Learning from Pyrmont

Callum South

10GEO2

Signs of Growth

Growth & its Causes• In this photo, we can see

construction cranes and scaffolding which are attributed to a building site. This shows that a new development is being built, amongst the other high-rise, high density buildings that have previously been constructed in the years gone by. This building is probably being constructed to match the demand – a large number of people want to live in this area of Darling Harbour, because of its close proximity (short walking distance) to Sydney’s CBD and surrounding areas. People who live in the Darling Harbour area can catch various modes of public transport to work (eg. monorail, light rail, buses or ferries), as well as walking into the CBD across the Pyrmont Bridge.

Signs of Decline

Decline & its Causes

• In this photo, we see an old hotel building that has closed. The plant growing at the top of the building show that it has not been maintained, and the windows/doors have been boarded up. No sign of redevelopment of the building is seen, but the building may be subject to renovation in the future, as it is a prime location in Pyrmont (corner Harris and John Street, just a short walk from Union Square). The closure of this hotel may have been attributed to a lack of demand, and competition from other hotels in the area.

Signs of Adaptive Reuse

Pyrmont Bridge

Railway Yards High-Density Developments

Why Adaptive Re-Use Occurs• In these two photos, we can see the

clear difference between the two uses of the Prymont Bridge. The first photo shows the bridge in the past – it was then used as a road traffic bridge, for travel between Pyrmont and Sydney CBD. In the second, more recent photo, we can see the bridge has changed into a pedestrian bridge, for foot traffic between Pyrmont and the CBD. It also carries part of the monorail track, which transport workers, tourists, and many other types of people into and around the CBD in a loop. Also, the past and present uses of the bridge commonly share the ability to open and close for passing ships, that travel into Darling Harbour.

• This adaptive re-use occurred, as better/faster road links were established with the CBD (eg. the freeway), and as buildings sprung up at either end of the bridge, it was no longer possible to keep the Pyrmont Bridge open to traffic, and it was coverted for use by pedestrians.

Prymont Bridge

Signs of Gentrification

Renovated Hotels

Renovated Residential Housing

Why Gentrification Occurs• In this photo, we can see several

small residential dwellings/small businesses occupying renovated buildings adjoining Union Square, in the heart of Pyrmont. This would be prime real estate, as you can literally step out the front door, and be footsteps away from shops, cafes/restaurants, and services, such as the Commonwealth Bank (which coincidentally is also in a renovated building).

• This gentrification occurred because the buildings are in a prime position, and in a relatively good condition (so there was no reason to knock the buildings down). Also, the buildings might have heritage protection, so no permission would be granted to redevelop the land.