Why NIMBYs tried to stop Justin Hemmes from transforming Sydney heritage buildings into 24-hour nightlife precinct
NIMBY objectors have lost a battle to stop Sydney hospitality tsar Justin Hemmes’ Merivale from transforming a heritage-listed CBD block into a 24-hour nightlife precinct.
NIMBY objectors have lost a battle to stop Sydney hospitality tsar Justin Hemmes’ Merivale from transforming a heritage-listed CBD block into a $56 million, 24-hour nightlife precinct.
Merivale was given the tick of approval for plans on Thursday night to transform large swathes of York, Clarence and King streets into a boujee underground jazz bar, supper club, night club and lounge with live music.
Meanwhile, the precinct will also include an restaurant and sports bar, gym and spa, five-storey hotel and rooftop across five heritage properties at 71-75 York St, 46-52 King St and 104-118 Clarence St, in the Sydney CBD.
The Central City Planning Panel approved the development application for the 24-hour night life plans, when it met on Thursday, after council planners backed the masterplan citing the “public interest” of the development.
Plans for the revitalisation of the CBD site earmarked the 24-hour nightlife and hotel precinct would cater for up to 10,000 people.
Nearby NIMBYs issued hundreds of objections to Justin Hemmes’ vision for the site with 280 pages of submissions, with dozens made up of copy-and-paste objections.
Several of the objections said CBD residents were “deeply concerned about the significant increase in noise levels from the proposed precinct/nightclub, which is planned to operate ... all day, every day”.
“The proposed development will result in the complete removal of all existing residential accommodation on the site, displacing current residents at a time of severe housing shortages and unaffordability,” one objector said.
“The proposed extensive liquor license for the entire site, including an open-air rooftop bar, will significantly increase the risk of public disorder, disturbances and crime.”
While another objector, DJ Chen, told council he was the owner of one of the apartments inside the building and had “no intention to sell”.
However, others championed the Merivale plans, telling council “the city needs to have more venues to support (the) 24/7 economy”.
Merivale planners said neighbours “expressed support for the proposal, specifically identifying the opportunity to create more activity in the Sydney CBD to support the 24-hour economy”.
“Merivale’s neighbours were interested in seeing more detail in relation to the mitigation of impacts during construction, as well as operational impacts such as noise, light, increased foot and vehicle traffic”.
City of Sydney council plan for 24-hour city set to go ahead despite NIMBY concern
In March, The Daily Telegraph revealed the City of Sydney was forging ahead with plans to revolutionise the Sydney CBD with a 24-hour entertainment plan, after it smacked down objections from precious NIMBYs over fears the sound of poker machines, live music and wine glasses clicking will drive them mad.
The council received hundreds of submissions to its plan for special entertainment precincts to be rolled out across the city, including claims residents of “noisy” Sydney were being drowned out by “dogs barking and cars hooning”.
City of Sydney council’s responses to resident submissions about 24-hour city plan
Despite the barrage of complaints over the vision for the future of the Harbour City, council greenlit the rollout of new Special Entertainment Precincts stretching from Circular Quay to Central Station, and from Darling Harbour to Hyde Park.
The new precincts will allow live entertainment-based venues to open as late as 2am without any changes to their licence with council.
Those venues will also be able to apply for a 24-hour licence under the changes.
Live music jazz bars and hole-in-the-wall cocktail spots, crippled by lockout laws and the Covid-19 pandemic, are set to be reinvigorated by the City of Sydney Council’s vision for a city that never sleeps.
Business Sydney boss Paul Nicolaou applauded Merivale’s “ambitious vision” to transform some of Sydney’s most “iconic heritage buildings into a world-class hospitality precinct in the heart of the CBD”.
This is exactly the kind of confidence building, big-thinking investment our city needs,” he said. “It will generate hundreds of jobs, boost the 24-hour economy, and inspire other developers to invest in Sydney’s future.
“Sydney thrives because of entrepreneurs, innovators and risk-takers like Justin Hemmes, Luke Mangan and Neil Perry — people who keep believing in and investing in our wonderful city. “Merivale’s new CBD precinct is a brilliant example of the vision and confidence that will keep Sydney vibrant, competitive and alive well into the future.”
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