Troubled hotel may become residential
An investment group is proposing to convert 17 floors of the vacant hotel above Kings Cross Station into residential apartments. About 220 studio apartments are planned, converted directly from the hotel rooms. Most would be around 27 sq metres.
In addition, one two-bedroom apartment is proposed for each floor. Prices for the strata-titled units would start at around $350,000, said Brian Kirk, an urban planner engaged by the group.
The 1960s building is owned and was recently renovated by construction company Australand. It formerly operated as the Crest and more recently the Chifley Hotel. The Crest Sports Bar, bottle shop and Goldfish bar on Darlinghurst Road have a separate lease and will remain.
Australand is still undertaking fire upgrades, and major problems with the building were cited by its previous tenants, who have gone out of business.
The new investment group, Sydney Crest Pty Ltd, has taken an option on the building and has produced preliminary plans which it is taking to Council and the local community. To the relief of many locals, the 1970s-style orange and chocolate colour scheme recently applied to the building’s exterior would go.
An open day last Thursday presented concept images of the converted building featuring a live green wall facing the Kings Cross intersection at the top of William Street. Signatures and comments were sought and a sausage sizzle provided on the street.
The building, above Kings Cross Station, has no parking. Mr Kirk said the location above this public transport hub was ideal for residential development. He said the studio units would potentially create much needed affordable housing stock for essential workers in the city. He said federal subsidies for landlords who rent such property at below market rates could soon apply.
Locals, however, have concerns that the location in the heart of an entertainment precinct makes it unsuitable for residential use.
Resident Margaret Harvie said she would be most interested in seeing a Social Impact Statement as part of any development application.
“Council and the Government need to resolve the role of Kings Cross as a residential or an entertainment precinct,” she said.
“Having high-density residential housing bang in the middle of an entertainment precinct isn’t suitable, partly because of the noise but also because studio apartments are too small to live in long-term. They would be better mixed with units of different sizes.”
Architect Paul Seaberg said double-glazing was not necessarily the best noise barrier. He said barriers outside windows could reduce both noise coming up from the street and solar radiation from above, while allowing through-ventilation.
by Michael Gormly
