[Berberoz]

https://www.theshout.com.au/australian-hotelier/merivale-eyeing-long-term-plans-for-ivy/

A somewhat more nuanced report on the redevelopment of the Ivy nightclub, suggesting an entertainment/ hospitality element is being considered in any future Hotel project.

 

[Nick]

I'm all for the construction of a new tower, but I am not ok with the over-regulation and policing of our nightlife by the Liberal Government. WHAT A JOKE! . Because we have a liquor freeze in the lockout zone, the loss of Ivy is of great sadness to what was once a vibrant city. The Liberal party has destroyed this city. I used to vote for them, but have reverted to minor parties since the lockouts and other restrictions were imposed on our nightlife. I sincerely hope another large venue is incorporated into the development, and when the new building is finished, we don't have these ridiculous nanny state laws restricting our nightlife.

 

[Westonian]

The licence freeze has been in place since the Labor years.

 

[jammi]

Keep in mind that George st is blocked to traffic, how are all the taxis from the airport supposed to delivery the hotel guests, from the back alley???

The existing building has vehicular access off Pitt St via the Angel Place carpark.

I love my skyscrapers, architecture and all things shiny and new. But this is just another example of overdevelopment in the city.
I love a beautiful livable city even more.

Not quite sure how you can consider this to be "overdevelopment"? It's a 2,500sqm site in one of the best connected parts of the CBD and is wasted as a pub.

 

[drop_dead_jma]

I don't frequent bars nor do I prefer to drink.
But reading the article below really puts everything in perspective:

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/05/sydneys-fun-police-have-put-out-the-light-of-the-nightlife-the-citys-a-global-laughing-stock

I am happy with Ivy being torn down; it was a real eyesore.

 

[moz999]

While the lockout laws have some part to play, I think it's more changing preferences.

From 2000-2010 the total size of premises in the Cross probably doubled (with two bank conversions into pubs/bars and an office floor). This reversed a bit over the last few years.

Eg. All the new small bars and restaurants in Barrangaroo and Surry Hills.
There is even a current DA for a new speakeasy bar in Roslyn Street near the heart of the cross, a conversion from retail shops (which would make by my count the 3rd speakeasy styled bar in the area in the last few years)

And Hemmes's two places in the Cross focussed on food and have thrived - Ms Gs and The Fish Shop.

As noted in the article Hemmes already has the boutique Establishment Hotel accommodation wing in the empire, so there is no reason you couldn't do something similar on the Ivy site

 

[Brizer]

Times change, and changes occur in lifestyle, as has already been noted.
Each generation cries out 'Where has MY Sydney gone?!' Gone the way of the world and Sydney, London, NY, Paris, etc., move on as they always have.
It's when movement ceases you've got to worry.

Apparently a new 'scene' is emerging so committed partygoers and clubbers should put on their party clobber and get out there and party while you can.

 

[Stanwell]

For me music, television, sport, fashion, movies were all better once upon a time. It's called getting older.

 

[Brizer]

I agree with the 'getting older' bit, the rest, not so much as I think every era has its good bits and exploring them is part of the fun of history.

 

[Stanwell]

I agree with the 'getting older' bit, the rest, not so much as I think every era has its good bits and exploring them is part of the fun of history.

What you grow up with is genuinely what sticks in your memory though, and nostalgia tends to take over as you grow older.

 

[Brizer]

In most cases this is true. Classic evidence is in how nimby campaigns are dominated by older people who oppose change in a sad effort to hold back time, though they don't see it that way and claim they are protecting 'our' heritage, which is usually a self deceit.

My belief is always: If you can't be part of the future, get out of the bloody way.

 

[Dyllip]

While the lockout laws have some part to play, I think it's more changing preferences.

No. You can't say it's the changing preferences of the market when it is not a free market. Up until 2 years ago you could not open a venue in the entire inner city with a capacity over 60 patrons, this has increased to 100 but is a VERY far cry off of the Ivy capacity at a few thousand.

The same stupid logic is applied to housing supply which is a bubble due to government intervention in the free market. When people say there is a "trend for high rise living" - again wrong - people are forced into high rise living because the cost of a detached house is extremely prohibitive due to government policy.

The dumbest thing is, night life and patronage has been destroyed and they have barely eased up on the regulation. It needs to be way more flexible. For starters, the lockout needs to fully go. Keep the restrictions on shots, premixed and doubles after 12. This should have been the gradual approach from the start.

 

[Ipggi]

Sydney doesn't do itself any favours when it comes to nightlife. Remember back in late 2007, Ivy delayed opening because the police objected to it having a liquor licence! The objection happened after the construction of the $150 million complex was near complete mind you, not back when it was a DA or in planning. As they couldn't apply for the licence until they had the venue.

