Sydney’s Brutalist icon, the Sirius building, is now on the market for a reported $100 million.
This follows the Tao Gofers-designed social housing complex being denied heritage listing in October of this year. But this wasn’t the first time.
A similar decision was made in August 2016 by then heritage minister, Mark Speakerman. The NSW Land & Environment court, then, overruled this decision in a landmark legal battle, and ordered NSW environment minister Gabrielle Upton to re-think the listing within 14 days.
However, the history of Sirius – which has been told in a recently published book – began in the 1970s when The Rocks Residents’ Group enlisted the support of the Builders Labourers’ Federation. Together, they placed a Green Ban on development in The Rocks, which saved an historic precinct and a community. Lasting for four years, this ban was overturned after those involved reached agreement and supported the building of Sirius.
Designed by Gofers in 1979, Sirius accommodates 79 residential apartments that have been used for social housing since its completion.
With its $100-million price tag, it is now set for a new multi-residential project. According to the proposal: “The draft planning controls have been prepared in accordance with SEPP 65 requirements and allow a density of approximately 85 residential dwellings, ground floor retail and commercial development or retention of the existing building.”
Despite the news, the Save Our Sirius campaign have tweeted: “We will continue to fight for Sirius and for social and affordable housing to be in all parts of our city.”
