Competition reveals potential designs to transform vacant block of land in Sydney

·

At 114 William Street in Woolloomooloo, there is a vacant block of land owned by the government and consisting of at least 3,000 square meters of prime real estate. Until today, the place was only occupied as a random outdoor carpark for workers of the area.

But a design competition launched on Tuesday night by Street Level Australia, an urban lobby group, presented ideas for how to transform it, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The winning design. Photo: The Sydney Morning Herald

The contest, called Sydney is Beautiful, received 13 local and international entries. Each one presented a new vision for William Street.

M.J.Suttie, a Sydney-based architectural practice, was the winner. The project presented a seven-storey, neoclassical sandstone structure fronting William Street and a fresh image of Palmer Street as a pedestrian boulevard running north to the Domain, where a new public plaza, and a museum, the Institute of Traditional Urbanism, would be.

One of the competition judges, Architecture Professor Richard Economakis from the University of Notre Dame in the United States, described the winning entry as “a holistic vision of urban growth.”

“There’s a clear understanding of what the block is and what the street is… it’s a good height for William Street,” Mr Economakis added.

“It incorporates an inner open space, the courtyard… and proposes the same sort of system going forward for filling in the urban fabric.”

Second prize was awarded to an entry by Winston Grant-Preece. Mr Economakis described it as the “most Sydney” of all the ideas.

The architects also reimagined Palmer Street as a pedestrian boulevard leading to a new public plaza. Photo: The Sydney Morning Herald.

The government did not solicit, approve or oversee the competition, and there is no suggestion any of the designs will ever see the light of day.

When The Sydney Morning Herald asked Transport for NSW about the Woolloomooloo “ghost block” for a story in 2021, it said the land was no longer needed for operational purposes and its future use would be reviewed.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Thessaloniki’s Byzantine walls to shine with new light project

Thessaloniki’s iconic Byzantine Walls are set to be illuminated under a major cultural initiative announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Greek World Heritage Cities face rising climate threats

Iconic Greek cities—Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, and Patmos—face serious climate threats, according to a new UNESCO-backed report.

Are apps like Duolingo enough to learn Greek, or do we need a tutor?

For many people who want to learn conversational Greek, an app, can be a very useful addition to your program.

Greek Australians among top real estate young guns of 2025

A number of young Greek Australians have cemented their place among the best in Sydney and NSW’s real estate scene.

Lachlan Arghyros balances surfing dreams and school through distance education

Fifteen-year-old Lachlan Arghyros from Kingscliff, NSW, is making waves both in and out of the water as he chases a surfing career.

You May Also Like

Michael Petrou adds a Greek twist to the Indigenous cuisine at Karkalla Byron Bay

Greek Cypriot chef, Michael Petrou, shares how he adds a Greek twist to the Indigenous cuisine at Karkalla Byron Bay.

Gold Coast Suns delist James Tsitas after 2024 season

James Tsitas leaves the Suns after three years on the Gold Coast, as the club chooses to delist him for the upcoming 2025 season.

Consul General of Greece in Sydney holds video conference with the Governor of NSW

The Governor of New South Wales had a video conference with the Consul-General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, on September 6, 2021.