutron bomb in one of their meetings might be more advantageous.

muse, yes just an office tower with retail podium.
just on the nimbys. they had no chance when complaining about this tower. Its 30m from Tower facade while regualtions allow 9m gap.
They were told you cant complain about a office tower planned for the centre of the CBD! ridiculous.

I just forwarded CRABNO an extremely nasty email calling for the abolition of their group. If there is one thing I hate it is Nimbys. Can we have laws passed to outlaw this crazy behaviour?

I suggest everyone do the same.I did months ago Avy.

CULWULLA posted months in another thread that this should start up next year.

Any more news on this CULWULLA....There just has to be!! Even if you've just heard a snippet!!

Also, where does it stand as far as DAs go?

Do CRABNO have a website still?

Do CRABNO have a website still?It's actually CRABACO.

Yes they do unfortunately and their dorksville website is still http://www.crabaco.com

Their email address is:

crabaco@hotmail.com

...and if you go back to page 7 of this thread, CULWULLA mentions that the Tower's residents can't stop this one going ahead and the reason why.

BTW I just sent them another email voicing my objections, rightfully so, to their objectives.

...

I did months ago Avy.

CULWULLA posted months in another thread that this should start up next year.

Any more news on this CULWULLA....There just has to be!! Even if you've just heard a snippet!!

Also, where does it stand as far as DAs go?
muse- the STAGE 2 DA is in atm and will be formerly approved soon. The construction was supposed to be built atop the concrete bunker there now (which is a harryseidler bldg) but engineers have decided best to totally demolish. Demolishment will commence early 2006 and excavations for the 6 basement levels will start soon after. So another office tower project to look forward to in 2006.

so the whole mid-city centre will go?

^ yes. it was built to hold a office tower but engineers have decided to raze the whole structure instead. will add 6 months to construction timeline.

Thats not a bad thing! 6 more months of photos i say! :D

Yay, finally we will see the fab Bates Smart designed tower rise.

The Mid-City shopping complex won't be missed one iota. It certainly ain't nuffin special. The best thing about it is the plethora of neons in the window above facing Pitt St mall. Oh, also the kebabs in the Lebanese take-away in the food hall section. ;)

Instead we can look forward to something akin to this:

http://img232.exs.cx/img232/2575/midcityinside3eu.jpg

Mid City Centre is good for shopping, and I will miss it while it is rebuilt. It has great stores like Rebel Sport, Dick Smith and my favourite store for model planes and trains - Hobbyco. :)
HMV in the basement is great too. Great selection of music & DVD's. Much better than the el compacto sanity stores at Town Hall and Imperial Arcade.
They will make great retailers in the new complex, except I feel a bit concerned about Hobbyco and whether or not they could not afford to stay in the new complex, and where they would relocate to during construction.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to an all new Mid City Centre.

As with all the new CBD shopping mall proposals, I really do hope that they take the opportunity to create flagship stores. For example if HMV relocates back to the Mid City Centre after the new complex is built that they do something a little more innovate. Afterall this is supposed to one of the Australian flagship stores.

I heard that Sanity bought HMV.

Sanity is the scourge of the earth, i despise this chain with every ounce of my being. I pray they dont destroy HMV as some form of respectable CD store.

I go to Sanity store or DJ Hi-Fi. Most of my CDs are imported (German, Holland, UK) so i have to pre-order it from Sanity to get the stuff i want. Bah...CDs are too expensive these days.

I heard that Sanity bought HMV.

Sanity is the scourge of the earth, i despise this chain with every ounce of my being. I pray they dont destroy HMV as some form of respectable CD store.

How true. I despise Sanity too. Would never buy a DVD there.

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/314208/2/Approved_Stamp.jpg

OK, so now the developers test the market.

I go to Sanity store or DJ Hi-Fi. Most of my CDs are imported (German, Holland, UK) so i have to pre-order it from Sanity to get the stuff i want. Bah...CDs are too expensive these days.

OT, but have you considered ordering direct from overseas retailers?

I order alot my CDs and DVDs from the USA, because even with shipping they're comparable or cheaper than the Region 4 equivalent in an Australian store. Also, American CD stores can offer larger range and still have a better price than Australian online music offerings.

OK, so now the developers test the market.

Testing...

