To my surprise while walking along Pitt Street today, just opposite the Hilton Hotel makeover, the old Greater Union Pitt Street complex had news and renders of John Boyd Tower. The manager of the discount/gift store on the ground floor of the old cinema complex told me that they will be closing in the next 1 - 2 months.

On the signs titled "Soon to be built" with a render was the info....
- 44 office levels
- 1,500 sq m floor plates
- 3,000 sq m of retail
- 113 car parking
@ 163 Castelreagh Street.

This pic is similar to the render:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pe6fd08eb7c5babd2cf1bb447cdb94ac0/fd01a8f6.jpg

Also the website provided on the sign is @ www.boydproperties.com.au is this diagram:

http://www.boydproperties.com.au/images/p2.gif

BTW. 163 Castlereagh Street is Paul's City Hardware Store LOL :)

See I told you all im Smart;) :D :guns1: :cool: :angel1: :)

Even though the shops are closing in a month or two doesn't mean its being built anytime soon???

The thing still doesn't have an anchor tenant,cause we would knoe for sure by now wouldn't we?

:bash: :baaa: :baaa: :baaa: :bash:

wow! thats sound interesting? Ill have to look out for "demolishment certificate" when its lodged .This 600footer would be amazing to see get built in "this" construction cycle!
poor old Pauls hardware, its the only decent hardware in city!:bleep:
heres to JB tower:cheers:

Note difference in the design between the two images: which is the latest?

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by brizer </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Note difference in the design between the two images: which is the latest?</td></tr>
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The curved design was the 170m DA which was approved last year. This was superseded by latest one with grillbox on top!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Sydguy1 </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Even though the shops are closing in a month or two doesn't mean its being built anytime soon???
The thing still doesn't have an anchor tenant,cause we would know for sure by now wouldn't we?
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Well Sydguy1, the signs posted on the old Greater Union Pitt Centre specifically stated "Soon to be built". Also a lot of anchor tenant signings are done behind closed doors so-to-speak. We may not know until a press release in the property/business pages of newspapers.

Both skyscrapers.com and skyscraperpage.com list the approved tower @ 188 metres to roof - the same height as the AMP Centre Tower:

_______http://skyscraperphotos.com/cit/dsy01/a/izsy118.jpg

Also this diagram of the 170 metre previous design was the one on the website provided:

http://www.boydproperties.com.au/images/p2.gif


BTW Here is the shopping village on Pitt St that will be demolished (it includes, amongst others, 2 stores - Dirt Cheap CDs and Wholesale Direct that are closing soon too):

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid25/pfbca62e008b00509d435e2ec9f0a57f3/fd8ca52e.jpg

Aww that shopping village was funky looking :(

shit I thought that shopping village was some 3rd world Asian city or something when I first looked @ it !!!!
not something I would expect to see in the heart of modern downtown sydney:eek:

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>shit I thought that shopping village was some 3rd world Asian city or something when I first looked @ it !!!!
not something I would expect to see in the heart of modern downtown sydney:eek:</td></tr>
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It's something you'd find in the suburbs. A bit of suburbia in the city.

Thats a shocking development regarding the hoardings. These guys by the looks are eager to get things built. We hope a major tenant has signed up or are in the process as we speak.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>shit I thought that shopping village was some 3rd world Asian city or something when I first looked @ it !!!!
not something I would expect to see in the heart of modern downtown sydney:eek:</td></tr>
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You're not the only one who hates it! I have to walk past it every day! Still, that $10 CD shop is pretty good.

I think the only reason the complex has survived so long is because it's part of an obvious site for a tower. No-one wanted to spend money on something that was just going to be knocked down. Boyd Properties bought up the whole site ages ago and obviously they've just let it sit there, waiting for the right moment. It does indeed look a bit strange seeing this terrible, ramshackle dump sitting there amongst these hundred-million-dollar skyscrapers but it's charming in its way! Still, this is fantastic news. For those who don't know sydney apart from the pictures posted here, this site is smack bang right across the road from the Hilton redevelopment currently under way.

Another missing piece of the puzzle found .. hopefully! To be honest, this almost seems too good to be true! And there I was thinking we had to choose between KENS and BOYD .. We're gonna have our cake and eat it too!!

hk

lol sorry museumb has already noted the site's proximity to hilton! it's too early for me! BTW does anyone else prefer the curved design? I like 188m better than 170m but I like curvey more than bigears.

hk

People, the story behind those ghastly complexes that currently exist on the site of the "SOON TO BE BUILT" JB Tower is that each and everyone of them up until a year ago were owned by very wealthy, but also very scabby Melbourne families. The site was fractured by 4 different owners that obviously knew of the huge potential profits by holding onto their turf. They knew that the location was prominent, the buildings on the site were of no significance and easy to flatten as most were no more that a few stories.

Boyd Properties kept offering more and more money until these scabs finally sold up one by one. It cost John Boyd a fortune but in the end the site was consolidated and now presents Sydney with its next landmark commercial tower.

That is one thing about Sydney if you happen to compare it with the other capitals. They all may be in a "boom" constructing whopper residential towers, but at the end of the day Sydney continues to build whopper commercial towers that they can only dream about ...... :D

Commercial towers I think is what a CBD is all about! ;)

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by SinCity </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>People, the story behind those ghastly complexes that currently exist on the site of the "SOON TO BE BUILT" JB Tower is that each and everyone of them up until a year ago were owned by very wealthy, but also very scabby Melbourne families. The site was fractured by 4 different owners that obviously knew of the huge potential profits by holding onto their turf. They knew that the location was prominent, the buildings on the site were of no significance and easy to flatten as most were no more that a few stories.

Boyd Properties kept offering more and more money until these scabs finally sold up one by one. It cost John Boyd a fortune but in the end the site was consolidated and now presents Sydney with its next landmark commercial tower.

That is one thing about Sydney if you happen to compare it with the other capitals. They all may be in a "boom" constructing whopper residential towers, but at the end of the day Sydney continues to build whopper commercial towers that they can only dream about ...... :D

Commercial towers I think is what a CBD is all about! ;)</td></tr>
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right on!

LOL at the "scabs" Sincity.
I prefer to call them very wise investors !

On the topic of the construction of JB tower - fingers crossed on a major pre-committment by Comm Bank ! IMO this is the only way this tower could go ahead! There is no way this would be built speculatively, unless Mr John Boyd is going to self finance the project and not rely on a lending institution to lend him some cash !
A downside of the Comm Bank pre-leasing JB is the amount of 'back fill' space that it will leave behind in the CBD. This will play havoc with rents and vacancy rates because Wespac and Lend Lease are going to leave alot of space behind too !

Sincity has a very good point about the power of the Syd CBD in generating big commercial projects ! It is continuous - thanks to the fact that office demand over the past decade has been almost equal to every other Aussie capital city combined ! :guns1:

well checked out the site at lunch! wow looked really cool, i thought i was looking at a mirage!:eek: i took pics of signage which ill post tonight!
I also rang john Boyd properties to get the low down on its status!
The guy seemed ok to talk about it. as soon as i said i was from planning dept.lol
he said they are currently in "negotiations" with a few tennants and would like to start demolishment/construction before years end!!! with a projected completion date of 2006.!
So this is great news! they only have to apply for demolishment certificate and then construction certificate and shes underway!!!
he said the major factor was Sydney's stable office sector still showed potential to utilize!:)

Wow! It would be amazing to get John Boyd Tower started before the end of the year! I mean its a big tower! 72,000 sq.m isn't it? That's almost as big as KENS!

Very promising news ! After spending most of my life in S.A. I have to say that the forumers over this way are VERY bloody well spoilt ! :)
This is quality stuff and even better with the 188m ( 213m RL ?) height - a major addition to the skyline and in a location which will make the east / west perpsective of the CBD brilliant in a few years time !
I think Fabian recently posted a pic of the length of the CBD ( in Cul's model) as viewed from both the west and east a few weeks back- does anyone still have those pics ?

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by spazpecker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>LOL at the "scabs" Sincity.
I prefer to call them very wise investors ! :guns1:</td></tr>
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...... I'm just jealous!

I just wished that I was one of those scabs. From what I heard, all 4 of them played hard to get for many years as a number of developers attempted to "convince" them with sizable sums of cash. They all played their game very well and it paid off signifcantly for each of them ........... BASTARDS! ;)

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>
That is one thing about Sydney if you happen to compare it with the other capitals. They all may be in a "boom" constructing whopper residential towers, but at the end of the day Sydney continues to build whopper commercial towers that they can only dream about ...... :D

Commercial towers I think is what a CBD is all about! ;)</td></tr>
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Melbourne has four office towers 150m+ (to roof, no spires :-) currently U/C, that's what I call a "boom", and it's no dream!

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>

Melbourne has four office towers 150m+ (to roof, no spires :-) currently U/C, that's what I call a "boom", and it's no dream!</td></tr>
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with at least one more definite proposal [approved as per Southern Cross station redevelopment] mooted for the west end, and that's definitely no "dream" ;)

____________________________

J.B. = looking good!

Grollo and tays, I can't speak for Sincity but I'm sure he was simply referring to the continued unabated amount of Sydney office construction year on year on year ! The 'dynamics' are so strong that there isn't a huge boom and bust cycle, like Melbourne experiences.
There is no doubt that Melbourne is well and truly undergoing an bloody huge office boom at present, to make up for zippo in the previous 10 years though!
The major point of difference is that Sydney is now climbing out of the biggest office bust that it's had for 10 years ( a 2 year period that saw tenants leave 140,000 sqm of office space behind ! ) and the CBD is now just "warming up" to go gangbusters again !
I'm stoked that there's currently 196m, 190m, 166m and 130m in office towers being built and perhaps another 188m job about to start !!
FPD Savills expects the Syd CBD to have 5.1 million sqm of office space by 2007 and another 6.0 million in the burbs ! That's bloody massive in anyone's language ! :guns1:

can't you just be happy for sydney instead of comparing it to melbourne all the time, it seems melbournites only make the journey to the sydney forum to talk up their town...

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by chrisaus </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>shit I thought that shopping village was some 3rd world Asian city or something when I first looked @ it !!!!
not something I would expect to see in the heart of modern downtown sydney:eek:</td></tr>
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I think Pizzahut had a restuarant in the mall during it's hey day.

