THE real estate advertisement looks tempting: a stunning studio apartment with spectacular harbour views in the luxurious, almost new apartment block Beau Monde, in North Sydney.

Missing, however, is any mention that under a proposal to go before the local council tonight the Berry Street building may end up losing those glorious harbour views when two huge commercial towers are built directly in front of it - on land owned by the same developer, Eastmark Holdings.

While North Sydney Council says it is simply following State Government directions to increase commercial space in its CBD, many residents of the apartment block are outraged that they could be walled in by towering commercial buildings.

Under the council proposal to be considered tonight, the developer of the Beau Monde would potentially enjoy a huge windfall, as towers could be erected on the existing North Sydney Shopping World to take the total height of the complex to between 155 metres and 170 metres from its present 70 metres.

Only the penthouse apartments in Beau Monde would retain their dramatic panoramas.

Other residential buildings nearby would also be affected by the easing of height restrictions.

"The developer of our apartments would then be effectively obliterating all views from the building to the south," said Margaret McGowen, the chairwoman of Beau Monde's executive committee.

"We'd end up with a huge wall of skyscrapers all around us. It's quite amazing North Sydney Council is even considering this, especially when the area's already overbuilt and there's just been the report about the need for more open space for pedestrians in Sydney. Instead, we're getting higher buildings, more of them, and much more overshadowing."

Eastmark Holdings did not return the Herald's calls on Friday. The council's general manager, Penny Holloway, said the council would consider the amendment to the Local Environment Plan because of the State Government target of increasing commercial floor space in its CBD and the need for a larger, sustainable commercial core to provide jobs for locals.

"It's a question of development potential in that area, rather than being driven by individual property owners," she said. "There was never any intention for there not to be any more development on this site."

Meanwhile, Beau Monde residents have hired a planning specialist to help them argue their case that the proposed new building heights would create a congested, tall cluster of buildings in a very small area.:bash::bash::bash::bash:
"We are concerned that North Sydney Council has not adequately addressed the potential implications of development on such a large scale," Ms McGowen said.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/views-to-cry-for/2007/12/09/1197135289400.html

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It mentions 'towers'. So more than one!

It is located right in front of Bleu Monde....haha. OWNED!

http://www.northsydneysw.com.au/media/NSSW_MAP_1.gif

What kind of idiot buys an apartment surrounded by office towers and expects to never be built out?

Are the council actually considering DAs for new towers, or just an increase in the height limits?

It says that the new proposal will be considered in Council tonight...so it must be the DA.

"Many recent sales and lease deals have also reflected A-grade prices in non-core CBD locations. This trend is likely to continue in 2008 and will see a continued strengthening of other commercial markets such as North Sydney," Mr Hodge said.

Good news. A grade office blocks are in high demand!

It's just a local environment plan to raise height limits and floor space ratios: http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/resources/documents/PDS01102.pdf. The heights are RL heights.

I think the most interesting thing in there is that Beau Monde was a court approved development - the council holds the opinion that Beau Monde is an anomaly in the recognised commercial core.

yeah, too bad, that's what happens when you buy apartments in the centre of a commercial cbd, especially now that there is so much pressure for office space with so little room that the only way is up!

such hiprocrites in so called-Beau Monde's executive committee. what idiots, did they realise whn they bought there city pad, maybe oneday a new bldg may block there views?? be good to see 2x 500footers go up. add 60m to there heiughts and that would be there sea level heights.both well over 200m.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Fabian/Sydney%20City/P8152324A.jpg

they really must be kidding themselves, their apartments are primed for build out!

I can see where they are comming from, imagine paying 1 million for an apartment just for the views of the city, then imagine it getting built out. But you would be stupid as hell to think that view is secured forever.

But i'm all for more highrises in North Sydney.

How bright do you have to be to figure this one out? It's in the heart of a major CBD, ferchrissakes... Amazing how these people can make so much money and be able to afford such apartments but not smart enough to pick up on this sort of thing. Making money is a talent not necessarily associated with intelligence of other sorts, f'rinstance, the wallies in The Tower (Not Cheap!) objecting to Mid-City and Westfield, and even that small group high up in ESP (apts cost +/-$1m!)at Victoria Park objecting to a tower 100m+ away. Now we've got this lot...honestly!

On the other hand, I'm so smart I can't make a million or two?...

I can see where they are comming from, imagine paying 1 million for an apartment just for the views of the city, then imagine it getting built out.

But i'm all for more highrises in North Sydney.

Of course... but when are people in Sydney going to realise that THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF A VIEW. The law is not on their side. When you buy into a building you have to make very sure that the view you can see will never be changed in any way otherwise there's every possibility that it will be built out and there's nothing you can do about it. This one reason having an apartment on Hyde Park would be completely awesome.

