Retail Giant Wants QVB’s Stained Glass Removed For Better Product Visibility

Retailers in the Queen Victoria Building have been told in no uncertain terms to “sod off” after filing a proposal to replace the building’s colourful stained glass windows.

Retail landlord and co-owner of the building, Vicinity Centres, lodged a development application with the City of Sydney in December to replace the iconic stained glass along the Market Street ground floor with clear glass, labelling the current windows as a “significant economic burden” to landlords. The proposal argues the coloured glass is unattractive to prospective retailers, obscuring views from the street to the product in the shop, and says millions of dollars have been lost in revenue.

Members of the public wrote to the council and urged them to reject changes to the building’s “unique appeal”.

“It is time for this country to stand up and say ‘No’ to these companies, and remind them that if they want the share of our market that they have to contribute to us, not the other way around … truly sod off,” respondent Joshua Brogan wrote.

Concerns for heritage of the building

The change, estimated to cost over $120,000, requires approval under special legislation due to the building’s state-heritage listing.

Built during the recession in 1898, much of the building’s Romanesque architecture was carefully planned so the government  could employ out-of-work craftsmen, including stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists.

In a statement to the ABC, a spokesperson for Vicinity Centres said it took “responsibility to preserve the heritage of the Queen Victoria Building very seriously”.

“The proposed changes relate only to reconstructed glass panels … not original stained-glass — and is intended to improve natural light and visibility while maintaining architectural consistency along this key CBD frontage,” they said.

“At this stage, the proposal is with Council for consideration, so we’re unable to provide further comment beyond what is in the application.”

The City of Sydney is hearing community feedback on the application until 6 February, when it will then go to the Local Planning Panel for determination