It's really become bad in the past five years.

I'ts really become bad in the last 5 years.

Try since it was built in the late 70s. It has always been tacky and out of place in the Sydney CBD.

Heres the awning pic from today!


http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126johnboydsign-med.jpg

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>Grollo and tays, I can't speak for Sincity but I'm sure he was simply referring to the continued unabated amount of Sydney office construction year on year on year ! The 'dynamics' are so strong that there isn't a huge boom and bust cycle, like Melbourne experiences.
There is no doubt that Melbourne is well and truly undergoing an bloody huge office boom at present, to make up for zippo in the previous 10 years though!
The major point of difference is that Sydney is now climbing out of the biggest office bust that it's had for 10 years ( a 2 year period that saw tenants leave 140,000 sqm of office space behind ! ) and the CBD is now just "warming up" to go gangbusters again !
I'm stoked that there's currently 196m, 190m, 166m and 130m in office towers being built and perhaps another 188m job about to start !!
FPD Savills expects the Syd CBD to have 5.1 million sqm of office space by 2007 and another 6.0 million in the burbs ! That's bloody massive in anyone's language ! :guns1:</td></tr>
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I dont doubt you, but to a degree, those very dynamics are somewhat the same down here - seeming as though we've not seen an office tower over 100m built in Melbourne since the last 500+ footer was built and as has been acknowledged, it's translating into the 400,000 odd square metres of space U/C within the inner city!

chrisaus: seriously mate, if it weren't for kiddies like yourself who like to pry on the bullshit city v city arguments and evoke some sort of response, we wouldn't have as many people snapping and over-reacting for pety reasons. You dont have to be put on notice again.

Hey! I didn't put down Sydney or even compare it to Melbourne I just pointed out that not all the towers going up in Melbourne are apartment buildings. In fact I think the current crop of Sydney office towers are generally better than the boxy towers, nice slick boxes but still boxes, that are going up in Melbourne.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by spazpecker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Grollo and tays, I can't speak for Sincity but I'm sure he was simply referring to the continued unabated amount of Sydney office construction year on year on year ! The 'dynamics' are so strong that there isn't a huge boom and bust cycle, like Melbourne experiences.
There is no doubt that Melbourne is well and truly undergoing an bloody huge office boom at present, to make up for zippo in the previous 10 years though!
The major point of difference is that Sydney is now climbing out of the biggest office bust that it's had for 10 years ( a 2 year period that saw tenants leave 140,000 sqm of office space behind ! ) and the CBD is now just "warming up" to go gangbusters again !
I'm stoked that there's currently 196m, 190m, 166m and 130m in office towers being built and perhaps another 188m job about to start !!
FPD Savills expects the Syd CBD to have 5.1 million sqm of office space by 2007 and another 6.0 million in the burbs ! That's bloody massive in anyone's language ! :guns1:</td></tr>
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I dont doubt you, but to a degree, those very dynamics are somewhat the same down here - seeming as though we've not seen an office tower over 100m built in Melbourne since the last 500+ footer was built and as has been acknowledged, it's translating into the 400,000 odd square metres of space U/C within the inner city!

chrisaus: seriously mate, if it weren't for kiddies like yourself who like to pry on the bullshit city v city arguments and evoke some sort of response, we wouldn't have as many people snapping and over-reacting for pety reasons. You dont have to be put on notice again.</td></tr>
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poo off I haven't done that in weeks, I don't care anymore.... I have many other way more important things to do.... as i have said in many PMs. your going to have to look a little harder if you want to throw me off the forum.... and childish posts ever looked at yours closely ?
as for you, your one of the biggest contributors to city vs city threads you just act very subtely and try to come across as non-bias
you can delete this post now, so the forum can go back to living in harmony as it has for the last month.....
:baaa:

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by chrisaus </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>can't you just be happy for sydney instead of comparing it to melbourne all the time, it seems melbournites only make the journey to the sydney forum to talk up their town...</td></tr>
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Melbournites have a right to come into the Sydney forums and say whatever and compare it to their's. I don't mind reading about their thoughts. If they like it (which I think they do on this thread) thats ok, if they don't like it, let them argue why. Freedom of speech prevails here!!!!

I admit all of us do it when we visit other state forums and I find that singling out a particular city is by far, very wrong.

Melbournites, if you have something to say, spit it out!!!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by chrisaus </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>can't you just be happy for sydney instead of comparing it to melbourne all the time, it seems melbournites only make the journey to the sydney forum to talk up their town...</td></tr>
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Just ignore them. They contribute zero percent to the discussion in this thread anyway. I think we should rename Melbourne the "Metoo Metoo City".:|

Anyway, sticking to the discussion, I believe this is great news for the site, but I won't be getting my hopes up at all until there's lots of the digging destruction on site.

Cul, in reference to your picture, is there ANY signage advertising the project as "For Lease". I don't see any - all I see is "Soon to be Built".
I'm rather surprised by this - good surprised, not bad surprised... ;)

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by spazpecker </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Cul, in reference to your picture, is there ANY signage advertising the project as "For Lease". I don't see any - all I see is "Soon to be Built".
I'm rather surprised by this - good surprised, not bad surprised... ;)</td></tr>
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the JBproperty guy seemed to indicate he wanted Sydney's general public to be "aware" of this potential development. probaly to get investors interested. its a good idea.!

Cul: 'make potential investors aware'? Mabe I'm paranoid, but does that sound like there is no real tenant in hand, and they are just desperately hoping to raise the profile of a mere possibility to help them find one?

Hope not. And what would the investors be? I thought that it would be debt financed though banks, rather than equity finanaced. And it's hard to think that a sign would move the bank...

what levels of pre-leasing do most sydney towers need to get up ?

Just depends on the needs of the developer I guess.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by DBM </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Cul: 'make potential investors aware'? Mabe I'm paranoid, but does that sound like there is no real tenant in hand, and they are just desperately hoping to raise the profile of a mere possibility to help them find one?

Hope not. And what would the investors be? I thought that it would be debt financed though banks, rather than equity finanaced. And it's hard to think that a sign would move the bank...</td></tr>
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The developer has told me he is "currently" negotiating with many potential tenants.he said he may as well let "Sydney" know of the approved 45storey scraper!. Its all positive stuff!

Chrisaus, Not 100% sure but approx 50% should be pre-leased before council will approve erection of DA.

So how many possible tenants does BOdy tower have,I don't think he told you but did he?

:D

I don't know why I said body tower I ment Boyd tower:bash:

Here is a picture of the actual view from the top at 170 metres above the ground

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pf282feee573db811da0d87c33308d712/fc530bb7.jpg

And you gotta feel sorry for those guys at Citigroup losing their view to the heads.

The architectural firm that was awareded the contract to build Bohn Boyd Tower is F.J.M.T. (formerly G.M.T.). They refer to it as 163 Castlereagh Street.

Boyd Prop. anticipates beginning conctruction within the next 12 months.

From the anicipated start date, ideally the tower should be completed in 33 months - minus construction workers' holidays, unreasonable weather or unanticipated strikes!

Used to go quite a few parties in those theaters after they closed down
Going to have to go check out that area
I kind of like the sushi shop in the last south shop south there. Its cheap and on my home to Bus stop :)
Not been there in a while have to check it out tomorrow when i am in the city

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Trances </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Used to go quite a few parties in those theaters after they closed down
Going to have to go check out that area
I kind of like the sushi shop in the last south shop south there. Its cheap and on my home to Bus stop :)
Not been there in a while have to check it out tomorrow when i am in the city</td></tr>
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I think Trances raises an important point. Sure, these shiny new towers and developments are nice and good for the city's skyline, but we have to make sure we preserve the small businesses that really MAKE the city. Little eat places and places like newsagencies and bookshops are an important "layer" to the city and having them built over by residential and in this case commercial developments is a loss for the city. Sure, JB will probably have some sort of food court, but heck, there's something nice about those kooky small sushi shops...

I dunno.

There's a great little vegan yum cha place in that 2 storey shitepile where John Boyd should be. I'm going to miss it when its gone. Has the tastiest salt chilli tofu I can find, and you don't feel like crap after eating lots!

(Not that I'm vegan, or even vegitarian, I just keep going there with a friend who is. Lol, every time I eat there for lunch, I go back home later that night and whack a steak on the grill to make up for it :))

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Trances </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Used to go quite a few parties in those theaters after they closed down
Going to have to go check out that area
I kind of like the sushi shop in the last south shop south there. Its cheap and on my home to Bus stop :)
Not been there in a while have to check it out tomorrow when i am in the city</td></tr>
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I think Trances raises an important point. Sure, these shiny new towers and developments are nice and good for the city's skyline, but we have to make sure we preserve the small businesses that really MAKE the city. Little eat places and places like newsagencies and bookshops are an important "layer" to the city and having them built over by residential and in this case commercial developments is a loss for the city. Sure, JB will probably have some sort of food court, but heck, there's something nice about those kooky small sushi shops...

I dunno.</td></tr>
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Alot of the towers built in recent years such as Citigroup and Hordern Towers have seen a newsagent along with other community essentials such as convienence stores, supermarkets, cafes, bookstores and drycleaning occupying retail space.

But with John Boyd, were really only going to lose a bunch of discount stores.

Don't concern youself too much guys about the discount/retail stores disappearing as there will be at the very least 3,000 sq m of retail at the base of John Boyd Tower when it finishes its construction.
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<tr><td align=left valign=top>Boyd Prop. anticipates beginning conctruction within the next 12 months.
From the anicipated start date, ideally the tower should be completed in 33 months - minus construction workers' holidays, unreasonable weather or unanticipated strikes!</td></tr>
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33 months = almost 3 years, so if it goes ahead as planned at this stage, we are looking at its completion sometime in 2006.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>Boyd Prop. anticipates beginning conctruction within the next 12 months.

From the anicipated start date, ideally the tower should be completed in 33 months - minus construction workers' holidays, unreasonable weather or unanticipated strikes!</td></tr>
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Thanks for the update muse!

Did you call the developers again? Were they more amenable to your queries this time?