As I currently work in North Sydney, I often walk to Berry Square and when you look at it surrounded on all sides by towers, one can't help but think that sooner or later another tower will go in there.

North Sydney is a predominately Commercial area and an obvious location for more office blocks, I don't think these residents have a leg to stand on. However the roads around there are pretty small as they are, let alone with more office workers in the vacinity.

Too bad for the apartment owners. North Sydney desparately needs these two towers. will revive that section of the CBd. It's so lifeless.

in that case it probably needs more resi towers to bring on some life!

150/170m, how tall is that compared to the optus tower?

Northpoint is the tallest in North Sydney at 131m followed by Optus at 120m based on the height data provided by Emporis.

The proposed towers would be the tallest in North Sydney without a doubt!!!

in that case it probably needs more resi towers to bring on some life!

It's also street level as well. North Sydney is lacking with restaurants and cafes and lacks the retail diversity of the Sydney CBD. Shopping hours are also restricted with shops closing at 3pm on Saturdays with few shops open on Sundays.

North Sydney Shoppingworld is a disappointment.

N Syd is just waiting for a revamp. More residential would be good and would maybe promt some street level activity and rejuvination. Its an obvious area for expansion, given proximity to CBD, views (ever changing lol), existing train station and another proposed one (if I remember rightly?).

Council is very conservative, but N Syd could be great in 10 -15 years. Glad I just bought a place down the road!

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Brendan, you must be 15. Also the towers proposed are office towers not apartments so I don't know why your heart sank?

I agree that the retail centre is only really geared towards office workers. The VC pub in the Victoria Cross is closing down as it doesn't make enough money as people only go there on a Friday night after work.

There's a lot more at stake for a city than looks. More resi in ns would easily fill because its so close to the sydney cbd and hence there would be the market for more services on ground level beyond business hours which would snowball into even more growth satisfying fabians concerns.

be good to see 2x 500footers go up. add 60m to there heiughts and that would be there sea level heights.both well over 200m.

Aren't RL heights based on sea level? If so, that means you need to take 60m off the heights to get the building heights: 95m and 110m. There's some mention in the report that the height limits should actually be RL 195m and RL 170m, however.

Aren't RL heights based on sea level? If so, that means you need to take 60m off the heights to get the building heights: 95m and 110m. There's some mention in the report that the height limits should actually be RL 195m and RL 170m, however.

I think you're right, as the article also mentions that the Beau Monde penthouses will still retain their panoramic views - so the proposed towers can't be taller than Beau Monde.

It would look much better if they were.

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Omg.. I am 15! How did you know? :)

Office towers? OMG! I am sitting on the edge of my computer chair and it feels like it is about to break. These could be slender shards of glass or The Lighthouses of North Sydney, made entirely of glass. Mmmm please be glass! :)

Brendan, I'm beginning to think that your problem is not glass but the fact you haven't been laid. Once that happens, perhaps you will shut up about glass already.

How does EVERYONE know you are 15, Brendan? Must be something(s) you wrote...
My advice is to take Shaggers advice.

well i had a feeling those heigths were RL;s. beacuse Beuamonde is 115m or Rl177m
heres a drawing a did 3 years ago. i must update it.
so its basically 2 towers as high as beuamonde and 141 walker st. both 100m+

http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/NORTHSYDNEYSKYLINE2.jpg

Brendan give yourself 12 months and then come see me ;o) lol I feel like a dirty old man at such a young age

struth!

Brendan give yourself 12 months and then come see me ;o) lol I feel like a dirty old man at such a young age

*cough* maybe it's your inner concience screaming at you? :lol: x

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Were not getting 500 footers now. What a waste :bash:

Great news about the towers being approved, and yes McCafferey is right about the owners taking their views for granted. Even if they didn't know, they know at the end of the day they live in a CBD and buildings could block their views.

These buildings are a waste of prime land. They all should be alot taller than this. How about councils setting minimum height restrictions?

^ I agree - the council is banging on about needing to build these office towers to save North Sydney but what a lame attempt! If they are going to piss off the resi they should do it in style rather than going half arsed to try and please eveyone, unless we are all wrong and they are building up to 170m of tower not RL - now that would be good.

Your right. 170m and 155m metres was more appropriate and any overshadowing would not affect a soul.

North Sydney needs to stop building these stumpy towers if it's ever going to nab business from the southern side of the harbour.

I also hope they expand North Sydney Shoppingworld. It's horrid as is and has nothing decent to offer.

^ I agree - the council is banging on about needing to build these office towers to save North Sydney but what a lame attempt! If they are going to piss off the resi they should do it in style rather than going half arsed to try and please eveyone, unless we are all wrong and they are building up to 170m of tower not RL - now that would be good.
if it was 170m above grd, that would make it RL230m.which is 30m over height limit of 200mRL. which is approx Northpoints height.so i think its definately 170m RL or 110m abover grd. still a substantial office tower.

