Former Lands and Education Department Buildings

“Sandstone Precinct”, Bridge Street, Sydney

Stage One proposal for Tourism Re-use

Please refer to p28 [attached] of the Statement of Heritage Impact December 2014].

The overall proposal is for the State to retain ownership of the sites and offer a 99 year lease of the buildings for Tourism Re-use as an International Tourism Hotel with associated Serviced Apartments, Retail Premises, function Centre, etc.

  1. Lands Building. Because of the highly complex roofscape, incorporating towers, domes and other features, it is not proposed to establish a building envelope above the building. The building could be used as a international hotel such as the Savoy in London, the roofscape used as roof top bars, Restaurants, urban Garden Spaces, meeting rooms and high end space. [however, the unused air space of the 14:1 Gross Floor Area ratio of the site is valuable and could be transferred to another site such as the Education Department building - JR
  2. Education Department Building. [see blue coloured area on the attached plan] Similar use to the Lands Building is suggested extending upwards by a further three [3] levels. [Please note the height of Governor Phillip and Governor Macquarie Towers to the east on the attached elevation, which, considering also the redevelopments of the Old Treasury Building and the GPO, suggests that any proposal will seek to extend more than the additional three levels to be viable – JR]
  3. Subterranean Public Domain Facilities.[see grey coloured area under the buildings] It is proposed to excavate under the buildings, Loftus Street and Farrer Place for access between the buildings, car parking, and hotel related facilities. [it will interesting to see how the stability of foundations and footings of the buildings will be assured. Also, it is rumoured that the proposed Metro between Barangaroo and Martin Place Station will pass under the site…rumour only – JR]

FURTHER COMMENT

Irrespective of the SHI, Professor Peter Webber remains unconvinced of the heritage protection of the Lands Building. . It is certainly within the scope of good architecture to conserve the Lands Building within any proposal and this is the best we can ask for in the circumstances. Also, considering other similar redevelopment, I consider that the proposal being considered may not be viable and it is likely that a more expansive proposal will be put forward.

The matter has been very quiet over the last 18 months. However, a watching brief will be maintained, even though it is likely that the next we will know will be after a decision is made…