Doltone House trumps tech giant Google in war over restaurant windows

A local businessman Paul Signorelli has won a battle with tech giant Google over their new headquarters, which would have killed the atmosphere at his new restaurant.

In a classic case of David vs Goliath – or in this case Doltone vs Google – one local businessman has had an extraordinary win against the tech giant by getting it to move its new building 1.2 metres.

Doltone House owner Paul ­Signorelli is celebrating after he forced Google to alter the plans for its new $80 million office building at Pyrmont.

As reported in The Sunday Telegraph earlier this year, Mr Signorelli was concerned the building would have been right against two windows to his new Revy Food and Wine Bar.

The stoush got ugly, with Mr Signorelli describing the company’s behaviour in March as “bullish” and “arrogant”.

Doltone House owners Paul Signorelli and his sister Anna have triumphed over Google’s plans for a new office building.

But amended plans lodged with the City of Sydney last month show the company – which has a market cap of $1.7 trillion – has decided to put in a 1.2m setback between their new building and Mr Signorelli’s, allowing air and natural light into the building.

“This new building by Google will be a win for the community and a win for heritage in the area,” Mr Signorelli said.

“The Arrow Marine building is more than 100 years old. We need to make sure the building can breathe.”

Doltone House owner Paul Signorelli (middle) with his sisters Anna Cesarano (left) and Nina Milazzo (right) along with chefs John Edmonds (far left) and Mario Karam (far right) Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The new restaurant, opening in September, is contained within the Arrow Marine building, which was constructed in 1917 and remains the only stand-alone heritage building in the area.

It is part of a unique group of early 20th century harbourside structures that point to its history as part of the “working harbour”.

“It will be the first time the public can access the Arrow Marine building in 105 years,” Mr Signorelli said.

Planning documents submitted to the council by Google said the new western setback “will increase amenity to the Arrow Marine Building in the form of daylight access and natural ventilation, while also allowing for maintenance of the Arrow Marine Building’s walls and windows”.

“The setback also increases the visual separation to the Arrow Marine Building when viewed from Jones Bay and the harbour foreshore,” the submission said.

“The new 1.2m setback will result in a positive heritage impact.”

The change means Google will lose 34sq m of floor space, reducing its office to a total of 445 sqm.

The company declined to comment.

Google is renovating the old channel Seven building, known as REVY, in order to house 600 employees.

The Royal Australian Navy and the Postmaster General’s departments were once located in the heritage buildings.