 

[CULWULLA]

Oh noooo this thread now about clubbing
Give me a yell when we tall about new tower

 

[mandonov]

Times change, and changes occur in lifestyle, as has already been noted.
Each generation cries out 'Where has MY Sydney gone?!' Gone the way of the world and Sydney, London, NY, Paris, etc., move on as they always have.
It's when movement ceases you've got to worry.

Apparently a new 'scene' is emerging so committed partygoers and clubbers should put on their party clobber and get out there and party while you can.

I would agree with you if that movement was happening organically, and driven by the changing culture. However in today's case it's due to regulation and restriction by the government forcing this new 'scene' to develop because the other scene is no longer allowed to grow if it wanted to.

It's cultural change by legislation, which seldom works.

 

[drop_dead_jma]

I would agree with you if that movement was happening organically, and driven by the changing culture. However in today's case it's due to regulation and restriction by the government forcing this new 'scene' to develop because the other scene is no longer allowed to grow if it wanted to.

It's cultural change by legislation, which seldom works.

That's exactly correct!
Cultural change happens organically; not by oppressive, ridiculous laws...

 

[Mornnb]

What you grow up with is genuinely what sticks in your memory though, and nostalgia tends to take over as you grow older.

I think that very much depends on the person in question, because you will find that embrace of nostalgia differs greatly based on personality.

 

[Sky_Is_The_Limit]

Looks like Justin Hemmes has purchased the adjacent building at 312-318 George Street (which had a separate DA in for a hotel development), and will proceed with a mixed use development that will also expand the Ivy.

An expansion of the Ivy, alongside a new mixed-use development, would be a good outcome for the site and the city IMO.

Reading back through some of the comments in this thread, I am surprised people are so dismissive of the Ivy. Nightclubs and late night activity have taken such a hit in this city that redevelopment of the site should be virtually conditional on Hemmes (at a minimum) maintaining the capacity of Ivy as it stands today.

Hemmes buys large CBD site
DECEMBER 11, 2018

Pub mogul Justin Hemmes has taken the biggest bet of his career, buying a large Sydney CBD site adjoining his Ivy party palace for a multi-storey development valued at more than $1.5 billion.

For the first time, the heir to the Merivale dynasty is seeking outside investors to back the billion dollar-plus project which will top out at 55 levels and include Mr Hemmes’s inaugural foray into the world of commercial office development.

The iconic redevelopment of the George Street site, certain to rival nearby Barangaroo’s glitzy entertainment and office precincts, will also likely include hospitality outlets, an expanded Ivy nightclub and possibly even residential apartments and hotel accommodation.

-----

While the residential property market is staggering towards the bottom of the cycle, Mr Hemmes’s investment play is understood to be aiming to capitalise on the surging value of commercial office towers that are trading at record levels as city rents have soared, even outpacing the strong performance of the hotel sector. Mr Hemmes declined to comment when contacted by The Australian last night.

-----

A bullish Mr Hemmes is understood to have aggressively forked out more than $80 million for a 582 sqm Westpac site in George Street — about $10m above price expectations — which adjoins the Ivy.

All up, the amalgamated site directly opposite Wynyard Station encompasses a generous 3500 sqm of space for Mr Hemmes.

The publican-cum-developer, according to sources, is also apparently considering residential apartments and accommodation for the site, with any luxury products designed to capitalise on its prime location and resilience of luxury units at the very top end of the market.

“It will be mixed use with commercial office space and perhaps accommodation and lots of hospitality,” said one senior source last night, adding that Mr Hemmes would definitely be looking for financial backers for the plans which would likely see him also expand the Ivy.

-----

Once completed, a new mixed-use development would eventually provide a longer term income stream for Mr Hemmes as well as diversifying his holdings beyond the hospitality sector.

-----

The move also comes as Sydney’s George Street grapples with delays on the light rail and tough lock-out laws but the prospect of the entrepreneur committing to such a major project could lift the entire precinct.

-----

Mr Hemmes’s new property fronts 312-318 George Street and tenders, handled by selling agents McVay Real Estate, closed in August.

FULL ARTICLE PAYWALLED: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/hemmes-bets-big-on-15bn-office-project/news-story/adc6b2f1b3f46a561fc3feb6a514f879

 

[CULWULLA]

great news ok let you know when a stage1 comes in

 

[Gimble]

Looks like the St George Bank branch on the ground and first floors will need to find a new home. 182 George is gone and now 316 George is going.