Bondi

[shaggers_jr]

Originally Posted by Cariad

Exactly, we have the GC, we don't need that in Bondi as well. Bondi has been a summer playground since the 1800's, mostly with it's boom during the Federation era and I think to a certain extent it reflects that.
I know we are all skysrcaper lovers, but sometimes there is not always a need for high rise.
I actually like Campbell Parade the way it is, it is still in need of some TLC and it is getting that. I think some bright 1930's/Miami colours would look great along that stretch.
Besides if they did build highrises along that beach front, what would happen to the buildings behind in their little Federation homes and smaller 60's block's? They would be overshadowed, creating dark streets and a be much colder.
Many of you who "Hate" Campbell Parade run the risk of sounding like 1960-70's planner's and look what they did, rip down many beautiful Victorain buildings to build ugly concrete blocks ..... In this case we DO NOT want history repeating itself!

Well it's impossible to argue that the Swiss Grand is a building worth preserving, but I agree in principle - Bondi should be low-rise. And I think it should be a sort of democratic, family friendly place. All this "Bondi on the Riveria" shit makes me sick. The whole point of Australia is that if your'e a bogan you should be able to go to the beach with your kids as the minimum in free entertainment.

[LanceDriver]

i agree, these new buildings need to be of exceptional design that fits in as much as possible with the exisiting architecture or at least reflects the nature of the area. there are some poor buildings being replaced, like the motel, but we don't want out of place shit instead.

[Fabian]

I like Bondi as it is, but the notion that any developments such as the redevelopment of Swiss Grand Hotel will transform the area into another 'Gold Coast' is an exaggeration.

When it's 20-30 storeys, only then they can run for the hills and jump in the lake.

[CULWULLA]

storey in todays finrev about planned tower for swiss grand
Hotel plan too Grand for Bondi
06:05AM | By Robert Harley
As the iconic beachfront strip of Bondi faces a wave of major development, one project, the redevelopment of the Swiss Grand Hotel, is facing increasing opposition.
The $400mil dev will rise 26m but has a 15m height limit.fsr =5;1 instead of 3;1
doesnt look good

[LanceDriver]

Oh, that reminds me about this article I read the other day. For those who have done this walk they would know how tight the section through the graveyard is ...

Removing a grave error
March 28, 2008 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006009,00.html


Respect ... an artist's impression of the new boardwalk passing alongside Waverley Cemetery.

THE turf war at Waverley Cemetery is all but over - this is the first look at a new cliff boardwalk between Clovelly and Bronte.

The coastal boardwalk will detour joggers, dog-walkers and fitness fanatics around the historic tomb stones and over the rocks of the heads, allowing mourners to grieve in peace.

The $2 million, 508-metre long path is the missing link in the coastal walk that carries almost a million people from across Sydney every year.

"It was not always appropriate to have joggers running through funerals and a lot of people became upset when the boot camp people came in and held onto grave stones to do their stretches," Friends of Waverley Cemetery president Gail Suttor said.

The timber boardwalk will have stainless steel hand railings and at least five viewing points to stop for sightseeing. Construction is expected to begin in July and be completed before the beginning of next summer.

[shaggers_jr]

Originally Posted by LanceDriver

"It was not always appropriate to have joggers running through funerals and a lot of people became upset when the boot camp people came in and held onto grave stones to do their stretches," Friends of Waverley Cemetery president Gail Suttor said.

Are you fucking kidding me? Who would do this? I always hated the boot camp dickheads and this just confirms why.

[LanceDriver]

Development of wedding cake hotel no slice of Europe
Jano Gibson
Urban Affairs Reporter
June 13, 2008
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...863836645.html

A $100 MILLION plan to beautify Bondi Beach's Swiss Grand Hotel has been recommended for rejection by Waverley Council staff.

The owners of the hotel, Allan Linz and Eduard Litver, who are also behind the controversial redevelopment of the historic Currawong workers' retreat, want to transform the wedding cake-style hotel into a mixed-use facility. It would contain 82 hotel suites, 98 residential apartments, a two-level supermarket, a gym and spa.

But a report by the council's development and building unit said the addition of three storeys would create a building "that will dominate the Bondi streetscape far more than the existing building and will be contextually incongruous [with the area]".

