Revised designs for Central Barangaroo on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD show the previously proposed high-rise block and offices have been dumped for a “lifestyle precinct” with restaurants,bars,high-street retail stores,a hotel and apartments,in buildings expected to top about 40 metres.
The revised designs for Central Barangaroo include fewer offices and more apartments.Supplied
In a surprise move that risked plunging the site into limbo for years,the former Coalition government to slash the height and size of buildings in response to widespread outcry over plans for the high-rise luxury apartment block.
Then planning minister Anthony Roberts said in October the tower should not proceed as it would block views to and from historic Millers Point and Observatory Hill and “served no public interest”.
Aqualand’s Central Barangaroo chair John Carfi said work on the new masterplan,led by Sydney architecture firm SJB,had significantly reduced the scale of the scheme.
The redesign would ensure the precinct,which is the final section of Barangaroo to be developed,was the “lively,beating heart” of the foreshore spot,he said.
Architect Adam Haddow wants the buildings in Central Barangaroo to be connected to the street,rather than “floating” above the ground,similar to streetscapes in Barcelona.Supplied
“Our focus is on delivering an exceptional lifestyle destination for all Sydneysiders and visitors,with generous and lively public spaces punctuated by restaurants,cafes,and bars,” Carfi said.
The plans represent the latest chapter in the $2 billion-plus Central Barangaroo project,which has been frustrated by a over harbour views,lengthy delays,and over building heights.
A source with knowledge of the redesign,who was not authorised to comment publicly,said most of the seven buildings proposed for the precinct would be about 35 metres or lower,with one building reaching about 40 metres at the south-eastern corner.
In comparison,the rejected 20-storey apartment tower would have been about 73 metres tall.
The 20-storey residential tower,on the right in this artist’s impression,was a lightning rod for community opposition.Department of Planning portal
The new masterplan has been designed to provide flexibility to switch the residential blocks to commercial offices in the future,should the demand for more workers in the area increase.
It also proposes two new plazas connecting Hickson Road to the future Harbour Park on the waterfront,and opening up views to and from Millers Point. A laneway will connect Barangaroo South to the future Metro station,Nawi Cove,and the Cutaway at the northern end of the precinct.
SJB director Adam Haddow said the redesign aimed to better connect Central Barangaroo to Millers Point at its rear and to strike a “happy balance” between the feel of local and international hotspots.
“In my mind,it’s like a love child between Crown Street in Surry Hills and Opera Bar[in Circular Quay].”
Millers Point Community Resident Action Group spokesman Bernard Kelly,who was among local opponents of the previous plan,said the shift to more residential development was “a good thing”.
“I think it would mean the place is occupied seven days a week,not three or four days a week.”
He said that,given the criticism levelled at the previous plans,it was critical any development respected the site’s context between the harbour foreshore,Millers Point and Observatory Hill.
“There’s been a lot of criticism of Barangaroo South,that they stuffed it up. We just don’t want to see it stuffed up at Central[Barangaroo].”
Central Barangaroo is designed to act as a “bridge” between the headland park and the high-rise financial district.Flavio Brancaleone
Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich welcomed the reduction in the project’s scale and said a mix of residential,commercial,office,hospitality,arts and entertainment would give life to the area.
“Here’s a part of Sydney which was slated for offices,and people aren’t working in offices as much,so that kind of provides a mandate for the proponent to deliver greater diversity.”
Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper said he would look forward to hearing the community’s feedback on the revised plans when they were placed on public exhibition later this year.
“We want to get this project moving,but we also want to make sure the updated designs are delivering to the community’s and the city’s needs,” Kamper said.
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