Planning approval has been awarded for a $200 million transformation of three heritage blocks in Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, at the original heart of Sydney’s gay community.
The development, to be overseen by architecture firm FJMT, was approved by the City of Sydney on 18 May.
It will be the first major refurbishment for the area in 25 years, transforming the tired strip at the intersection of Kings Cross, Hyde Park, Paddington and Surry Hills into an office, retail, hospitality and creative precinct.
Sydney investment house Ashe Morgan purchased the three blocks in 2019. The trigger for the investment was a plan by the City of Sydney to reactivate the area, which has been steadily declining in popularity since the introduction of the NSW government’s controversial lockout laws in 2014, and preserve its place as a focal point for LGBTIQA+ culture.
“To ensure LGBTIQA+ culture and communities are visible and reflected across the precinct, public art, positive messaging, flags, banners and other creative concepts for public spaces will be explored,” said a spokesperson for the City of Sydney.
Designs by FJMT will restore the heritage buildings and retail frontage along Oxford Street.
Image: FJMT
FJMT’s plans for the development will retain the heritage facades fronting Oxford Street, overlooking the Sydney Harbour, while enhancing the precinct for the community.
“Our concept is to create a carefully crafted interplay between the beautiful turn of the century heritage buildings and a new dynamic series of glass and metal forms that hover above,” FJMT design director Richard Francis Jones said upon preparation of the designs back in 2020.
“This composed integration of heritage and advanced architectural form will create sustainable and inspiring places to work, while reinvigorating the street life of Oxford Street and the authenticity of its laneways.”
Developer Allan Vidor said the revival will “pay homage” to the historic buildings and preserve their LGBTQI+ legacy, while promising to bring new vitality to the precinct. A new shared laneway between the buildings will feature a prominent public art installation alongside restaurants, bars and boutique shopping.
“The proposed redevelopment has already created a lot of qualified interest from well-regarded local and international commercial, cultural and retail tenants alike, and this approval will now allow us to progress the rejuvenation of the Oxford Street precinct with confidence,” Vidor said.
The completion of the Oxford and Foley precinct is earmarked for 2023, in preparation for Sydney to host the WorldPride Festival in February.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