The report said the developers had justified exceeding the council's height controls by saying "beachfront and waterfront locations benefit from a strong street wall which defines an urban edge in places such as Nice, Cannes and San Sebastian".

But the unit rejected the argument saying: "The applicant's comparison of Bondi Beach to the famous waterfront locations in Europe has limited relevance".

Mr Linz agreed his and Mr Litver's company, Epic Hotels Pty Ltd, would probably have to consider reducing the proposal's height.

The Mayor of Waverley, Ingrid Strewe, said it was vital the redevelopment be appropriate, especially as the landmark building might be strata-titled in the future, which would limit the possibility of changes.

The council's development control committee are to meet on June 24 to decide on the recommendation to reject the project.

_____________________________________________________________

So the plan is to replace this -







with this -

[Avatar]

THe swiss grand does need some work, it has to one of the most unfriendly beach-front hotels i have seen. The shops in the lower level are disgustingly cheap and rundown. The swiss grand itself is a rabbit warren of narrow corridors and maze-like passages in places. I don't much like what is proposed but something to make it better would definitely be a step forward. Externally the current structure looks ok and suits the location IMO, the new looks rather too flashy and try-hardish.

[Cariad]

I agree with Avatar. I think it fits (or maybe we are used to it) but either way I think they can build on what is there and actually create an understated elegant building and perhaps work with that era it was built, maybe a deco twist?

[LanceDriver]

yeah, the new building is way out of place

[Fabian]

I prefer the new development over whats there already. Bondi needs to move forward if it's going to keep pulling the tourists.

And compared to the scale of development at other beaches worldwide, locals are lucky that it isn't taller at all. Don't they realise that 70 storey buildings are going up just across the road from beaches on the Gold Coast???

[Cariad]

Yes but that is the Gold Coast, we don't want another Benidorm or a GC. Just for a building to be great doesn't mean it has to be a towering 70 story building. A lot of areas are losing their charm due to over development. High rise just isn't Bondi Beach, at the Junction fine. Bondi is a great and popular beach and it does not need spoiling with 150m + building creating shadows on the beach. We are there for sun and relaxation, not shopping sprees and business nor do we want to create a massive hotel where tourists just take over and it becoming ruined.

[LanceDriver]

^ i agree. the current building fits in very well with bondi (but could do with enhancements like has been suggested), the new building is too modern looking.

[AltiusAltiusAltius]

It's about quality rather than height limit..Bondi Beach should go more upmarket, there are too many "backpacker friendly" dwellings there

[Fabian]

Originally Posted by Cariad

Yes but that is the Gold Coast, we don't want another Benidorm or a GC. Just for a building to be great doesn't mean it has to be a towering 70 story building. A lot of areas are losing their charm due to over development. High rise just isn't Bondi Beach, at the Junction fine. Bondi is a great and popular beach and it does not need spoiling with 150m + building creating shadows on the beach. We are there for sun and relaxation, not shopping sprees and business nor do we want to create a massive hotel where tourists just take over and it becoming ruined.

Sydney has better beaches than the Gold Coast and Bondi is the world's most famous beach. The fact it has no highrise and the laid back setting make it appealing to all who visit. But then I question the fuss over such developments by locals. Wont this benefit them too???

Also Bondi Beach was working class for many years and it's only been in the past 20-30 years that it has pulled in the middle and upper classes. I'd love to see some of that working class character remain.

[zulu69]

I really think they were right in rejecting it. The new design is horrid. The council should work with developers however in an effort to improve what there at the street level. I haven't been to Bondi since the summer, but last i checked it had improved significantly. Still i would love it to be littered with cafe's and life (more than it is now). That carpark has to go aswell.

[g.m.n.y.]

just a quick question. what was there before the swiss grand was built?

[hornetfig]

couple of blocks of flats and a service station. The site also once housed a movie theatre but I can't recall if it was still there until the Swiss Grand (not its original name) was built.

[aussieboy]

has anyone seen this?

[hornetfig]

that's the North Bondi Surf Club redevelopment proposal. It's a big brown building at the moment. Malcolm got them $1.5m or something (that render would cost more than that to build though!), but now it's gone and they're whinging.