13-storey tower plan for Darlinghurst
A development application (DA) for a 13-storey apartment block in Darlinghurst has been lodged with the City of Sydney Council, raising the hackles of nearby residents.
The plan, currently being assessed by Council, would see the properties between 91 and 107 Riley Street demolished and replaced with a complex consisting of two apartment blocks (one 13-storey and a five storey block), a supermarket, loading dock, restaurant and three levels of underground parking.
Local residents say the development – which would contain 67 apartments – will destroy the strong heritage values of the immediate vicinity, which is known by the locality name East Sydney and is famous as Sydney’s original ‘Little Italy’.
“This development is far, far too tall for its location and completely out of character with the historic terrace houses and cottages surrounding it,” said East Sydney Neighbourhood Association (ESNA) committee member, Jane Anderson.
“This is yet another case of a greedy developer trying to squeeze the maximum amount of space – and dollars – from a small, sensitive site.
“East Sydney is under tremendous pressure from developers and we will do everything in our power to stop this, and other inappropriate developments.”
Ms Anderson urged the City to “firmly reject” the development, which she said would set a “dangerous precedent” for Inner Sydney, if approved.
“If this goes ahead, it will open the door to other such developments in East Sydney, and in historically sensitive neighbourhoods elsewhere in the inner city,” she said.
“The City must quash this DA and send a clear message to developers that there’s no point even proposing such monstrosities in these locations because they won’t be approved.”
Ms Anderson said ESNA had engaged the services of a professional city planner to help fight the DA, and was currently organising an online petition and a letter-writing campaign.
A spokesperson for Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she was unable to comment about a DA that was still under consideration.