(waits patiently)

Testing...



Testing...



oh for crying out loud, just build the bloody thing.

I think the approval only gives them half as many parking spaces as they wanted; hope that doesn't slow things down.

Who said that Sydney was dead???? This is great news :)

I heard that Sanity bought HMV.

Sanity is the scourge of the earth, i despise this chain with every ounce of my being. I pray they dont destroy HMV as some form of respectable CD store.

Sanity is more tied up with Virgin. I was able to use a Sanity gift voucher to buy a DVD at a Virgin Store. :)

I look forward to this development happening.

sort of approved. deferred 3 weeks though
http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/7697/midcityplan2em.jpg

Yeah the glass fins are very much in architetural vogue:

As seen in this Bates Smart model that CULWULLA took a pic of:

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

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/314208/2/Approved_Stamp.jpgHoooooooooooold everything!

Spoke with the project architect @ Bates Smart today and he told me that they have to go back to the CSPC on the 17th Nov. as Dymocks have intervened. Dymocks have concerns about noise, dust, vehicle movements, interruptions to pedestrian traffic, vibrations during excavations etc etc etc.

So basically approval has been defered until the above mentioned date as there will be ammendments to the DA conditions.

The project architect believes that it will work out after some ammendments and compromises with Dymocks.

As far as construction goes, at this stage most of the Pitt St Mall side of the Mid City Centre will stay, whilst the rest will be yoinked down and excavations will commence.

This all being after 10,000 sqm of the lettable 35,000 sqm commercial space in the tower has been pre-commited.

In the meantime.....a few new renders:

Pitt St Mall entrance and the George St tower entrance:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379midcityrender1.jpg__http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379midcityrender2.jpg

...and 2 of the office tower lobby:

____http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379midcityrender3.jpg__http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379midcityrender4.jpg

:)

Love the lobby, hate the mall facade.

yeah i mentioned a few posts back that the approval has been deferred 3 weeks.nearby retailers are winging there business might suffer. poor didams.

^^ lol Yeah, those poor wittle diddums.

Love the lobby, hate the mall facade.Indeed the lobby will be grand. Sydney needs more grand foyers and entrances, just like that of the nearby 400 George St, Commsec Tower @ 363 George St & those of Gov. Phil 'n Gov. Mac Towers. Melbourne has grand lobbies aplenty!

Sydney has the mother of all lobbies- Duetsche banks

True! It is a doozy! I have already included it in must-see Sydney sites for visiting rels and friends. Don't forget to take in the lift area with all that mechanical gymnastics soaring upwards, as well as that space age enclosed plaza.

OT, but have you considered ordering direct from overseas retailers?

I order alot my CDs and DVDs from the USA, because even with shipping they're comparable or cheaper than the Region 4 equivalent in an Australian store. Also, American CD stores can offer larger range and still have a better price than Australian online music offerings.

www.cdwow.com is a good one as they offer free shipping world wide.

Anyway back to this proposal, what sort of compromises will the developers have to make, do you think?

^^ lol Yeah, those poor wittle diddums.

Indeed the lobby will be grand. Sydney needs more grand foyers and entrances, just like that of the nearby 400 George St, Commsec Tower @ 363 George St & those of Gov. Phil 'n Gov. Mac Towers. Melbourne has grand lobbies aplenty!
Your forgetting one of the Best - The Chifley.

I like Aurora Place's lobby the best. The orange!

yeah i mentioned a few posts back that the approval has been deferred 3 weeks.nearby retailers are winging there business might suffer. poor didams.

OMG, some people and their pettiness .... :ohno:

^ yeah the retailers and businesses should realize they are located smack bang in the centre of Australia's biggest city!!! thus the name midcity centre.lol new buildings are being buitl all the time. its part of working in the city.

Today SMH Thurs 17 Nov, page 3 article "Fears giant tower will put retailers in the shade". Fear-mongering thrives under the guise of concerned citizenship. Dear oh dear! The self-serving hypocrisy of it all.
The building is expected to be approved tonight, none-the-less. Good!

Giant tower? lol

Gotta realise tho' that the retailers in general are just every day folk. All that matters to the take-away food guy is when his delivery of chips will arrive or how this week's window display looks for the boutique dress store's owner.

if mid city is a giant tower, whats KENS?