International Convention Centre Hotel

The hotel building is completely out of place
To the rest of the buildings in the area and will
Be a blot on the harbour side development
And it should not be allowed to proceed !

This is a cheap boring modernist cube. I thought we were to get an "Exciting revitalised Darling Harbour"

Lend Lease wins again: WHY

I think a hotel of this proposed height at Darling Harbour is unnecessary. It will not enhance the western side of the Harbour, but instead look completely out of place. The eastern side of the Harbour is where the skyline should increase. If a hotel was 'allocated' for that area so long ago, then redevelop Harbourside. It's architecture is dated. A long, 5 or 6 level hotel running the span of the western side to the old Pyrmont Bridge would fulfil the accommodation market.

Impact on foreshore area
Currently the foreshore area is heavily used by Sydney residents and tourists as a place to sit, socialise, read, and enjoy the sun, open space and water. The proposed hotel will heavily encroach on and overshadow this area and destroy the atmosphere and enjoyment of the people who frequent or visit the area.

Safety
The foreshore area directly in front of the proposed hotel is already at full capacity during peak times and special events. It cannot accommodate the thousands of extra people from the hotel and convention centre. The hotel would make this area around the water's edge unsafe, particularly given the number of children that frequent the area.

Height limits
The proposed hotel is drastically higher than any permissible height limits for the surrounding area including CBD buildings. Height should comply with the redevelopment principles of Darling Quarter which despite being located much further away from the foreshore area had heavy restrictions on the height and design so as not to have a detrimental impact on the local area. This proposed hotel inexplicably has not had height restrictions applied to it. Redevelopment principles that were applied to Darling Quarter redevelopment included:
* consistent with the existing successful models of Cockle Bay and King Street Wharf,
* comprise of ground floor and eight (8) storeys,
* south eastern corner is setback to allow midwinter morning sun to penetrate
* recommended building separations for apartments are set out in the Residential Flat Design Code (SEPP 65) in order to minimise impact from overshadowing and increase acoustic and visual privacy
* loss of view to residents because of the Darling Walk redevelopment will not be significantly greater than set out in the Concept Plan.
* the CBD skyline is visible above the development to the east, thus the important visual connection between Darling Walk precinct and the CBD is maintained
* proposed buildings facing Harbour Street are significantly lower than the existing buildings to the east........such that the proposal's impact on views from surrounding buildings is minimised
Such reasoning as overshadowing of Darling Harbour public spaces and water, surrounding vistas and the visual impact from the city to the west over the heritage buildings of Pyrmont have been totally ignored in this hotel proposal.

Impact on area's historical significance
The only remaining buildings representative of Darling Harbour's history that can be still be seen are the historical wool store buildings (135 Pyrmont Road and Goldsbrough building originally built in 1883). These are located directly behind the proposed hotel and would become totally obscured by the hotel. A central function of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) as stated in their website, is the care, management and interpretation of the significant cultural heritage resources that exist within its jurisdiction, including buildings. This means that under the SHFA remit, they have a responsibility to ensure that the only remaining buildings of historical significance to Darling Harbour remain visible - not hidden behind the proposed hotel which towers over the foreshore area.

Impact on local residential area
The area immediately behind the proposed hotel is a residential area and is already heavily congested during peak periods and weekends, particularly leading to/from the Fish Markets and Anzac Bridge. Placing a hotel of this size in this location would exacerbate the existing congestion problem and increase traffic into local residential streets thereby negatively impacting those residents.

I object to this development.

Darling harbour has enough hotels. The proposed building is an eye sore for the Darling Harbour area, too high and does not fit in with the rest of the buildings in the precinct and is drastically higher than any permissible height limits for the surrounding area including CBD buildings. The proposed building has not had these height limits applied to it, which is eight (8) storeys maximum.



I am a regular user of Darling harbour and this building will block daylight and sunshine from the area. it will also change the relaxed atmosphere of the area by overshadowing the precinct.

I am also concerned for residents of the area, who currently own property and their view has now been blocked without consultation and their are huge concerns over the increase in traffic for the roads around the area that this building will bring.

SHFA) as stated in their website, is the care, management and interpretation of the significant cultural heritage resources that exist within its jurisdiction, including buildings. This has not been adhered to.

As a local resident, the proposed height of the building will adversely impact my amenity of living in the area. I am concerned about 1) the shadow it will cast, 2) the lack of consistency with other buildings in the area and 3) the additional crowding it will produce.