Make me laugh when ever I hear about people complain about being built out. Get water front and hope they dont reclaim land infront of you would be the best bet. North Sydney getting to the size where it can really start to support many good developments.

Am i getting too content but since whe was a 95m and 110m tower dev in a suburb such a bad result? Honestly i have no clue why there is such negativity around here for Syd.

The thing is North Sydney is not just a suburb though. It's a secondary CDB and as such requires more.

Am i getting too content but since whe was a 95m and 110m tower dev in a suburb such a bad result? Honestly i have no clue why there is such negativity around here for Syd.

The negativity on the NSW threads that pees me off has to do on discussions on issues such as Sydney Tower etc, which I don't think need it at all.

But North Sydney is a major commercial centre, second to Sydney!!!

Am i getting too content but since whe was a 95m and 110m tower dev in a suburb such a bad result? Honestly i have no clue why there is such negativity around here for Syd.

i wouldn't consider north sydney as a suburb, it's really an extension of the sydney cbd and a major commercial centre that already has much taller buildings than is proposed. 110m seems like a total waste for this site. yeah, it would be great in penrith but this is north sydney. what's the reasoning? i bet there is no valid reason like shadowing or anything, it's just to appease the nimbys. and the council is banging on about having to invest in commercial sites to save north sydney yet they only allow this lame attempt. negativity where it's due.

Ok its no suburb BUT the fact remains. Something gets proposed all comments are mostly negative. I mean we get a 200m tower, sure enough why can't it be 300m etc. It's fine to question it every now and then but i swear EVERY thread has the same reaction. It gets very tiring and it's no wonder i don't frequent the forums as much. You'd be hard pressed to feel good about anything in Sydney after these forums. Just look at the metro thread. I mean it's a proposed metro and still negative (yes i know about the track record).

Anyway i think a 110m tower isn't bad at all, yes you could always have taller, but as developers i'm sure they've sussed it out and want to get the max out of the site. North Sydney's record for office is horrid. I say buil it mixed at 170m :)

LOL i say build it mixed at 300 ;) I want something i can see better from here.

I would prefer quality over quantity most of the time. If we get quality developments, I think the loss of height can be swallowed.

just a bump. it was about to be deleted. any news btw?

Cariad posted this link in the general North Sydney thread - http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/files/29955/Part%203A_Cl%206%20request_14.11.08.pdf .

It's been upsized - 40 storey office tower and 30 storey hotel. :):):)

they look good
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3304090393_b1b4f77bfb_o.jpg

Looking good Mr C :)

Let's hope it stays looking like that though, which it wont...

Just had a browwse through that link too, looks great! More laneways, more people in North Sydney CBD, hopefully some ground level features, but all in all a great proposal. That exact spot is right in the middle of the CBD and is currently a horrible mix of parking and delivery docks...this is a great move!

North Sydney Shopping World needs to go. Its such a waste of space with crappy stores not worthy of the area. Anything that gives the place more vibe after hours is badly needed.

I wanna know the height of this sucker.

Look up!

Given its 40 storeys I was expecting more height for the office tower. North Sydney must have very flexible floor to ceiling heights. Heightwise, it should be on par with Northgate.

Looking at the size of the windows in both towers, they look the same height ie residential. What's that all about ?

i chatted to model maker for rice daubney and he said redners are only indicative.just trying to seek envelope approval first then they will submit proper DA. but they can go to max height what ever that is. residents in beuamonde arent happy jan. they will loose million harbour views. as ive said many times, dont by units for views.

i chatted to model maker for rice daubney and he said redners are only indicative.just trying to seek envelope approval first then they will submit proper DA. but they can go to max height what ever that is. residents in beuamonde arent happy jan. they will loose million harbour views. as ive said many times, dont by units for views.

ROFL at Beaumonde owners. I do wonder if they really think they have a legitimate arguement versus just trying to bluff their way into a stoush and try to get some sympathy from Nth Syd Council.
If I owned an apartment in there I'd be dissapointed to lose my view but am smart enough to know that I don't own anything outside of the 4 walls I live in.

I can just imagine Beaumonde owners will chain themselves to bulldozers and that shopping mall just before the demolition in desperate protest to save their beloved views. Hopefully the final DA and design will be above average considering it is in such a prominant location with great vantage point to the city.

If there is going to be any demolition, it will be a partial demolition of North Sydney Shopping World, like they did for Beau Monde back in 2003-04 which affected the Berry St end.

The old North Sydney Fire Station will have to be demolished for the hotel. It's been converted into a bar in recent times.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/2788/dscf3370.jpg

The facade will remain.

Good thing too I use the scooter parking behind and hope to keep using..