Sirius building development application Sydney November 2020

<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p>Developer JDH Capital has lodged plans for the $100 million overhaul of Sydney’s iconic Sirius building at the foot of the Harbour Bridge, overlooking Circular Quay and the Opera House.</p><p>The brutalist public housing block in The Rocks, which has been used for social housing since opening in 1981, now looks set to be transformed into a boutique apartment project.</p><p>JDH Capital, founded by former investment banker Jean-Dominique Huynh, moved on the public housing tower in June 2019, outlaying $150 million, before sounding out plans for a &quot;refurbishment&quot; that would revitalise the existing building.</p><p>Following a design competition, JDH will move forward with a new concept designed by architecture firm BVN.</p><p>The proposal will deliver 76 apartments, a slight reduction on the building’s current 79-apartment configuration, lifting the its gross floor area by 1,800sq m to 8,400 square metres.</p><p>The redevelopment includes structural works, apartment fit-outs and environmental upgrades of the existing building, as well as construction of a new three-level building with a gym and pool for residents at ground level on Cumberland Street.</p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/d7532b21-4324-42ad-8cbe-9285d6b608f7.jpg" width="960"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ The proposal also includes the addition of “distributed pods” in copper-coloured metal and glass, referencing the bronze and black colour of the existing metal framing. Image: BVN</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>Internal walls will be demolished to combine units and make for larger apartments, as well as spacial reconfiguration for new stairwells and lifts.</p><p>Volumetric modular apartment &quot;pods&quot; and prefabricated balconies planned for parts of the building will be delivered to site and lifted  into position.</p><p>The existing ramp down to the basement will be demolished and replaced with vehicle lifts.</p><p>The redevelopment will also improve the ground plane of the building tucked under the elevated Cahill Expressway approach to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, creating a new pedestrian connection across the site between Cumberland Street and Gloucester Walk.</p><p>Rooftop gardens will provide new amenity to residents while also enhancing the views a number of Sydney’s landmarks.</p><p>To date, JDH Capital’s project team has included Architectus, Urbis, Altus Group and Richard Crookes Construction.</p><p>The project has not been without its controversy following the government’s ousting of hundreds of low-income tenants from their homes, the last of whom moved out in early-2018.</p><p>Critics were quick to question the NSW government’s sell-off, stating that the actions were a contradiction of the building’s physical expression of a certain type of progressive planning. </p><p>Plans to sell the building were openly opposed by Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore.</p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/b473a108-d1a8-476d-9c04-b28175f9b5c7.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ The site has a frontage of approximately 115m to Cumberland Street and approximately 120m to Gloucester Walk. Image: BVN</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>Despite the advice of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, the state government decided against heritage listing the building in 2017.</p><p>That sparked a challenge in the Land and Environment Court, which was ultimately unsuccessful.</p><p>The proposal however has aimed to preserve the building, by enhancing and revitalising the 1970s building—designed by NSW Housing Commission architect Tao Gofers.</p><p>NSW department of planning executive director Anthea Sargeant said community input remained central to the project’s assessment process.</p><p>“The department’s role is to assess the application in consultation with the local community, government agencies and stakeholders and we are encouraging the community to share their views on this proposal.</p><p>“After the exhibition closes, the department will review all community submissions received, along with feedback from other government agencies and councils as part of its rigorous assessment process,” Sargeant said.</p><p>Pricing has not been set for the project that could go to market in the second quarter of next year.</p></div></div></div></div></div>

Controversial plans to transform Sydney’s social housing building Sirius into luxury apartments has been lodged with council…

