Controlling Darlo Road

By John Moyle

When developer Iris Capital flagged its plans to develop a block on Darlinghurst Road between the El Alamein Fountain and the Empire Hotel late last year, the Kings Cross/Potts Point community rose in outrage at the proposed project’s brutal approach to urban development and lack of understanding of the area’s heritage values.

As a result, the developers withdrew their application, begging the question ‘how did they get it so wrong?’

Though the area has sub-division restrictions, and Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay have their own heritage and conservation guidelines, Kings Cross is lacking an overall ‘masterplan’ to give guidelines for design and density.

 “Back in February I seconded a motion (from Christine Forster) that called on Council to develop a Kings Cross masterplan, however that was defeated by the Clover Moore independent councillors, who decided to support a narrow investigation on the former Bourbon and Beefsteak site and its immediate surrounds on Darlinghurst Road,” City of Sydney Councillor, Professor Kerryn Phelps said.

“It’s extremely misleading to label this investigation the ‘Kings Cross Urban Design Study.” 

The existing heritage guidelines state the area is held in high esteem by the locals, and, as the area is already densely populated, revise Floor to Space ratio to restrict further development.

Referring specifically to Darlinghurst Road, the heritage conservation area recommended management states ‘The commercial strip along Darlinghurst Road, together with Fitzroy Gardens and El Alamein Fountain, provide a continuing civic and visual focus for the area’. 

As one of Sydney’s densest apartment areas, Kings Cross and Potts Point has long been under pressure from developers.

In the 1970s much of Victoria Street fell to the grubby hands of Frank Theeman who wiped out many terraces to build Victoria Point and Hordern Place. 

Activist Juanita Nielson was killed as a result of her opposition to the development.

Previous to Iris Capital’s development plans, Charlie Saleh, the owner of the Sapphire Suite, proposed to develop the entire block between Roslyn Street and Bayswater Road, which would have wiped out the streetscape and many buildings dating back to the 19^th century.

Mr Saleh forgot the City of Sydney owns the magnificent Woolworths’ building, housing the much-loved Kings Cross Library, which was right in the middle of his development plan. 

Shortly after the rally in February to Save Darlinghurst Road, the proposed sale of the Metro Theatre in Orwell Street also became a focus for the community.

Many were concerned about just what development proposals the theatre’s new owners would be requesting.

There were calls for the City of Sydney to purchase the building for community use or to reinstate it as a commercial lyric theatre space, but Council decided against this action.

After blocking any proposal for a masterplan for the area for so long, it came as a surprise to the community when in June Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced an engagement with the local community to discuss a framework to guide the character and development of Darlinghurst Road.

On July 5, 100 previously registered locals packed the Rex Centre to engage with the Lord Mayor, counsellors Thalis and Scully and representatives from the City of Sydney Planning Department. 

“The evening opened with residents given the opportunity to highlight ways the area has changed for the better or worse,” Louise Iselin, resident said.

“Activities designed to help us (define) what we liked and what we didn’t, aligned the group with a commonality, our love of our neighbourhood and concern over careless development.”

The Lord Mayor presided over the proceedings and moved easily amongst the respondents as they engaged in exercises designed to encourage elasticity of thinking on design processes.

“The Kings Cross community was engaged and gave vital feedback on what makes the area special and what they want us to protect,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

The feedback will inform the Kings Cross Urban Design Study for Darlinghurst Road and the subsequent review of the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012, which is the planning framework in the local area.”

“Let’s be clear, what the Lord Mayor is proposing is not a masterplan, it’s an urban design study which focuses only on parts of the planning framework that guides the development of Darlinghurst Road,” Councillor Christine Forster said.

The presence of an Iris Capital representative caused concern amongst many workshop attendees. 

“Developers need to know what the community is thinking and what the community needs,” Cr Prof Phelps said.

“I really worry about how they will keep developers at bay,” Louise Iselin said.

In the days following, many in the community were unconvinced that the workshop would sway the City of Sydney one way or another.

Local heritage expert Andrew Woodhouse likened to ‘wolves circling’ and resident Robyn Hall said “We attended, but left feeling not reassured, they want to do a job on this place.”

While the community is waiting for the results of the workshop and other considerations, the City of Sydney is conducting an additional online survey which will also inform the design study.

The survey is open until Sunday 22nd of July at sydneyyoursay.com.au.