Yes finn,

The person I spoke with was quite affable and this time was only too happy to answer my general questions - I role played this time as a business person - way to go! :cool:

12 months but i want it now! ill go over there and pour my own core to get it off the ground!:D

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>12 months but i want it now! ill go over there and pour my own core to get it off the ground!:D</td></tr>
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LOL. You'd have to knock everything down first! I'll help with that alright! Bring out the jack hammers!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by fro </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>LOL. You'd have to knock everything down first! I'll help with that alright! Bring out the jack hammers!</td></tr>
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haha i was thinking of using a knife and fork but ok:D

Re-hash time.

So whats the latest:guns1:

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Sydguy1 </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Re-hash time.

So whats the latest:guns1:</td></tr>
</table>
again patience! as i said 1 month ago, the JB properties are trying to sign many tennants, this could take a 1year or so.

Remember the Commonwealth Bank is looking for space too and John Boyd is one building they may be interested in occupying.

LOL @ Cul.

He keeps on telling everyone to be patient. It's like from a Simpsons episode:

Moe: It can deep fry a whole cow in 40 seconds.
Homer: 40 seconds? But I want it now...


Hehe. Just think of it as the calm before the storm people. The calm before the storm.

Patience sucks and I want the strm now:rant: :guns1: :guns1: :D ;)

lol, we are having the storm now!!!!!!!! there are approx 20 scrapers UC in the CBD with a dozen more to start before end of year! thats pretty much a BOOM! so JB Tower might have to wait for next BOOM, which will be 5 years maybe?
I think were lucky to get office towers like
Latitude
BT Tower
KENS
& Civic tower!
thats pretty good cluster of new office bldgs!

More More More More More

NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW:rant: :D

<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>lol, we are having the storm now!!!!!!!! there are approx 20 scrapers UC in the CBD with a dozen more to start before end of year! thats pretty much a BOOM! so JB Tower might have to wait for next BOOM, which will be 5 years maybe?
I think were lucky to get office towers like
Latitude
BT Tower
KENS
& Civic tower!
thats pretty good cluster of new office bldgs!</td></tr>
</table>

I hope Commonwealth Bank still have the boyd in their sights by then. Hopefully they are at the door soon with an offer.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Boyd Prop. anticipates beginning conctruction within the next 12 months.

From the anicipated start date, ideally the tower should be completed in 33 months - minus construction workers' holidays, unreasonable weather or unanticipated strikes!</td></tr>
</table>

I must be getting anouying doing this but anything new :D

god damn it Sydguy1 I get all excited when I see a new post in one of these threads and it's always you asking if anything is new! ;)

well .. is anything new .. hehe

hk

Don't get excited when you see my name.I have nothing to add,I just ask ;)

i came here for that reason too
and now i am doing the same LOL

How come everything has gone silent. Where has the excitement of this development gone?

Wasn't going to post this as I didn't want to get too many hopes up, however.....

.....I called the Boyd office 2 weeks ago and they are confident that this one is still going to go ahead...hopefully within the next year.

There were a few more things we talked about in regard to Boyd Tower aka 163 Castlereagh Street, but the main thing is as I already mentioned.

Reminder of the render from William Street:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pe6fd08eb7c5babd2cf1bb447cdb94ac0/fd01a8f6.jpg

fabian, its only been a few months since John Boyd menioned they are looking for tennants. Things like this take time. Give it 6 months and see how things are going!! I said from beginning this is a 2005 start scraper!!

Originally posted by Trances
i came here for that reason too
and now i am doing the same LOL

hah, and I've just come to this thread, and the other to check for updates...

...*goes back to lurk mode*...

http://www.skyscraperpage.com/forum/images/smilies/righton.gif

Originally posted by CULWULLA
fabian, its only been a few months since John Boyd menioned they are looking for tennants. Things like this take time. Give it 6 months and see how things are going!! I said from beginning this is a 2005 start scraper!! If you read my last post just above in this thread, the Boyd Office is hoping it will start construction within the next 12 months. Not all new projects go in the predicted construction cycles.

Originally posted by museumb
If you read my last post just above in this thread, the Boyd Office is hoping it will start construction within the next 12 months. Not all new projects go in the predicted construction cycles.
yeah i know ! hopefully this project will start next year but i have a feeling it will be later!:D

Fair enough CULS.

Previously we were all hoping the Commonwealth Bank was going to pre-commit large spaces of Boyd Tower....oh well :dunno:

Apparently CULWULLA has some inside info. that John Boyd Tower aka 163 Castlereagh Street 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 John Boyd Tower aka 163 Castlereagh Street will commence next year.

Please share the inside info. with us CULS, puuuhhhhhlease. All confidentially kept here on the site of course ;) .
lol, i called JBoyd properties recently and they "hinted" they would like to commence next year on new tower. They are currently trying to "woo" tennants!

Finally, the arcade, cinema and the old brashs building are going and there won't be a tear shed seeing this was the biggest hole in all of Pitt St

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid25/pfbca62e008b00509d435e2ec9f0a57f3/fd8ca52e.jpg

Still the latest news sounds more like speculation of a start next year then a real hard evidence that a tenant is about to sign.

bad news ! Ive been told by the planner that the current DA approved design was always going to be very expensive to build! due to materials, shape ect.
Just today, we were contacted by JohnBoyd architects for a model template for the "new amended" design. Obviously a cheaper alternative proposal! Lets hope its still OK? But this also is good news in that they think if the bldg is cheaper to build they could start it soon!
who knows? Ill let you know about new proposal soon enough!

Know we hae no info Yet
But lets hope this does not mean a loss of hight or land mark desgin

Originally posted by Trances
Know we hae no info Yet
But lets hope this does not mean a loss of hight or land mark desgin
my thoughts exactly!:bash:

Originally posted by CULWULLA
bad news ! Ive been told by the planner that the current DA approved design was always going to be very expensive to build! due to materials, shape ect.
Just today, we were contacted by JohnBoyd architects for a model template for the "new amended" design. Obviously a cheaper alternative proposal! Lets hope its still OK? But this also is good news in that they think if the bldg is cheaper to build they could start it soon!
who knows? Ill let you know about new proposal soon enough!

I'm not expecting anything big to happen to it's design.

Can't stand the idea of building a cheap tower in such a premier location! :bleep:

I hope this project will be shelved until somebody comes up with a decent proposal to match the one that has just died.....

:bash: :bash: :bash:

quess what there interested in again?????
The curved DA which was original proposal. Its 170m high, not roof feature.

>>

http://www.boydproperties.com.au/images/p2.gif

i like the other one better :(

I have always liked the original proposal - it is not 'cheaper' or anything like that. The facade has a logical shape with windows facing the harbour. Very sexy too! I think a shopping arcade was also included which is a must for any tower to be built between Pitt & Castlereagh Sts.

Can they just swich to the original proposal or have to go through all the pain of the approval process again?

:? :angel1: :?

Mah could do better but at least it some thing
Still heaps of other good sites This one allways seemed dates a few years ago in style to me. Need more renders.

Originally posted by AltiusAltiusAltius
I have always liked the original proposal - it is not 'cheaper' or anything like that. The facade has a logical shape with windows facing the harbour. Very sexy too! I think a shopping arcade was also included which is a must for any tower to be built between Pitt & Castlereagh Sts.

Can they just swich to the original proposal or have to go through all the pain of the approval process again?

:? :angel1: :?
Im not sure? I dont think they have to go thru it again as the curved one was approved also! So we will have to see.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
Im not sure? I dont think they have to go thru it again as the curved one was approved also! So we will have to see.

Hmmmm, strange really - I wonder why the original design was approved if the developers were going to be forced to hold a design competition? What was the point of the competiton if the developers just turn around and say "nah, we'll just take the cheaper one that we designed thanks!".

Sounds exactly like the Meriton/Peddle Thorpe Walker design for the tower in The Rocks!

I don't mind the curved design even though it doesn't have the roof structure. I'd fit in quite well with Citigroup and Hilton

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid25/p2a8e1d1014d7d9ad28577d4527db10f7/fd8ca22c.jpg

Still has the post-original render outside the Pitt Centre. I'll try and get a pic of it today.

BUILD THE CURVED ONE! BUILD THE CURVED ONE! BUILD THE CURVED ONE!

Looks better than the one they wanted to build. Let's hope at least one of them goes ahead!

JOHN BOYDS gone RESIDENTIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you heard it it first! and guess who is interested in building it!!!
HarryT..yep, Meriton are negotiating.
400 units!!!
Thats the reasoning behind the alternate design! they cant seem to find an anchor tennant and have given up on the prospect! So what to do then, Go resi!
Apparently the curved design is easier to adapt to apartment use, thus the change of DA. It still has to go thru new DA process but will sail through eeasier. Imagine the views towards park and harbour??
One thing about Trigaboff, once he has sniffed a site and purchased it , the building will proceed! So i guess this one will start next year!!! our next +500footer!!! cool!

http://www.boydproperties.com.au/images/p2.gif

the car spaces have also increased from 150 to 650 !

I hate that news more than anything. I really wanted this office tower to go up and now we are getting yet another residential tower which I've had enough of. Bring it back to office please!!!!

I cannot wait for McBain to visit the council offices

Originally posted by Fabian
I hate that news more than anything. I really wanted this office tower to go up and now we are getting yet another residential tower which I've had enough of. Bring it back to office please!!!!

I cannot wait for McBain to visit the council offices
lol, resi - office whats the dif??
its going to be a fab tower with same design! hope Bob nation assists!!!

The good thing about it being resi is, as Cul says, that it'll happen sooner rather than later and 170m in this part of town is nothing to be sneezed at.
It'll be Sydney's 2nd tallest residential apartment building after WT !
The other positive thing is that this will free up opportunities for other commercial projects e.g. Culs 235 tower just up the road. :guns1:

Originally posted by CULWULLA
lol, resi - office whats the dif??
its going to be a fab tower with same design! hope Bob nation assists!!!

Residential developments are eating up sites that could used instead to build office towers. The CBD is running of sites in which to development and residential developments eat up space that could be used to address the commercial shortage.

I also admit I prefer the CBD to be a place of commerce rather than residential. Develop towers in Pyrmont, Ultimo and Surry Hills instead and if desperate Haymarket.

I agree with Fab - this is the most terrible news! :rant:

This one was meant to be commercial and it would be better to shelve it for another 10 years until a commercial tenant is found...We will desperately need office space in the future....