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<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p>Australia’s concrete buildings are often overlooked, with many post-war examples decried as ugly while governments remain <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-prepares-to-fight-against-destruction-of-glebe-history">hesitant</a> to credit their cultural and heritage significance.     </p><p>And while Sydney’s <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/tags/Sirius">Sirius</a> may not have made the top 10, Australia’s impressive history of concrete architecture has been celebrated in a recent list of the country’s most outstanding concrete public buildings.</p><p>Published by the peak body for Australia’s heavy construction materials industry, the CCAA, the top 10 includes some surprises and newer builds. </p><p>Former NSW government architect Peter Poulet chaired the judging panel, alongside Victorian and Queensland state government architects Jill Garner and Malcolm Middleton, architectural writer Joe Rollo, University of Queensland architecture school head Cameron Bruhn, Architecture Media editorial director Kaitlin Butler, architect Robert Nation, Arup engineer Peter Bowtell and CCAA chief executive Ken Slattery.  </p><p>The jury whittled down a shortlist of 45 to name the top 10 against three criteria: architectural merit, innovation in the use of concrete and whether the project redefined and expanded concrete’s potential at the time in which it was built. </p><p>“The buildings and structures remind us of the resilient, enduring beauty of concrete—and it is this durability that makes it a key enabling material to put society on a sustainable transition path,” Poulet said. </p><p>Related: <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/9-iconic-examples-of-modernist-architecture">9 Iconic Examples of Modernist Architecture</a></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>University of Melbourne car park, Melbourne </strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/36615f20-c249-4d8f-96de-a62587941ed0.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^The Melbourne University car park was designed by architectural firm Loder and Bayly in association with Harris, Lange and Partners.</sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>High Court of Australia</strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/9daa5381-d3b9-436a-a8c9-f4c61961db4a.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sub><sup>^The design of the High Court of Australia was led by architect Christopher Kringas and completed in 1980.</sup></sub></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>Australia Square</strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/92b77969-1018-4a26-bd07-b344bfba39f0.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^The Harry Seidler-designed Australia Square was completed in 1967.</sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>Punchbowl Mosque </strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/52001d88-4d46-4256-b2da-9fd68f693e2e.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^Designed by Angelo Candalepas, the Punchbowl Mosque opened in 2018, winning a national architecture award.</sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>Academy of the Sciences, Canberra</strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/7ae670cb-7963-4187-a401-fbee84d60174.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^Dubbed the &quot;Martian Embassy&quot;, the domed Academy of the Sciences building was designed by Roy Grounds and completed in 1959.</sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>James Cook University Library, Townsville </strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/3097f851-89c2-4d07-ac70-9d7d4227ee2e.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sub><sup>^The brutalist architectural icon, designed by prominent Queensland architect James Birrell, was originally completed in 1968.</sup></sub></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane</strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/0613500f-564e-400b-a7a9-8c8d97056c11.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^Designed by Robin Gibson, the Queensland Art Gallery opened in Brisbane&#x27;s South Bank precinct in 1982.</sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>Victorian State Offices, Melbourne</strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/ba8a12a5-dfe7-4a5e-aa67-26f4e9aa42fb.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^The Victorian State Offices in Melbourne demonstrated innovation in the use precast concrete cladding and column-free spaces. </sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>Gladesville Bridge, Sydney </strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/f4c7dacd-a32a-42cb-bb6d-7eb34f37e9aa.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^The Gladesville Bridge, when opened in 1964, was the longest reinforced concrete arch span in the world. </sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><hr/></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><strong>Sydney Opera House</strong></h2></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/7eb12753-bb66-4a0c-a5f5-8e768b8845a5.sydneyoperahouse" width="800"/></picture><div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><sup><sub>^Designed by Jørn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House was formally opened in 1973.</sub></sup></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2></h2></div></div></div></div></div>

The significance of Australia’s concrete buildings is often overlooked, with many post-war examples decried as ugly and severe.

