Glass Pyramid At Taylor Square?
Taylor Square is an area in trouble at the moment, that much we know. The recent report commissioned by City Of Sydney found it to be a poorly planned, seedy danger zone full of “24 hour beer barns” and violence. The Sydney Morning Herald ran a story today discussing one of the proposed changes to the precinct – a glass pyramid over the closed toilet block, beneath it a restaurant.
The artist’s impression of Taylor Square (pictured) is light years away from the reality of the area at the moment. The glass structure is surrounded by parents and children milling about leisurely – no sign of the urban tumbleweed the area is plagued with right now.
Andrew Duckmanton, president of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership told the Herald, ”[The proposed establishment] will start to populate Taylor Square, because at the moment it’s a void. It will allow people to frequent it in a really nice environment.”
Of course the problem is a very complex one – and if there’s anything we’ve learnt since the Council’s overhaul of Oxford Street it’s that the area needs a lot more than new street furnishings. The glass structure is just one idea for the area, council are currently seeking expressions of interest for people interested in developing the site.
56-76 Oxford Street – a building owned by the Council, is going to be developed into a four storey food, groceries and lifestyle centre containing seventeen stores “including a butcher, fishmonger, fruit and vegetables market, cheese shop and organic grocery.”
It’s great that the area is finally being made a priority by the City Of Sydney, Clover Moore has said in the past that she wants Darlinghurst to remain Sydney’s gay village – but for the area to experience real change certain venues need to be closed, or made more accountable for the impact they’re having on the area, before the gays will be returning in any great numbers.
Nearby Foley Street will also be developed into a Melbourne-style laneway. 110-122 Oxford Street will be transformed into a boutique style hotel, addressing the demand for tourist accommodation in Darlinghurst.
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danny corvini
said ages ago