A new public park opened yesterday that will honour the memory of renowned Australian architect Harry Seidler and is hoped it will breathe life into Milsons Point.
The park, named after Seidler, will opened 10 November in the urban precinct of Milsons Point, adjacent to the Seidler Office.
Penelope Seidler, the wife of the late Harry Seidler, was invited to officially open the park before a private gathering of dignitaries, business and community leaders, friends and family.
Special guests and speakers at the event include the Hon. Joe Hockey, the Major of North Sydney Genia McCaffery and renowned Australian author David Malouf.
“The opening of Harry’s park is a momentous occasion that will honour Harry’s memory,” said Penelope Seidler.
“It will also contribute a unique greenscape to the North Sydney community that can be used for generations to come.”
Overlooking Luna Park and with a stunning 180-degree view of west Sydney Harbour, the park will commemorate Harry Seidler’s life and the significant contribution he made to architecture internationally and at home, typified by the Rose Seidler House, Australia Square, MLC Centre, Grosvenor Place, the Horizon and the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.
John Curro, project architect and partner from Harry Seidler & Associates, designed the park using a palette of elements and materials that were common to Harry’s work.
“We have used contrasts which Harry favoured, including straight and curved elements, smooth white and textured grey finishes, strong geometric forms and soft irregular planting. Harry also liked to craft shifting voids in solid forms as seen in the curved wall with its viewing slot framing Luna Park and Lavender Bay”, Curro said.
“The park also creates a forecourt to Harry Seidler’s Sulman-award winning Office Building which reinforces the streetscape building elements in transition to the protected Fig Tree Precinct,” he said.
A vibrant blue metal sculpture, ‘Tracing Light — for Harry 3D/4D’, was designed for the park by the Australian artist Robert Owen.
The park’s location also has a special personal family connection for Penelope Seidler as her father, the late Clive R. Evatt QC, grew up in Kirriblli, and with his brothers attended the local church (St Johns Anglican Kirribilli) where they sang in the choir. Their house was demolished for the construction of the Harbour Bridge.
Harry Seidler & Associates are responsible for the design and development of the park, which is a gift from Penelope Seidler to the people of Sydney
In 2006, Penelope Seidler secured a covenant over the State-owned site for $5 million which was paid to Multiplex to protect the site from a multi-storey development.
North Sydney Council contributed $150,000 towards the park construction and is working in tandem with the Luna Park Reserve Trust and Luna Park Sydney to ensure the ongoing existence and maintenance of the new public park.