Both designs were terrific and it is great shame. Only commercial towers can be really luxurious, have an awesome facade, great lobby, shopping arcade etc.....Residential towers are kinda ok in the Southern CBD because we are already used to that part of town looking a bit tacky.....But this is a disaster - the view of the Citigroup tower from the harbour will be blocked by a giant Meriton tower with a cheap facade and stupid balconies! Major tragedy for the skyline!

The only exception would be if external design stays exactly the same i.e. glass and no balconies but this is not gonna happen!

:bleep:

Hope it never gets u/c...Meriton towers look just perfect in suburbs! Let Harry build more there! :D

apparently the tower form has to remain the same as approved DA or it will have to be resubmitted and could take 6 months for approval! Ive chatted to the planner that had its DA over last year and he said the curved tower floor plate is fine for a residential complex.
Im sure the facade also has to remain the same.
But i disagree that it should be a office tower. This wasnt going to be built until next cycle 2010ish anyway, So this is fab news, Also because the space in the city is being gulped up by apartment useage,this in turn means that the very few sites that are left for office towers will influence the new office towers to be all tall!!!:D

Originally posted by CULWULLA
apparently the tower form has to remain the same as approved DA or it will have to be resubmitted and could take 6 months for approval! Ive chatted to the planner that had its DA over last year and he said the curved tower floor plate is fine for a residential complex.
Im sure the facade also has to remain the same.
But i disagree that it should be a office tower. This wasnt going to be built until next cycle 2010ish anyway, So this is fab news, Also because the space in the city is being gulped up by apartment useage,this in turn means that the very few sites that are left for office towers will influence the new office towers to be all tall!!!:D

good points! Residential towers can look fantastic! as if the current wave of resi architecture (WT, E, Q1, 101 bathurst etc) hasnt proven this already! Should be good!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! This city is being saturated with apartment buildings. In fact, it has already gone past saturation point!!

I totally agree with Fabian and AltiusAltiusAltius - this will be a major tragedy if this goes residential.
170m = only 558ft :bleep:

Bring back the John Boyd office tower @ 188m/617ft:

The poster on the eave of the Pitt Centre is still advertising it as an office tower:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379johnboyd1-med.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/379johnboyd2-med.jpg

What are you guys talking about? There are not nearly enough resi units in the city proper. Meriton seem to have gotten their act together quality wise .. I'm sure they won't do such a bad job. Resi towers can accomodate shopping and offices - witness WT, Summit, The Peak!

Sydney CBD has only 30,000 residents! That is pathetic and prices are sky high. If it's a good building, I don't care if it's resi or commercial. There is nothing in that sector besides Market St Towers. Culwulla is right - if this goes resi, future offices will have to be just that little bit taller and otherwise unattractive sites will become more viable.

How can you all say you love HK and then oppose resi towers? I'm all for this. The more the better full stop. Great news. Thanks for the heads up Cul and let's hope for a swift start! As soon as Rialto's done you reckon?

hk

I bet as we speak the population is nearing 35 000 in the CBD and the current load of residential developments could send it to 40000 which is quite good for a small area of Sydney which I think is reasonable for this part of town.

And guess what with all these developments saturating the market you realise that the developers of John Boyd could face some real strife if there is a market oversupply which could happen anyday now meaning office may actually be more viable.

Boyd properties should think about strata titling the offices where they actually sell instead of lease office space to investors and companies. It has become quite popular as an investment here in Sydney.

There still is hope this can remain office. I'd rather wait a bit longer than see a residential development rise.

Originally posted by hk-star
What are you guys talking about? There are not nearly enough resi units in the city proper. Meriton seem to have gotten their act together quality wise .. I'm sure they won't do such a bad job. Resi towers can accomodate shopping and offices - witness WT, Summit, The Peak!

Sydney CBD has only 30,000 residents! That is pathetic and prices are sky high. If it's a good building, I don't care if it's resi or commercial. There is nothing in that sector besides Market St Towers. Culwulla is right - if this goes resi, future offices will have to be just that little bit taller and otherwise unattractive sites will become more viable.

How can you all say you love HK and then oppose resi towers? I'm all for this. The more the better full stop. Great news. Thanks for the heads up Cul and let's hope for a swift start! As soon as Rialto's done you reckon?

hk

Wrong, wrong, wrong on many accounts.

Firstly, The Summit is one of Meriton's blunders. Most forumers would undoutably agree.

How many Sydney CBD shoe-box residential towers have you actually been inside of? I'd be curious to know.

Also don't forget there are some reasonably ugly residential towers towards the Quay and around Kings Cross and Ultimo as well.

As for most of Meriton's and Australand's satellite CBD areas of Sydney, their residential complexes are as ugly to boot as well. Even some of their inner city complexes too.

In regard to Hong Kong, apart from the main H.K. island, most of the outlying residential towers look like housing commison towers gone absolutely wrong. Even some in Honker's main CBD as well.

BTW Not all of us have said that we love Hong Kong. I think that is in your own head.

You might want to save your breath hk-star. However you do of course have the 'right to reply'. Only if ya fee like it LOL.

You guys can make all the emotional arguements you want about being Commercial or residential.But in the end if you can't get a tenant the banks aint going to finance it.And im sure Boyd's land holding costs were skyrocketing.

C'mon guys if you could have an Apartment in JOhn Boyd tower you wouldn't be crying


;)

Most of us are being as objective as possible about this (key words being "as objective as possible"). But hey, even if I/we/some of us are being emotional about it, so what? We feel passionate about our scrapers and architecture.

Also, personally I can think of many other apartment buildings I would prefer to live in. In fact, I'm perfectly happy in the apartment building I already reside in.

Anywho, I hope that J.B. Tower does end up being a commercial development, instead of settling for a lower 2nd best or worse, depending on your own view/s.

Time will tell. The old waiting game.

What ever happened to rumours about the Commonwealth bank.Looking for 60,000sq/ms.Maybe it wasn't true?

Sydguy1,

I'm sure you read my last reply, however....

To answer your question about The Commonwealth Bank, they have offices all over Sydney's CBD, including 48 Martin Place, 52 Martin Place (The Colonial Centre), 3 martin Place, 141 Liverpool Street, Commsec Tower @ 363 George Street and a few other smaller towers around downtown Sydney.

It would be great if they just all got it all together and just kept some of the above mentioned as branch offices. 48 Martin Place and Commsec Tower aren't going anywhere.

Another one of the original ideas for J.B. Tower was for lawyers, barristers. solictors and othe legal departments to take up space in the commercial tower.

In fact, I'm going to make an enquiry right now @ the source. Hopefully, I'll be back with an answer relatively soon. :okay:

So whats the gossip Muse?

Originally posted by Fabian
I bet as we speak the population is nearing 35 000 in the CBD and the current load of residential developments could send it to 40000 which is quite good for a small area of Sydney which I think is reasonable for this part of town.

And guess what with all these developments saturating the market you realise that the developers of John Boyd could face some real strife if there is a market oversupply which could happen anyday now meaning office may actually be more viable.

Boyd properties should think about strata titling the offices where they actually sell instead of lease office space to investors and companies. It has become quite popular as an investment here in Sydney.

There still is hope this can remain office. I'd rather wait a bit longer than see a residential development rise.
sorry to bop your balloon fab, but theres no hope of this one going commercial!!!!!
Its apartments all the way!

As long as the tower looks like an office building, the actual content doesn't bother me. I don't mind even if it's totally hollow inside.

Originally posted by Muse
Wrong, wrong, wrong on many accounts.

Firstly, The Summit is one of Meriton's blunders. Most forumers would undoutably agree.

How many Sydney CBD shoe-box residential towers have you actually been inside of? I'd be curious to know.

Also don't forget there are some reasonably ugly residential towers towards the Quay and around Kings Cross and Ultimo as well.

As for most of Meriton's and Australand's satellite CBD areas of Sydney, their residential complexes are as ugly to boot as well. Even some of their inner city complexes too.

In regard to Hong Kong, apart from the main H.K. island, most of the outlying residential towers look like housing commison towers gone absolutely wrong. Even some in Honker's main CBD as well.

BTW Not all of us have said that we love Hong Kong. I think that is in your own head.

You might want to save your breath hk-star. However you do of course have the 'right to reply'. Only if ya fee like it LOL. Wrong wrong wrong? Are all dissenting opinions from your own wrong wrong wrong?

For your information, I"ve been in many if not most of the resi towers in the CBD. Some are nicer than others, true. What's your point though? That just because some are bad, we shouldn't build any more? Huh? And what's so bad about Summit? Seems OK to me.

I wish there was greater "integration" between the towers and the retail/transport infrastructure of the city. Inclusion in arcades. Walkthrough from other buildings. But that's for the city planners, not the developers, to mandate.

And why mention "ugly" projects in Pyrmont, etc? I don't know what you're talking about.

What you seemed to imagine to be a devastating excoriation of my post, isn't. I have no idea what you're talking about. I just want more high-quality and good-looking development in this CBD, residential, office, hologram, secret nuclear missile silo, whatever. How can you disagree with that?

hk

Mmmkay. Thanks for your truthful answer. Much appreciated.

BTW As I posted, You do have the "right to reply" and "Only if ya feel like it"....and guess what?!? - ya did take up the 'offer', for want of a better word.

Cheers :)

Anyway, there is still a strong to weak chance of this becoming a resi tower.

If not successful with DA approval, we will know after the New Year's break/holidays whether or not J.B. Tower will either remain as a residential plan or to the former plan of becoming once again a commercial tower.

Stay tuned. Same channel, same time ;)

Is it possible that the res tower could go above 170m?
In other words would the developer have the option to add height to the original DA?

The waiting game andad1.

We'll all find out after the New Year.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
sorry to bop your balloon fab, but theres no hope of this one going commercial!!!!!
Its apartments all the way!

I'm not letting my hopes down!!!

Originally posted by andad1
Is it possible that the res tower could go above 170m?
In other words would the developer have the option to add height to the original DA?
The site has a 170m height limit! the 18m high architectural feature above the commercial roof DA was allowed due to minimal shadow impact on hyde park. I guess the 170m is a shoo in, and cheaper if theres no additions above! but who knows? Meriton might add a spire??lol

Originally posted by CULWULLA
Meriton might add a spire??lol Yeah riiiiiiiiiiiight. Truly LOL :laugh:

BTW Did anyone read my last few posts about J.B. Tower's commercial vs residential. I think not.