The building being proposed contravenes the height restrictions, will shadow our building at 320 harris street, and will create more extensive traffic on our area. The building will look completely at odds with the surroundings.

Reasons why the proposed hotel should not be approved:

Impact on foreshore area
Currently the foreshore area is heavily used by Sydney residents and tourists as a place to sit, socialise, read, and enjoy the sun, open space and water. The proposed hotel will heavily encroach on and overshadow this area and destroy the atmosphere and enjoyment of the people who frequent or visit the area.

Safety
The foreshore area directly in front of the proposed hotel is already at full capacity during peak times and special events. It cannot accommodate the thousands of extra people from the hotel and convention centre. The hotel would make this area around the water's edge unsafe, particularly given the number of children that frequent the area.

Height limits
The proposed hotel is drastically higher than any permissible height limits for the surrounding area including CBD buildings. Height should comply with the redevelopment principles of Darling Quarter which despite being located much further away from the foreshore area had heavy restrictions on the height and design so as not to have a detrimental impact on the local area. This proposed hotel inexplicably has not had height restrictions applied to it. Redevelopment principles that were applied to Darling Quarter redevelopment included:

· consistent with the existing successful models of Cockle Bay and King Street Wharf,

· comprise of ground floor and eight (8) storeys,

· south eastern corner is setback to allow midwinter morning sun to penetrate

· recommended building separations for apartments are set out in the Residential Flat Design Code (SEPP 65) in order to minimise impact from overshadowing and increase acoustic and visual privacy

· loss of view to residents because of the Darling Walk redevelopment will not be significantly greater than set out in the Concept Plan.

· the CBD skyline is visible above the development to the east, thus the important visual connection between Darling Walk precinct and the CBD is maintained

· proposed buildings facing Harbour Street are significantly lower than the existing buildings to the east........such that the proposal's impact on views from surrounding buildings is minimised

Such reasoning as overshadowing of Darling Harbour public spaces and water, surrounding vistas and the visual impact from the city to the west over the heritage buildings of Pyrmont have been totally ignored in this hotel proposal.

The overshadowing of the Pyrmont Ultimo area will affect the rooftop gardens, balcony gardens, parks, and streets, making it darker and less pleasant to enjoy our community spaces for residents including the growing number of children in the area.

Impact on area's historical significance
The only remaining buildings representative of Darling Harbour's history that can be still be seen are the historical wool store buildings (135 Pyrmont Road and Goldsbrough building originally built in 1883). These are located directly behind the proposed hotel and would become totally obscured by the hotel. A central function of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) as stated in their website, is the care, management and interpretation of the significant cultural heritage resources that exist within its jurisdiction, including buildings. This means that under the SHFA remit, they have a responsibility to ensure that the only remaining buildings of historical significance to Darling Harbour remain visible - not hidden behind the proposed hotel which towers over the foreshore area.

Impact on local residential area
The area immediately behind the proposed hotel is a residential area and is already heavily congested during peak periods and weekends, particularly leading to/from the Fish Markets and Anzac Bridge. Placing a hotel of this size in this location would exacerbate the existing congestion problem and increase traffic into local residential streets thereby negatively impacting those residents.

Currently the foreshore area is heavily used by Sydney residents and tourists as a place to sit, socialise, read, and enjoy the sun, open space and water. The proposed hotel will heavily encroach on and overshadow this area and destroy the atmosphere and enjoyment of the people who frequent or visit the area.

The foreshore area directly in front of the proposed hotel is already at full capacity during peak times and special events. It cannot accommodate the thousands of extra people from the hotel and convention centre.

The proposed hotel is drastically higher than any permissible height limits for the surrounding area including CBD buildings. Height should comply with the redevelopment principles of Darling Quarter which despite being located much further away from the foreshore area had heavy restrictions on the height and design so as not to have a detrimental impact on the local area. This proposed hotel inexplicably has not had height restrictions applied to it.

I believe the hotel that has been proposed has breached any previous height restrictions and will directly impact on the Goldsborough and MCentral located behind it. Darling Harbour has always been a family destination and as such should not have large buildings shadowing the foreshore. I am hoping, as seems to be the case, the developers go for an "over the top" hotel height in the knowledge that they will end up with something much smaller. I am hoping that this is the case but my faith in the NSW Gov't's development process has been sorely tested with the debacle that was "Barangaroo". Please don't build another "eyesore" as Darling Harbour is a special place for many Sydneysiders.

