Comments made here were sent to City of Sydney. Add your own comment.
Why are there no windows on that massive west-facing wall?
It appears to be a large brick box. Given the beauty of the building opposite and the hope of turning this into a future space where it is hoped people will congregate and want to spend time, wouldn't it be better to find a more interesting and attractive design for the space? Particularly given how poorly other similar brick boxes around Sydney have aged.
I totally agree with the comments posted here. The hub around Taylor Square is in dire need of being revitalised and activated as a streetscape people wish to visit, something well overdue. There is no design or architectural excellence in what presents as a brick box, especially given it faces the grand old courthouse building. Where is the acknowledgement of the space in which it sits? The reflective heat from massive walls with little or no windows will be a huge problem to surrounding buildings and residents. Surely we can do better than this. I urge council to reject this design and tell the developer to go back to the drawing board and start again.
I agree with Stephan Gyory and Lucinda Harvey, but the 'brick box' is only part of the problem. This is a mundane proposal for an important site, it is also a missed opportunity.
Recently there have been schemes for the regeneration of Oxford Street and for a public space in front of the Court House. The building at 191-195 Oxford Street once had a small tower on the corner of the parapet, this was hacked off and replaced by a billboard, the same act of vandalism happened to the building diametrically opposite. This development provides an opportunity to restore some integrity to the Taylor Square facade, produce an imaginative architectural solution and remove the offensive billboard that sits on the roof like a stranded ships container, devoid of any redeeming features.
I totally agree with the other comments on this area. Do we not have some up and coming architects that could compete for this area? This is such a massive part of Sydney’s history and of Sydney’s future. I believe it needs to be creative in design not just creative in its use. Come on Sydney,rise to the challenge of building towards the future and stop being so darn boring!
I agree with comments.
A simply horrid lacking in imagination cheap and ugly brick box sitting out like a sore thumb, an insult to the community. Such an iconic site deserves world class design excellence, any addition should enhance the area and set a benchmark for future development proposals. This proposal detracts as it ignores any synergy with surrounding area buildings. For example is ignores the magnificent Courthouse on Oxford St and makes no contribution to Taylor Square area.
Please reject this proposal.
I agree with all the previous comments. I have been going to the meetings of revitalising Oxford Street, and building a Brick Box with a few windows many floors higher than any other buildings going up further along Oxford street towards Paddington, Sticks out like a sore thumb. Not to mention one of the worst designs I have seen in a long time. Across the street, Ashe Morgan/ Togo have had approval to go up, but they have set the extras floors back (not directly on the street) which have made it less imposing and the design is nice and allows sky views and airflow. Also the old Pacific Blueroom up on Flinders and Oxford has taken the old building and are renovating it with a beautiful design that will enhance the area. Darlinghurst is still a local suburb and should be treated that way. The design imposed will restrict the flow of airspace as soon as you hit Taylor Square. Its also to modern in contrast with all the other beautiful heritage buildings around. It also highlights the already unnecessary billboard that is there currently. Even looking at the photo montage made me feel claustrophobic. Throw this design out and find something that fits into what the look is of the area.