Wow a lot happens in a day !

And Despite the large number of res I still dont mind this. We Still need more Res and this is a prime site for views and I aggree with Cul this is best choice to get what we want and it has a good long term future effect.

I am notso sure a bust is coming any more. Thing Sydney is just leveling ou to rest of the cites in the world. And Glad this is making it more of a "living City"

We have heaps of space left. But I really do think we should push for development along out skirts of city before we start to rash 30 floors in city for new 50 floor towers. But the CDB is where its at !

But great line of thinking by Cul there "Also because the space in the city is being gulped up by apartment useage,this in turn means that the very few sites that are left for office towers will influence the new office towers to be all tall!!!"

Enough people work in the city already. Was in Sydney to day with a friend from Thailand and really talking to him about the metro area of Sydney out to Emu Plains is where ciyt end and people come as far at the mountains to work in the CDB. Sorry getting of track.

So yes. Bit of a shock but i have come to terms and still means a good future.

big news!!! the 188m design is staying!!
The model was lodged today as a white block and same design as approved 188m office tower. I had a look at new renders and there EXACTLY the same as office except there is two black bands at 1/3 and 2/3 way up tower. The nice green glazing is staying. The planner said it was unusual that the tower is staying the same (as opposed) to balconies. Similar to Trump tower in NYC. or Q1. glass facade no outdoor balcs.1 which is fine by me!!

So has Meriton bought the DA yet?:)

Originally posted by Sydguy1
So has Meriton bought the DA yet?:)
john Boyd properties have lodged there proposal with council. The council officers have to access the "change of use" and they will vote on its approval bedfore Xmas! If its approved as residential use (the planner already indicates she sees no problems), it will then go on the market and will probably get snapped up by harryT!

Excellent ( said in a Montgomery Burns voice ).

I'm now waiting for Cul to announce a 200+m commercial DA somewhere in the CBD. I think we're now officially 'overdue' for a major commercial DA to fill the current void of big time commercial projects.
It's all good dudes! :guns1:

Good that the design will remain but I feel annoyed about the change of use. The potential for commercial development in this part of town is very high being near Town Hall Station and this area really needs an injection of commercial activity as well particuarly with this part of Pitt St in my terms a hole.

suydneys tallest apartments in 2005-
over 120m -17 towers

WORLD TOWER-73ST/230M UC
163 CASTLEREAGH ST-50ST/188M start 2004?
CENTURY TOWER-50ST/183M
MERITON -46ST/169M UC
PEAK-46ST/166M
COVE-45ST/158M
HORDERN TOWERS-48ST/156M
101 BATHURST ST-45ST/151M start 2004
ASPECT-43ST/150M start soon
HORIZON-43ST/144M
QUAY WEST-44ST/142M
720 GEORGE ST-35ST/142M start 2004
RIALTO-45ST/137M uc
PARK REGIS-45ST/136M
ELAN-38ST/136M
OBSERVATORY-36ST/121M
VICTORIA TOWERS-36ST/120M
7/17 uc.


MELBOURNES TALLEST IN 2005
over 120m -13 towers

EUREKA-91ST/297M UC
1FWP-62ST/205M UC
VERVE 501-45ST/170M UC
ROYAL DOMAIN-44ST/162M UC
YE8-46ST/152M UC
VICTORIA POINT-42ST/140M UC
YE5-41ST/134M UC
QVRES-43ST/132M UC
VERVE 501-35ST/123M UC
CITY TOWER-37M/122M. UC
MELBOURNE TOWER-37ST/122M UC
REPUBLIC TOWERS- 36ST/120M
SEBAL SUITES-30ST/120M

11/13 are uc! amazing!

Wow once again that list shows the change in vertial living !
and glad this one keeping the cladding as balconies can cange the look of a building to make. There is something sleek about that glass side and happy it stays.

Wow... sounds like this tower is going to go ahead! I don't really care as to the use of the tower. Yes, it would have been nice to have an office tower in that location... but, hey, if there's a better chance of it getting built if it goes residential then I'm all for it.

Oh yeah, below I've created a simple 3d chart using Cul's residential tower data. Just interesting to see how things wil pan out in both cities.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/plebon82/CITY/Melbourne+-+Sydney+Restowers+UC.jpg

Thanks for the data Cul!

thanks for that fro! really indicates the list well! ive also made a thread on skyscrapers/skylines with tallest over 120m for each city.
Its amazing how much skyscrapers these days are actually units!

163 Castlereagh St could become the tallest hotel in Southern Hemisphere!!!
Thats a hint i was given the other day from the planner that had the previuos DA for John Boyd. Apparently when it becomes approved as residential it then can become serviced apartments but atm the Council arent happy with this option as its ruining the hotel sector in the city, BUT it could become just a HOTEL which would give John Boyd properties the lime light as boasting "tallest hotel in Southern hemisphere"!! At 188m its way taller than anything SH (Currently the 152m Crown in melb is the highest), and the only hotel mooted to surpass it would be the planned 60st/180m tower in Docklands which still falls short of 163 Castlereagh !!!
I think hotel is the way to go! Instead of more apartments lets give Sydney the tallest hotel in the Southern hemisphere!!!
Its location, Its views!!! it will be awesome!!

GREAT NEWS!! This will also mean we may see a glass curtain wall, as hotels (most) dont have balconies! Great stuff!!

I would support a hotel on the site. I think the hotel market can support it as the tourism market recovers and settles down following the post-olympics correction.

The floor space on this tower is HUGE (like 72,000 sq.m I think? Same as Citigroup), so the hotel option is great because even if Sydney doesn't need a hotel that big at the moment, they could always go half hotel, half apartments! Like The Tower above Grace Brothers, with apartments and the Merchant Court Hotel!

Just makes it that little bit more likely to actually be built! :)

Originally posted by CULWULLA
163 Castlereagh St could become the tallest hotel in Southern Hemisphere!!!
Thats a hint i was given the other day from the planner that had the previuos DA for John Boyd. Apparently when it becomes approved as residential it then can become serviced apartments but atm the Council arent happy with this option as its ruining the hotel sector in the city, BUT it could become just a HOTEL which would give John Boyd properties the lime light as boasting "tallest hotel in Southern hemisphere"!! At 188m its way taller than anything SH (Currently the 152m Crown in melb is the highest), and the only hotel mooted to surpass it would be the planned 60st/180m tower in Docklands which still falls short of 163 Castlereagh !!!
I think hotel is the way to go! Instead of more apartments lets give Sydney the tallest hotel in the Southern hemisphere!!!
Its location, Its views!!! it will be awesome!!

The Shangri La Hotel in Docklands will be 180m to the roof of the highest occupied floor. Plant levels above this will defintaely take it over 188m and if there is a nice architectural feature or spire it could go over 200m.

Originally posted by Grollo
The Shangri La Hotel in Docklands will be 180m to the roof of the highest occupied floor. Plant levels above this will defintaely take it over 188m and if there is a nice architectural feature or spire it could go over 200m.
oh well we will have to see if it gets over 180m?? i was told by architects when i helped build a quick foam model last year of this one that it had a definate 180m slapped on it! and that was RL180m!! so not sure how high Docklands is above sea level (say 3m?) so its so far down to 177m. It will probably have an internal LMR so i think you might be pushing to get it over 180m, BUT you never know ?? we will have to see??
when is it due to commence anyway??
cheers

Imagine waking up to this each morning.

Beautiful;)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pf282feee573db811da0d87c33308d712/fc530bb7.jpg

not bad Fab

Originally posted by CULWULLA
oh well we will have to see if it gets over 180m?? i was told by architects when i helped build a quick foam model last year of this one that it had a definate 180m slapped on it! and that was RL180m!! so not sure how high Docklands is above sea level (say 3m?) so its so far down to 177m. It will probably have an internal LMR so i think you might be pushing to get it over 180m, BUT you never know ?? we will have to see??
when is it due to commence anyway??
cheers

Here is the height control from the planning scheme:

420 BATMAN’S HILL PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS

420-1 Height control

The maximum height of a building shall not exceed the height specified in the Table to this Clause.
The maximum height of a building does not include architectural features or building services provided such elements are to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.
The height of a building is measured from the footpath level at the road alignment at the centre of the site.
If a site abuts two or more roads, then the height is measured from the lowest centre point of any frontage.

The table specifies a height of 180m.

cool, sounds though it will get 180m.
What happens when a building is %100 serviced apartments? does this qualify as a hotel?

I wouldn't call it a hotel, but the travel mags classify Park Regis and Waldorf as hotels.

Apartment tower may solve owner's problems


By Line : Kathryn House Published : 13/11/2003
Publication : Australian Financial Review Section : Property Page : 52
A 50-storey, $220 million apartment tower may be constructed near Sydney's Pitt Street Mall. The owner, John Boyd, originally planned to build an office tower on the site, but was unable to secure any tenants. This is taken as a sign of the present toughness of the city office market.
the rest of article is in fin review. sounds good!

I have access to the locked sections of AFR through work now, so no more locked articles for me! :D

Cul, can you see if you can find out about the new proposal submitted to Sydney City Council late last week?...like if the external design of the tower will change at all, and if so, in what way! Cheers!

Apartment tower may solve owner's problems
Nov 13
Kathryn House

A 50-storey apartment tower could be built near Sydney's Pitt Street Mall as the city's office market continues to struggle.

The site, which includes the historic Legion House, was amalgamated two years ago for a landmark office tower but the owner, John Boyd, has not been able to secure any tenants.

The new proposal, for a $220 million residential and serviced apartment building, was submitted to Sydney City Council late last week.

Property sources said Mr Boyd - the former owner of the advertising company Boyd Outdoor - is hedging his bets and could still build an office tower if a major tenant was secured. But, having missed out on several potential commitments - among them Westpac and Marsh & McLennan - Mr Boyd has lodged alternative plans.

It is the latest sign of how tough the city office market has become after several years of weak tenant demand.

In a new office market report, Chesterton International says more than 40,000 square metres of sub-lease space is still available across the city and this is where most of the recent leasing activity has occurred.

