" The Rocks " is one of the oldest parts of Sydney and it contains the " Sirius " building, adjacent to our Harbour bridge and an address with stunning harbour and city views. These apartments were showing the ravages of age but were highly valued by their Housing Commission tenants when it was decided to sell the site for redevelopment and use the money to build new public housing on the city perimeter.
There is no doubt that a luxury apartment on the Sirius site will be a multi million dollar investment and much sought after. The plans call for seventy-six apartments, a pool, gym, cafe and other commercial interests - and parking for seventy cars.
Right next door to the Sirius site is another still functioning example of Sydney's earlier days. The Mercantile Hotel is Sydney's oldest Irish pub and in 2019 it had plans approved for a rooftop bar and restaurant to enliven Sydney's night life and take advantage of its marvellous city views.
The rebuilding of the Sirius apartments is a $ 125 million project and now there are doubts that these two developments, side by side - are compatible. It is obvious that some of the lower Sirius apartments will be impacted by this rooftop bar of the hotel.
What is feared is a repeat of the ongoing controversy that has affected retail operations of Sydney's iconic entertainment landmark - Luna Park. This opened in 1935 on land in North Sydney, a mere six hundred metres from what would later become the northern end of the Sydney Harbour bridge.. It later became surrounded by high rise apartment towers as north Sydney became a popular residential suburb because of its views and proximity to the city centre.
The residents in these towers constantly complain about the noise from people enjoying themselves at Luna Park and the fun rides there have been restricted to lesser hours and in some cases banned. People went to court to have it reduced even when buying apartments overlooking Luna Park were aware of this noise problem, but still went to court to try to force the entertainment venue to become uneconomic and close.
There are calls for this Sirius development to be suitably insulated to avoid penetration from the rooftop bar and restaurant approved next door. It's license will permit it to seat one hundred and fifty patrons both inside and outside and operate during week nights until 10 pm.
Pressure is building to have all Sirius apartments within a hundred metres of the Mercantile Hotel equipped with acoustic seals and double glazing. This rooftop garden will be a welcome addition to Sydney's night life and the city has suffered an agonising live music retreat in recent years. It would make sense to take steps in the construction stage to reduce this noise problem early by the correct use of insulating material.
A lesson should have been learned from the Luna Park controversy.
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