SKYSCRAPERS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1930, Page 6

SKYSCRAPERS

SYDNEY’S FUTURE

LOOKING AHEAD

SYDNEY, November G

It is only a matter of time before ' Sydney will have skyscrapers as high I as those of New York. The process of i Americanising this vast city seems to be gradual but sure, and if in other things why not in buildings? Up to s the present there lias been a limit on buildings of 150 ft. This allows for something like 11 floors, and in order , to overcome the restrictions builders have excavated beneath the surface, and several buildings have four floors below the street level. It lias long been complained that the building laws of Sydney are antiquated, and this seems to be justified. To those who insist that the fire risks are too great for buildings that go higher than 150 feet it is replied that in modern buildings the fire risks is reduced to an absolute minimum; in fact, that modern steel and concrete structures are absolutely fireproof. It is clear that Sydney lias reached the same building impasse that New York faced years ago. And it will have to be solved in the same way—by building up to the skv, with the sky the limit. Under the new Building Act that is now being drafted it will he possible to lniild up to 900 feet, or twice a$ high as the famous harbour bridge, the greatest land mark m Australia to-day. Architects argue that there is no reason for any I'm it in Sydney when the building fac s s wide streets—and there, are .some wide streets in Sydney ever though the reverse is the general impression. Tncn, on the foreshores. What need is there for a limitation there where there is a free outlook and ample light? Just at present building operations in Sydney are at a standstill, but flint is only a passing phrase, so it is hoped due to the depression. No trade has been harder hit than the bul ding trade, but Sydney will not stand still for ever, and the new laws are plan ning for the future. There are so many vacant offices in the city to-day , that a block of skyscrapers would he a i white elephant, lint when the situation becomes normal again there are inr r.v investors who will lie eager 4 o bu.l'l giant places knowing that tins is file only way to receive a fit letiii'ii for the valuable blocks which they will occTny.