Analysts are tipping a recovery in the market; Chesterton is punting on 2005 while CB Richard Ellis says tenant demand should rebound next year as the global economic outlook improves.

But that time frame might be too late for Mr Boyd, judging by his new development application.

While Mr Boyd did not return calls from The Australian Financial Review, plans lodged with the council indicate the tower will have as much as 60,000 square metres of residential and serviced apartments above ground-floor retail and a public plaza.

The scheme was designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, the firm which devised the original office tower proposal. Bovis Lend Lease has been retained as project manager.

The initial plan, for a 55,000 sq m office tower, was approved last year and a modified scheme was given the nod earlier this year.

In its new submission, FJMT says the residential tower "mirrors and reflects the design and form of the previously approved commercial building" and would be developed within the same building envelope.

About 20 per cent of the tower - the lower levels - would be set aside for serviced apartments while levels 12 to 50 would be residential units.

The tower is being developed on five sites that Mr Boyd amalgamated at a reported cost of about $52 million. The properties are a block from Hyde Park and opposite the Citigroup tower, offering frontage to both Castlereagh Street and Pitt Street.

They include Pitt Street Plaza, Legion House, the old Greater Union building, Angus and Sons House and the former Brashs building.

It is a major endeavour for Mr Boyd, whose only other well-known property play was to stitch together a development approval for a site at 270 Pitt Street. He never developed the project but sold it to a New Zealand company for a profit.

So this one's still up in the clouds. There's signs outside the site for an office tower.

They still the old signs for several months ago
GUess they wont change till the tower gets ago ahead
or Boyd is looking for intrest

Model revised

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid88/p3776c03abf0792d521445dc5d8f4f820/fa92e55a.jpg

The glass indicators the height and area the architectural feature can cover. Culwulla can correct me if I'am wrong.

Model revised and it will remain the same shape

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid88/p3776c03abf0792d521445dc5d8f4f820/fa92e55a.jpg

The glass indicates the height and area the architectural feature can cover. Culwulla can correct me if I'am wrong.

Fab i though Cul said they were going with the first DA approved desgin no the one shown here

Geez, that model looks so boxy! It's good if Lend Lease are project managers (just keep it away from Meriton lol)....

What a drama - hope John Boyd can still find a commercial tenant....

Yes seems from the article they are reluctant to go residential but will if they have to.

Originally posted by Fabian
Model revised and it will remain the same shape

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid88/p3776c03abf0792d521445dc5d8f4f820/fa92e55a.jpg

The glass indicates the height and area the architectural feature can cover. Culwulla can correct me if I'am wrong.


Whoever took this image it is fantastic.

Been said it was going to be this one ( found the image looking back)
http://www.boydproperties.com.au/images/p2.gif
or is it Cul

finn, ive seen the new DA renders which were in new booklet submitted to council. they were side by side with approved office tower, and they exactly the same!! the only dif was that new tower had more black bands at every 10 floors or so. but its same green glass and external finishes as office tower. so thats good news! also same lourved architectural feature!

The large advertisement outside the old Greater Union Pitt Centre advertising the office tower has disappeared.....

hrrrrm - no surprise with the news of being a seemingly unsuccessful take off as an office tower.

Originally posted by Muse
The large advertisement outside the old Greater Union Pitt Centre advertising the office tower has disappeared.....

hrrrrm - no surprise with the news of being a seemingly unsuccessful take off as an office tower.
the project went to council last week. The planner has told me that over next couple of months they JBoyd is going to weigh up its options to see what proposal is more appropriate. Office or resi? They should decide early 2004 and then we will see what will happen. Im thinking the resi option will be more viable. they will then market the project and attract a builder ect.
should start late 2004.

the new model came in today but wont be placed in model til next year. It looks awesome. Little bit thinner than previous plan. ALso has new 12storey blocks fronting pitt st attached to facade. The facade now has 5m high bands that are 2m deep and appear at 1/3 and 2/3 up tower. Also a vertical cut out.

Here we go again ...... more residential .........

Can we see a pic of the new revised model???

Originally posted by CULWULLA
The new model came in today but wont be placed in model till next year. It looks awesome. Little bit thinner than previous plan. Also has new 12storey blocks fronting Pitt St attached to facade. The facade now has 5m high bands that are 2m deep and appear at 1/3 and 2/3 up tower. Also a vertical cut out. We generally like thinner towers in Sydney and the 5m bands won't go astray adding to really nice architectuaral features.

Also as long as that wonderful grated feature atop will still be part of the development.

We we will wait to see if it will still be either 188m or 170m above ground.

From Faibian's revised model for the model room it certainly looks 188m @ the very least:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid88/p3776c03abf0792d521445dc5d8f4f820/fa92e55a.jpg

Either way, with is still :? being a mixed use tower with retail @ the base (indeed it will) and hopefully some commercial floors @ its main podium.

Anyway, this one still has to go ahead, regardless - here's most deifinitely hoping :okay: and it will certainly be worth the long-awaited wait, no doubt.

muse- the height of 188m is DEFINATE! The planner has told me they dont want to go lower. Also the grated top feaure is still there. It basically looks identical to approved jboyd tower but more "refined". Its more 'sculptured" now and "finalised" design.
Its about 2-3m thinner so hardley noticable on this tower. illt ry to take pic of it to show you!

Originally posted by CULWULLA
muse- the height of 188m is DEFINATE! The planner has told me they dont want to go lower. Also the grated top feaure is still there. It basically looks identical to approved jboyd tower but more "refined". Its more 'sculptured" now and "finalised" design.
Its about 2-3m thinner so hardley noticable on this tower. Ill'll try to take pic of it to show you! Please do CULWULLA, either from your Town Hall submmisons of otherwise.

Looking forward to CULS that as I'm sure other forumers will be looking forward to it to boot. :okay:

Well seem like we have almost got a define answer here after waiting some time !!

I think this will definately go ahead. The planner has stuck it out this long which only shows how determined they indeed are!!
Because of the design it really wont matter whats inside, although commercial would be better as more business is attracted to this end of town which in future would mean more skyscrapers around the area. Anyways i have a feeling that a commercial tenant will be found. Lets hope Australia's economy is still rolling ahead cause thats the only thing that will stop this.

scoop! final design apartment model!
managed to borrow model for a photo shoot! I think youll agree it looks superb! very well crafted!
love the little set backs at street.

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233014.jpg

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233015.jpg

its now 3m set away from southern property.

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233016.jpg

check out the detailed top!

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233017.jpg

wow!

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233018.jpg

http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233019.jpg




:D

Not bad!! :cool:

I am happy with any design as long as it is all glass i.e. no balconies! :D

Originally posted by AltiusAltiusAltius
Not bad!! :cool:

I am happy with any design as long as it is all glass i.e. no balconies! :D
yeah the original green facade still applies! the balconies are hidden behind glass, kinda like enclosed.

Yeah, "glass louvres" and "winter gardens" are much better in the CBD than open balconies! :)

The revised design is an improvement on before, particularly in relation to the bands which stand out much more than the previous design. I'm also impressed the podium of the Pitt St side because it will add to the bulk and density of Pitt St.

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THATS UNBELIEVABLE!

This may be a stupid question, but what is the status of the towers shown in white on either side of the AMP Tower in this pic?
http://www.emporis.co.uk/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233018.jpg

I know Westfield wants to build on top of Centrepoint. How far has this progressed? (can't find a thread about this.)

the centrepoint project is still going ahead but not until 2005. heres the thread>

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=947317#post947317

That great
Now I understand the roof feature given all the the angles :)

I love it when Cul types his "scoops" in big bold text ! :)
Here's hoping the interest rate hikes don't put a dampener on the inner city apartment market.
I love the design and it looks bloody TALL, almost as tall as Citigroup ( even though its a 20 m shorter). Does it have a higher RL or are my eyes being deceived ??????

It looks a bloody beauty in the new model!! :D

I'm a bit concerned though at the moment about a project like this (being about 400+ apartments) and the Regent Place complex (450 apartments) coming on the market in the same time frame...I really don't think the current market could handle them both at once! :dizzy:

Well, here's hoping the undeniable quality (and unfortunately, most likely prices to match) and style of these developments will pull them through and give us two new stunners for Sydney's skyline! :? :)

Originally posted by spazpecker
I love it when Cul types his "scoops" in big bold text ! :)
Here's hoping the interest rate hikes don't put a dampener on the inner city apartment market.
I love the design and it looks bloody TALL, almost as tall as Citigroup ( even though its a 20 m shorter). Does it have a higher RL or are my eyes being deceived ??????
scoop! lol
the RL of JB tower is 208m and height to citigroups main roof is also 208m! The base of Citigroups spire RL228m.
finn- yeah it does spell doom and gloom, but I think Lumiere @ Regent pl wont go til 2005 but JB will commence 2004.
we will have to see.

Wow, CUL.
I thought the development had a height limit of RL188m....now it's RL208M. Awesome

Originally posted by finn
I'm a bit concerned though at the moment about a project like this (being about 400+ apartments) and the Regent Place complex (450 apartments) coming on the market in the same time frame...I really don't think the current market could handle them both at once! :dizzy:Not at all finn. There seems to be absolutley no slowing down at this point in time for people wanting to live in the main Sydney CBD.

Esp. with all the sexy alluring marketing campaigns that will begin to appear in the porperty pages of the main stream media.

Also once the Cross City tunnel is completed way before these mid-town residential towers are completed, there should be no problems.

Once the tunnel is completed, there will be less traffic for the new residents to contend with, incl. wider footpaths and hopefully the light rail will be approved to run form Central to Circular Quay.

In regard to the enclosed balconies for the John Boyd Tower behind the glass at this stage, what a plus! :D

Only subtle changes but it really does look better, very Bang & Olufsen :-) Should be an awesome tower. Has the nmber of levels changes with the conversion to residential?

Originally posted by Grollo
Only subtle changes but it really does look better, very Bang & Olufsen :-) Should be an awesome tower. Has the nmber of levels changes with the conversion to residential?
yeah it was 40 storeys, its now 50storeys.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
Yeah it was 40 storeys, it's now 50 storeys.CULWULLA, does that meant now that it is a proposed residential that will have shorter floor to celing heights?

BTW When it was being advertiesd outside the now redundant G.U. Pitt Centre, it was 44 office levels, besides the ground levels.