I believe this development is not in keeping with the Darling Harbour environment. It is far too high and will spoil the light/shadows in the area. Darling Harbour is a phenomenal family environment and there are surely enough hotels etc in the area. My main point of contention is the height of the building and the shadowing effect which will spoil the area completely.
DO NOT ALLOW THIS DEVELOPMENT.

The height and scale of this development is completely inappropriate for the location. It will literally stick out like a sore thumb, destroying Darling Harbour as an attractive, family-orientated destination for day's out, functions and festivals.

This proposed structure does not suit area we are not the USA or Gold Coast.

Totally inappropriate for the area. Almost ridiculous that it is being considered.

The planned hotel will be a blight on the current Darling Harbour landscape, is too tall, and will negatively affect the view and the value of properties which currently have a view from Pyrmont. The old wool stores and warehouses will no longer be visible from the city, and this will detract significantly from visitors' appreciation of the history and heritage of Darling Harbour and the city's west.

The planned hotel building is significantly higher than any of the current buildings surrounding Darling Harbour. Not enough consideration has been made to the owners and occupants of the residential properties which will have their current views of Darling Harbour ruined by this proposed development, and resulting loss of value to their properties. The loss of visibility of the heritage buildings around Darling Harbour will also be a great shame, and will spoil the history of the location, meaning that, apart from Pyrmont Bridge, no history will be visible, and the area will be a faceless modern complex which could be in any new SE Asian city.

As a resident of Pyrmont I am concerned by the height of the hotel as it isn't consistent with the rest of the developments in Darling Harbour. The proposed hotels closeness to residential areas will also affect viewing and morning sunshine for many residents in the area. Looking from East to West, Pyrmont's historic buildings will be obscured by the proposed new hotel. There is little history left to view in Sydney why obscure even more of it.
Pyrmont is a residential area, the size of the hotel and the additional traffic (foot and vehicle) will take away the family friendly feel of the precinct.

I am raising an objection to the 38 story hotel as part of the development as it will cause significant afternoon shadowing of Darling Harbour and Tumbalong Park.

This will reduce the enjoyment that visitors and residents can have in this valuable recreational precinct

Let me be upfront. I object to the Hotel proposal as it stands.
Height - it is totally in contrast to the existing built environment. I acknowledge that is what the architect wanted but not necessarily anyone else. To say in the proposal 'that this is a better proposal than the two tower one we were originally planning', is admitting to the lessor of two evils. We don't want any architectural evil perpetrated in Darling Harbour. The building should remain with the existing height envelope of the surrounding area.
Aesthetics - With the Hotel tower rising out of the first few floors of Convention/exhibition/ballroom space, quite frankly, the building looks like it is giving the CBD 'the finger'. The concept is further developed by the roof top 'light box' making the fingernail. The proposal admits that the glass façade is quite harsh and has attempted to 'soften' the look by adding lace to the harbour front wall of the tower. Effectively making it The Lady Finger.
Shadowing - I can't believe that anyone can accept a 'shadow study' that stops at 4pm in summer. The shadow that is going to be cast over the public walk ways on a summer afternoon is going to be extensive and beyond the 4pm 'sample'. The area is an identified tourist area which will not be enhanced by having extensive public walkways in shadow. There is also no discussion about the potential impact of the extensive shadow on the marine environment of Darling Harbour. If we are not going to care about the marine environment we may as well fill in it and let the developers really go to town. Although, without the harbour precinct, would anyone come to the area? May as well go to Fox Studios. A cynic would suggest that the shadow study stopped at 4pm to hide what is blatantly obvious to any Australian. NSW Planning and Infrastructure cannot hide in the shadow on this issue.
If the developers are saying that they need the height in order to make the proposal economically viable, then they need to start again with something more befitting of our constrained economic times.

Dear Sir/Madam,
I was born and bred in Pyrmont in 1954. My Family left when I was a teenager. I missed my town so much that I bought an apartment back there in 1995. I have seen a lot of changes,some good some bad. I strongly feel that the proposed 38 storey high building is way too high. I like the way all the buildings on the West side of Cockle Bay is of a reasonable height. It would be a huge mistake and a shame for Sydneys most popular play area to be shadowed by tall buildings.I feel the tall buildings should be left in the cbd area not Sydneys playground. This tall building would be an eyesaw and spoil the look of Darling Harbour.

Regards Geraldine Campbell