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<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><strong>The developer of the disaster-ridden Opal Tower has withdrawn from the tender process for the sale of Sydney&#x27;s Sirius.</strong></p><p>Mounting pressure on NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to stop the sale of the tower to Ecove and development partner Aoyuan likely caused the retreat. </p><p>It is understood that Aoyuan will remain involved in the tender.</p><p>A Property NSW spokesperson confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon.</p><p>“The government is evaluating proposals for the Sirius site and has shortlisted a number of proponents.</p><p>“Ecove was previously a minority member of one of the shortlisted consortia, but has withdrawn from the process.”</p><p>Speculation that Ecove were the preferred buyers of the iconic harbourside building prompted the Save Our Sirius lobby group to pen an open letter to the premier.</p><p>Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich and member for Balmain Jamie Packer joined Lord Mayor Clover Moore as signatories.</p><p>Ecove’s bid with China&#x27;s Aoyuan Group had been shortlisted alongside Danny Avidan’s RDA Property Group and JD Capital, a private Vietnamese developer. </p><p>The letter warned that the sale of the Brutalist icon to Ecove would be a “grave mistake and would provoke distrust in government processes and objectives”.</p><p>Related: <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/9-iconic-examples-of-modernist-architecture">9 Iconic Examples of Modernist Architecture</a></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/161677a5-3980-4077-9f48-cc97a3c38683.jpg" width="940"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">The Brutalist icon, completed in 1980, houses 79-units across 11-storeys. </span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><br><strong>‘All developers should withdraw’</strong></h2><p>Save our Sirius chair Shaun Carter welcome Ecove&#x27;s decision to withdraw from the bid.</p><p>“We believe all developers should withdraw from the sale of Sirius.</p><p>“We think [Ecove&#x27;s withdrawal] strengthens our call to the Premier to not sell Sirius. Instead she should use Sirius to achieve her No.1 goal as Premier, which is to solve affordable housing.” </p><p>After <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brutalist-masterpiece-sirius-saved-demolition">years of court battles</a> and uncertainty about Sirius’ future, the building was finally placed on the market in mid-2018, and is tipped to sell<a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydneys-sirius-building-hits-the-market-for-120-million-plus"> for as much as $150 million</a>. </p><p>The <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydneys-iconic-sirius-building-hits-the-market">NSW government listed the building</a> for tender after refusing to place it on the state’s heritage list, ignoring the advice of architects and preservation bodies.</p><p>The government’s refusal to heritage list Sirius came despite it being placed on a 2018 “watch list” by the World Monument’s Fund. </p><p>The sale of Sirius is opposed by NSW’s Labor opposition.</p><h2><strong>‘Built to last 200 years’</strong></h2><p>The <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/opal-tower-what-we-know-so-far">Opal Tower saga </a>has caused widespread reports of building defects across the country, with research from UNSW uncovering that up to 85 per cent of buildings built after 2000 had ongoing defects. </p><p>“It can be argued that Sirius was built at a time when buildings were better regulated and had government oversight so that they were built well,” Save Our Sirius&#x27; letter said.</p><p>It is not certain if RDA Property Group or JD Capital plan to demolish the tower, however the <em>Sydney Morning Herald</em> reported that RDA’s tender involves keeping but upgrading elements of the Brutalist structure. </p></div></div></div></div></div>

The developer of the disaster-ridden Opal Tower has withdrawn from the tender process for the sale of Sydney's Sirius.

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<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><strong>The Sirius building, one of Sydney’s most well-known Brutalist landmarks, has officially launched to market with price expectations by the New South Wales government of more than $120 million.</strong></p><p>The building, located in The Rocks district on Sydney’s harbour side, represents prime real estate to the state government in a lucrative real estate deal brokered by Savills Australia.</p><p>The stepped Sirius building, completed in 1980, reaches 11-storeys comprising 79 units and 70 basement car spaces. </p><p>Development of the site will depend on the government’s proposed amendments to the zoning of the block by expanding the gross floor area of the site to 8420sq m from its current 7,010 square metres. </p><p>Savills NSW managing director Simon Fenn says Sirius is positioned on Australia’s most valuable freehold land.</p><p>“And will certainly attract interest from around the globe, with a once in a lifetime opportunity to revitalise this prime site.”</p><p>Related reading: <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/9-iconic-examples-of-modernist-architecture">9 Iconic Examples of Modernist Architecture</a></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/c8348771-2250-4b61-a928-647ae99e106a.jpg" width="600"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">Sirius04</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><h2><br>Save Our Sirius </h2><p>The official expression of interest campaign comes after much protest since the initial announcement to sell the former public housing building in 2014. </p><p>Chair of community campaign group Save Our Sirius Shaun Carter has been calling on the NSW government to stop the sale, and list Sirius on the State Heritage Register.</p><p>“We strongly advise anyone interested in buying Sirius to work with us and the building’s original architect Tao Gofers, to preserve Sirius for state heritage listing.”</p><p>More than 300 prospective buyers have registered their interest in the Sirius site since January.</p><p>“Never before has a building with such unobstructed and striking harbour views within the heart of Sydney been offered to the market,” Fenn said. </p><p>Related reading: Sydney&#x27;s Iconic Sirius Building Hits the Market</p><p>Continuing their fight to preserve the building, Carter said Sirius had been recommended for State Listing by the Government’s own Heritage Council, while also being recognised as a site of significance by The Australian Institute of Architects and The City of Sydney.</p><p>“The real estate agents skirt the truth when they say Sirius is not State Heritage listed. It is,” Carter said.</p><p>Located at 2-60 Cumberland Street, the revised valuation of the Sirius building is less than earlier estimates from $150 million and $180 million due to the state government’s early proposals of up to 250 apartments on the site.</p><p>The Sirius building is now vacant after 90-year-old Myra Demetriou, the last-remaining resident moved out earlier this year. </p></div></div></div></div></div>

The Sirius building, one of Sydney’s most well-known Brutalist landmarks, has officially launched to market with price expectations by the New South W

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