Originally posted by Muse
CULWULLA, does that meant now that it is a proposed residential that will will have shorter floor to celing heights?

BTW When it was being advertiesd outside the now redundant G.U. Pitt Centre, it was 44 office levels, besides the ground levels.
it might be 40 + podium which = 44. But definatley as reduced floor to floor heights .office floors would of been close to 4m but now is closer to 3m per floor.

I like the new design. Bang and Olufsen!?? LOL. :D

Here's hoping it goes ahead, as finn states, the apartment market may be heading for a *gasp* decline in the Sydney CBD. But I really hope it doesnt, and I'm sure the demand is still there...

If this tower was proposed for a site in the northern CBD it would be marketed, sold and built very quickly !

If it was down in the southern CBD ( Liverpool/Goulburn/Sussex region) then I'd be a tad pessimistic about its chances given the amount of activity happening / about to happen there.

Perhaps the saving grace for this proposal is that it's in the "east midtown" CBD precinct which means that it has a different sales 'proposition' to the south. The marketers will certainly be selling its location ( its proximity to Hyde Pk, the 'big end' of town, Pitt St Mall, Castlereagh 'high end' shopping etc) as a key point of difference.

Fingers crossed.

Can we stop using the term Midtown something about just sounds really try hardie:baaa:

Originally posted by Sydguy1
Can we stop using the term Midtown something about just sounds really try hardie:baaa:
lol!
well Sydney is now getting so BIG, that we difinatley can call certain parts of the CBD other names.
The area near the quay is a sort of corporate/office sector,
then midtown from martin place to bathurst st maybe called -retail precinct,
then southern end of town from bathurst to central railway-residential sector.
This is what we tell students groups when we have model talks.:D

Don't get excited just wondering if there has been any news on this at all or is it just sitting in Idle mode still.

Originally posted by Sydguy1
Don't get excited just wondering if there has been any news on this at all or is it just sitting in Idle mode still.
actually i was going to let everyone know, next thursday its going up for approval for residential use!!
It should go through with flying colours and then JBoyd properties will start marketing the project.

Hope it get through ( we all do )

I love this tower
Its going to have a huge presence in that area of the CBD!!

when it goes to the market, JBoyd properties will hope it sells and sells well, if not they will put the site up for sale as a " DA approved package deal" and who ever has the millions to purchase the site and package can proceed with construction! two guesses who is already interested!!!
yes, HarryT will certainly buy this wonderful oportunity and develope the 50storey apartment tower. he loves doing this. he did it with Princeton,Rialto, Meriton Tower,World tower and the Summit.
they were just old approved DA"s sitting on the shelf.
So either way, JBoyd tower will be erected and probably start this year!!
:D

Cul

You mentioned it will retain its green facade... but from the pics ive been presented with, its quite a blue facade. Am i missing something???

There's always someone with millions of dollars so there's no doubt it might start.:)

So did it get approved?

And are their any more Renderings besides the old ones we already have.

Originally posted by Sydguy1
So did it get approved?

And are their any more Renderings besides the old ones we already have.
its approved as a residential tower!!!
went through last night. no probs!
I havent seen new renderings but no doubt there will be some.
So i suppose next step will be JBoyd properties will start marketing the project to perspective buyers? Interesting to see how it goes. Regent Place is just started marketing. other new ones wil be Rialto and mneriton which were going to be serviced but now fully residential! Also Aspect,cassia,East will come on line next year. so JBoyd might have some competition. who knows, if they dont get any interest they will sell DA package and Harryt will build it. so either way this suckers going to be erected within 3 year!:guns1:

I noted recently in the SMH an article about office lettings and the predictions are that after a bottoming soon, the expectations for the future, 2005? 2006?, are for rising demand. Boyd may yet be forced to another back flip given the incredible number of apartments coming on stream in the CBD.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
its approved as a residential tower!!!
went through last night. no probs!
I havent seen new renderings but no doubt there will be some.
So i suppose next step will be JBoyd properties will start marketing the project to perspective buyers? Interesting to see how it goes. Regent Place is just started marketing. other new ones wil be Rialto and mneriton which were going to be serviced but now fully residential! Also Aspect,cassia,East will come on line next year. so JBoyd might have some competition. who knows, if they dont get any interest they will sell DA package and Harryt will build it. so either way this suckers going to be erected within 3 year!:guns1:

Even though Rialto and Meriton Towers were not approved as serviced apartments, I strongly doubt that they will be marketed by Meriton as apartments for sale - they will probably join Meriton's collection of properties for lease, through their apartment management branch >> Meriton's Properties For Lease (http://www.meriton.com.au/fmpro?-DB=meritonprojects.fp5&-Lay=details&-format=/meriton/leasinglist.html&-error=/meriton/errorlist.html&-sortField=areasort&-sortorder=ascend&swleasing=1&-Find)

I suppose there's a remote chance that Meriton could go up for sale, seeing as its still at foundation stage, but there's no way that Rialto will.

And while there's not too much other competiton (besides the massive Regent Place), the mood at the moment in the residential market is not particularly strong (certainly not like it was a coupe of years ago), so it will most likely take a while for this one to get going...may even go back to office before it gets built as a residential! Mixed-use would be ideal though! :)

well here is pix of new apartment tower design. ive posted them before but not as grey "approved" colour.

http://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2004/03/252085.jpg

should look impressive from Hyde Park.

http://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2004/03/252087.jpg

Please Please Please.Let this tower be built.:bow: :bow: :bow:

I hugely doubt that this will be built during this construction cycle... maybe give it a few years, hopefully for the arse to drop out of the residential sector then to pick up again. Thanks for the pics Cul, I like to see it grey. Love what's going on down at the podium level, looks interesting.

When it gets built, it'll change the whole make-up of that section of Pitt St. And I love that.

So keep up the praying Sydguy!:D

...and no balconies! Yey!

BTW Why do the Hyde Park trees look furry 'n mouldy? LOL

A bit concerned about the start date on this one i.e. if or when. Seeing that there will be a flood of Meriton Apartments coming on line for sale since the SSC made it virtually impossible for them to turn W.T.'s Premier Section, Rialto and Meriton Tower into serviced aparments. That's a lot of apartments coming on-line.

So yeah, keep praying for all of us Sydguy1.

Originally posted by Muse
...and no balconies! Yey!



Perfect!!!!:) About time Sydney got such a tower which I find to fit in better amongst the surrounding scrapers.

Those pics make it look as stunning as ever. The podium looks very nice too and will make a nice lunchtime escape for workers. On days like today the trees will come in very handy and improves the appeal of it and will make this one a standout from other scraper podiums which appear to be dull and in many cases lifeless. :) I'm also a bit surprised by the fact they would allow open space within the podium of the tower. Council policy normally would ban this.

Originally posted by Fabian
I'm also a bit surprised by the fact they would allow open space within the podium of the tower. Council policy normally would ban this.

It's not that surprising, because the design also reflects another of Sydney City's key development policies - to encourage pedestrian laneways and links through blocks! This development looks much better than the typical arcade, because it has the width and shape to make it a little public square!

This design is fantastic and I hope very very much that it gets started sometime in the next couple of years (or basically ASAP! ;)).

@Muse, JBoyd tower is actually full of balconies! all cleverly hidden behind glass walling.
The 2metre deep crevaces are where they are located.you can see them on western and southern elevations.sorry its hard to explain, but the planner has shown me them on plans.

model pic showing the grooved sections where the balcs are located.

http://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233017.jpg
the reason why there is 2m deep grooves is beacuse of the enclosed balcs on every floor.

http://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2003/12/233015.jpg

cant wait to walk thru QVB across george street, through new Hilton podium then across Pitt street into JBoyds site link through to Castlereagh street!!









Just on the schedule on this one, i have a sneeking suspicion it will commence this year.! cant say why i know this.;)

your always such a teaste Cul

Yeah, teasin' 'n taunting us!

Of course CULWULLA I meant lots of exposed 'balgoonies' that give us a 'living and breathing city'.....'spose! :ohno: :happy: :ohno:

Originally posted by Muse
Yeah, teasin' 'n taunting us!

Of course CULWULLA I meant lots of exposed 'balgoonies' that give us a 'living and breathing city'.....'spose! :ohno: :happy: :ohno: :hilarious

Wow this tower will be unbelievable!
We really are getting spolit if this one gets to start this year!!!
YAY spolit us with so many towers going up....:cheers:
BOOM is the word ;)

So there will be a walk over to the Building
Great
there are not nearly enough of those in city. Been looking around and it seems they are very common in places on high traffic city centers in other places in the world
Cross walks can slow traffic by importand mins. In tokyo predestrion plazas are built over the roads to add a whole other level !. Oh well another cross over will be good !

Despite the approval of JB as a residential tower, billboards promoting it as an office tower are still present along the Pitt St side of the site. It may still suggest that they are prepared to go either way either commercially or residentially. Regardless, the final product is set to be good.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid108/pce4eeda89b3d03d5091a58d05ed15339/f94c8bad.jpg

Originally posted by Fabian
[B]Despite the approval of JB as a residential tower, billboards promoting it as an office tower are still present along the Pitt St side of the site. It may still suggest that they are prepared to go either way either commercially or residentially. Regardless, the final product is set to be good.

fabian, it was only approved last week as an apartment tower!! i mentioned a while back that JBoyd properties will weigh up the options of going office or resi. this might take months!
so please dont think they will advertise apartments soon as these things take time.
patience!!

Yeah, hedgding their bets.

Is this the first time we've seen it grey in the model room? (Popped in quickly on Friday).

chatted to planner today and word is that JB tower is goingcombination-residential/office!!
the tower will stay same and will be apartments while podium will be office component! this is great news! Sydney needs more combination projects.
It wont be a mixed tower but still all residential, sought of like Cassia Garden, its tower is all residential with a 7 storey office bldg infront on George st.
The section 96 DA change will come in soon to indicate changes at podium level.
This is sounding more and more like its a goer!:guns1:

:D:D
Gonna impact big time on the area it is in. I'm very very happy about this one. Probably my favourite going up.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
chatted to planner today and word is that JB tower is goingcombination-residential/office!!
the tower will stay same and will be apartments while podium will be office component! this is great news! Sydney needs more combination projects.
It wont be a mixed tower but still all residential, sought of like Cassia Garden, its tower is all residential with a 7 storey office bldg infront on George st.
The section 96 DA change will come in soon to indicate changes at podium level.
This is sounding more and more like its a goer!:guns1:

I think it's most viable option at the moment, seeing the uncertainity of the residential market along with the office market. If this scheme gets the go ahead, this will be a true "vertical village"

And at least it will bring at least some satisfaction to everyone.:)

After Latitude and before a final decision on Thakral's proposal, this is the best bet Sydney's CBD has got going in the height stakes.

