Blues Point Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blues Point Tower |
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Blues Point Tower
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Residential |
| Architectural style | Modernist |
| Location | Sydney |
| Address | 14–28 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point |
| Coordinates | 33°50′57″S 151°12′12″E / 33.84917°S 151.20333°E |
| Completed | 1962 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 83 m (272 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 25 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Harry Seidler and Associates |
Blues Point Tower is a tall apartment building in Sydney, Australia. It is located in McMahons Point, a suburb close to North Sydney. The tower is 83 meters (about 272 feet) tall. It has 144 apartments spread over 25 levels. Some people think this building is one of the least attractive in Sydney.
Contents
History of Blues Point Tower
Building a Landmark
Construction of Blues Point Tower finished in 1962. For eight years, it was the tallest residential building in Australia. It held this record until 1970.
The famous architect Harry Seidler and his team designed the tower. Seidler had a big plan to build many apartments in the whole McMahons Point area. In 1957, there was a suggestion to make the area industrial. This meant it would be used for factories and businesses. Seidler thought it would be much better to build hundreds of apartments instead. He wanted all of them to have amazing views of the harbour.
Even though the idea of an industrial zone was dropped, Seidler's bigger plan for many apartments didn't get enough support. So, Blues Point Tower was the only part of his large vision that actually got built.
A company called Civil & Civic, led by Dick Dusseldorp, hired Seidler to design the tower. During construction, their office was in an old Victorian house called Bellvue. This house was built in the 1870s and used to be on the same spot where the tower now stands.
In February 2011, a large radar was added to the building's roof. This radar is 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall and is used for maritime (sea) purposes.
Design and Importance
Architectural Style
The Blues Point Tower is officially listed as a heritage building. This means it is important to the history and culture of the area. The listing describes it as a "Conspicuous, though unpopular, example of Internationalist style."
This building was very new and different for its time. It was meant to be the start of a whole new way of designing buildings. It also aimed to show how to create high-density housing. High-density housing means building many homes close together in a small area.
Public Opinion and Criticism
Why Some People Dislike It
Many people in Sydney think Blues Point Tower does not fit in with the buildings around it. They also feel it doesn't match the overall look of the city. Over the years, many public figures have criticized the tower. Some have even suggested it should be torn down.
However, in 1993, the North Sydney Council added the building to its local heritage register. This means it is protected and recognized for its historical importance.
Harry Seidler, the architect, strongly defended his design. When a journalist asked him about the criticism, he said:
"Come on, this is old news, stupid bloody nonsense, I'm sick to death of it. ... I've always thought Blues Point Tower is one of my best buildings and I stand by that. Anybody who can't see anything in it ought to go back to school."
—Seidler, responding to questions from journalist Stephen Lacey
