History In The Making At Pyrmont

Sun Herald

Sunday June 18, 2000

By CINDY MARTIN

AS OWNERS begin to move into their new homes at Jacksons Landing at Pyrmont, history is being made and history is being retained.

Barry and Katherine Goldman moved into their Huxley terrace last week after viewing the plans a year ago. As developers themselves, their choice showed great confidence in the design and architecture.

Both agreed that after living in Roseville for many years it was a big change. They liked the idea of being part of a community and they felt Jacksons Landing was a suburb in itself, close enough to walk to the city.

Their three-level, four-bedroom terrace has wooden floors throughout, open plan living areas and an outdoor courtyard.

``We are so excited to have moved in," Mrs Goldman said.

``Everything worked out really well for us. We sold our house in Roseville and moved straight in."

``We just loved the architecture and the low maintenance," Mr Goldman added. ``We have a property in the country and a beach house in Newport. This is just perfect for a city pad."

The Goldmans have moved in with their three teenagers, Alice, Laura and Brayden.

``I feel secure leaving the kids here on their own when Katherine and I go to the country," Mr Goldman said.

Jacksons Landing was not always a stylish waterfront village.

In 1875 Edward Knox chose the site to set up headquarters for his company, The Colonial Refining Company, later CSR.

The sugar business grew strongly and in 1901 distillery operations began and within a few years about one third of Australia's rum was produced at the Jacksons Landing refinery.

Pyrmont was named by Captain John Macarthur as it reminded him of Pyrmont near Hanover in Germany. The original refinery at Jacksons Landing took two years to build out of locally quarried stone and cost #120,000. Opened with a staff of 90 and capacity of 400 tonnes a week, at its close CSR had a staff of 440 and capacity of 6,000 tonnes a week.

Set on a land parcel of almost 12ha, Jacksons Landing now represents one of the largest urban waterfront redevelopments ever undertaken in Australia. The sheer size and scale of the project sees the creation of a distinct new inner-city neighbourhood.

Lend Lease marketing and sales manager Graeme Meers said a key element within the neighbourhood is the diversity of housing styles.

``The styles range from luxury waterfront apartments, mid- and high-rise living, contemporary terrace housing and warehouse loft apartments," Mr Meers said.

``Buyers are mainly owner-occupiers from within a 10km radius of Jacksons Landing."

The site was bought by Lend Lease Developments from CSR in 1996. It is now owned by a joint venture partnership formed in 1998 between three companies Lend Lease Development with a 50pc stakeholding, Kerry Properties and Reco Pyrmont Australia, with a 25pc stakeholding each.

Jacksons Landing will house 1,500 units and terraces of which only 25pc are complete.

The frontage of more than 600m to Sydney Harbour coupled with the dramatic topography of the site will mean that the majority of residents will enjoy harbour views. Almost half of the project is open space, public and private, including parks, landscaped gardens, foreshore promenades, timber boardwalks, walkways and piazzas.

Jacksons Landing will boast a range of community facilities for the residents including a 24-hour concierge and security, community clubhouse and swimming pool, tennis courts, cafes and a restaurant.

Most residential buildings will also have private facilities such as a pool, spa, sauna and gymnasium.

According to Mr Meers, one of the most exciting innovations at Jacksons Landing is the availability of the exclusive, ``On Line Butler".

``This is an Internet home shopping service allowing residents to electronically order groceries, laundry, dry-cleaning, carwashing and other household services," he said.

Architects and planners, both Australian and international, have designed the various buildings. Internationally acclaimed US architects Moore, Ruble, Yudell designed the waterfront units while local architects Richard Huxley and Tonkin Zulaihka designed the terraces. Plans are well advanced by Daryl Jackson and Robin Dyke for the Boiler Houses.

Existing buildings with heritage listing or historical and architectural significance have been retained and will be converted for residential use.

Among the buildings being retained are the Rum Store, built around 1879, which was storage for rum and accommodation for site engineers. The Gatehouse, built in 1901, was used as a security check point. Cooperage, built in 1901, was where rum barrels were made and repaired. Boiler House, built in the 1930s, supplied steam for power generation and Tablet House, built in 1908, was where sugar was pressed and cut into tablets or cubes.

The newly completed buildings include Regatta Wharf, The Elizabeth and The Terraces. Prices for the waterfront units started from $590,000 for spacious two-bedroom units and $810,000 for a three-bedroom unit.

© 2000 Sun Herald

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