Sounds like Boyd is playing smart and not putting all of its eggs into one basket.

Cititgroup needs a substantial partner.

This is excellent news Cul.

However, it seems that if the office component is just a smaller 7 story joobie then that's still one massive residential tower. I really am dubious as to Sydney's CBD can take another mamoth res tower this late into the cycle.

But, please, please, please, proove me wrong! :D



note: Cul what do you mean George St? "It wont be a mixed tower but still all residential, sought of like Cassia Garden, its tower is all residential with a 7 storey office bldg infront on George st."

You mean Pitt St?

Originally posted by fro
This is excellent news Cul.

However, it seems that if the office component is just a smaller 7 story joobie then that's still one massive residential tower. I really am dubious as to Sydney's CBD can take another mamoth res tower this late into the cycle.

But, please, please, please, proove me wrong! :D



note: Cul what do you mean George St? "It wont be a mixed tower but still all residential, sought of like Cassia Garden, its tower is all residential with a 7 storey office bldg infront on George st."

You mean Pitt St?
the "George st" im referring to is the frontage for Cassia Garden.
Im now told the bottom 10 or so floors of JBoyd will be office also.
Its not too late for this cycle. Sydney tends to sneak through "busts". Sydney is a big city and doesnt suffer that much, theres always seems to be someone to buy the units.

Office base is always a good move at least
take up the lower space with that as it not as attractive space. Hope this increase the chances. Its been a month any news

ive asked planner and she said there might be some "action" in a few months.
not sure what she ment. ill keep you posted.

Yesterday (Sunday), Pitt Street was closed to traffic and there was a mobile crane operating and reaching into the John Boyd site.... I dunno what that means.

From another thread on July 30:i got word last week from a city planner that the 50storey John Boyd tower approved as a resdiential tower or an office tower, will soon commence construction as an office tower!! this is the best news for Sydney. Its design is brilliant and will stand 188m!!Dunno what it means. all this uncertainty. lol

So gazmo, any more specifics? Where was the mobile crane actually reaching in to? The tragic shopping arcadey thingy?

So gazmo, any more specifics? Where was the mobile crane actually reaching in to? The tragic shopping arcadey thingy?

Looked that way, it was parked infront of the Ted's Camera House and reaching into the acrade.

Ah, O.K. gazmo.

Going downtown tomorrow so might sniff around.

In office construction, apart from KENS and 126 Phiilip, this one has got to go ahead ASAP. We need a new 600+ footer to oggle at now that Latitude is coming to an end.

if its was going to be all offices then surely no construction would happen until they get someone to lease some/most of the space wouldnt it ? The good thing about apartments is that they can be built straight away and sold as it goes up ala Regent place.

This has been an ongoing saga christarrant. Hopefully by now they have some tenants or some serious lookers.

LOL @ Regent Place and other apartments. Regent Place has been a hole in the ground for over 10 years. Since Foster came on board it has been a relatively smooth ride though. Aspect has been about 4 years in the making and The Common's construction date kept getting put back.

Arhaeological digs and other matters add to it all.

Johnny Boydie is coming, I can feel it, I can smell it! LOL I love the mystery crain story - only 720 George and Thakral CityOne Monster cranes could have ignited my imagination even better...

Can't wait to see that crappy bunch of shops flattened and a new office landmark erected! Groovy arcade underneath is a must! :) :)

ooooh!
All this excitement! lol I can feel another tower!

ALTHOUGH

cos im a party pooper and i like to ruin fun (:D lol) wouldn't Cul have come exploding into the forums cyber yelling at us that this baby is going up?

HEY - im not complaining that its getting built though :D:D

^ You obviously didn't worry about reading the few posts on the last page that led to this.

As Homer Simpson would go

Whooooooooooooooooooo

I had hoped for this to be office all along!!!!! :D It was just too wrong to waste this site with an residential tower in this part of town. I wonder what provoked the move to office. Did they get their anchor *cough*AMP *cough*??

Cul, wasn't I right about the possiblity of it going either way - that they were still prepared to build it as office?

It's going to be a neat addition to the mid CBD precient

JB Tower has approval for either office structure of resi structure. The latest from a planner is that JB properties are leaning towards an office structure and may start this year. Last week Australia's office space stats come out and we are now in the black which means people are looking for new A grade office space.There arnt many office towers approved or planned atm so JB is looking better all the time!

There arnt many office towers approved or planned atm so JB is looking better all the time!

If Ms Clover would have any say in it (and she will), apparently this city is in more dire need of four-storey bars.

If Ms Clover would have any say in it (and she will), apparently this city is in more dire need of four-storey bars.

Dont worry, the bitch came in well after this proposal got initial approval. The cow can't always get it her way. She is also answerable to big busy along with the residents even if she desires nothing but 4 storey bars .... LOL

I also read tha article in the SMH last saturday about office space looking good in Sydney and there's a demand for it that hasn't been seen for a while. The problem I see is that do they factor in the construction of Latitude, Civic and KENS? Because there's some MASSIVE office space just around the corner (civic), down the track a few months (Latitude) and in a couple of years time (KENS).

I just hope JB Tower can get the go ahead with those existing offic towers... just hope Dirt Cheap CD's relocated to another nice CBD location! :D

Sure that there are other places for cheap rent for store like that
and wehn cul says it may happen get me really excited that this is just around the corner
still have to wait longer. as there really has been no new despite the fact that topic has become hot again in here

JB Tower has approval for either office structure of resi structure. The latest from a planner is that JB properties are leaning towards an office structure and may start this year. Last week Australia's office space stats come out and we are now in the black which means people are looking for new A grade office space.There arnt many office towers approved or planned atm so JB is looking better all the time!


From Laing and Simmonds website >>>>>>
SYDNEY, JULY 2004
A positive business outlook and rising white collar employment are expected to drive a recovery in the Sydney office market. Many large corporations are expected to expand their businesses and consequently require extra office space. Along with buoyant demand from local companies, the city is also likely to benefit from multinationals looking to relocate at least part of their Asia Pacific operations to Sydney from significantly more expensive office markets such as Singapore or Hong Kong. Improved leasing market conditions are anticipated to cut back rental incentives and markedly push up the rental levels in Sydney in 2005.

I also read tha article in the SMH last saturday about office space looking good in Sydney and there's a demand for it that hasn't been seen for a while. The problem I see is that do they factor in the construction of Latitude, Civic and KENS? Because there's some MASSIVE office space just around the corner (civic), down the track a few months (Latitude) and in a couple of years time (KENS).

I just hope JB Tower can get the go ahead with those existing offic towers... just hope Dirt Cheap CD's relocated to another nice CBD location! :D

Latitude is mostly pre-leased (to Ernst & Young and AAPT), and Civic has a few pre-commitments, so these two complexes probably only have enough contiguous space left for smaller tenancies and boutique space...useless to a business which wants a lot of space.

KENS is already 100% pre-committed to Westpac, so no pressure on the office market there! :)

If Ms Clover would have any say in it (and she will), apparently this city is in more dire need of four-storey bars.Ah shadup!

BTW I have an "appointment" to speak J.B. Properties to speak directly with them tomorrow between 10.30AM - 11.00AM to get the lowdown on 163 Castlereagh St.

Once I can find out what I can from the phone call, I will post it in this thread :okay:.

...

so excited

Ah shadup!

BTW I have an "appointment" to speak with John Boyd on the phone of John Boyd Properties to speak directly with him tomorrow between 10.30AM - 11.00AM to get the lowdown on 163 Castlereagh St.

Once I can find out what I can from the phone call, I will post it in this thread :okay:.

...

:eek2:

Can't wait for what he says!

Can't wait for what they say!Well, kind of bad news.

Firstly I just poke with J.B. properties on the phone (literally only 10 mins ago) and over the next 3 months they will be deciding whether it will be a mixed tower i.e. commercial/apartment tower.

Secondly, if the above "falls through", in the next 6 months they will go for a fully fledged office tower with a retail base.

:master: Please, oh please go for the office option.

Here we go again - the "waiting game" :(

...

sounds cool. what ever happens it will commence this year.

I had been pumped up for nothing. :bash:

I too will hope that they stick for the office option - it's the best option for the site. Six months is plenty of time to grab that all important anchor tenant.

I won't mind if they decide to go mixed use.

That's why Fabian you shouldn't get interested in anything until you see a crane.

well some new is better than nonea
and at least we know there are very intrested parties still and a future no matter what
thanks

That's why Fabian you shouldn't get interested in anything until you see a crane.

:?

I get interested the moment the concrete starts pouring , crane or no crane.

they wont go mixed.i talked to planner and there are issues about that. so it will be fully office with some retail components at ground level.

Gee CULWULLA. That certainly differs from what JB Properties said to me yesterday.

what does JB know?lol

I really hope this gets the go ahead soon ......

they wont go mixed.i talked to planner and there are issues about that. so it will be fully office with some retail components at ground level.

Why would the SCC planners have issues with the tower being mixed use? It's a scraper regardless of what use/s it has.

I can only come up with one issue that it could bring up- an increase in traffic congestion associated with vehicle movements in and out of the complex.

Hope it happens. This pic by fabian ( minus Centerpoint tower) shows its impact !!!!!!!!!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid51/p2a26af0abf1b67ec080513a4a8115b6d/fc9dfae1.jpg

Chris, here are some better pics showing it's impact on the skyline. The best impact will be from the east where nothing stands in the way.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/p94744a9d68da8f6c03327ee2298b0c42/fcea8e2c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p41d288e70cac0239d23e04476eea6c03/fc530ce8.jpg

Here's a better one as seen from the west

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/p55753f509981f3b41939507e9fd8ff1e/fcea8c15.jpg