The Hyde: Sydney's most significant high-rise residential development since Harry Seidler's 'Horizon', was officially opened this morning by Lord Mayor and Member for Sydney: Clover Moore, bringing a close to 6 years of design, development and construction. At a breakfast function set in the building's light-filled lobby, surrounded by bubbling water gardens, guests heard Professor Jennifer Taylor (of the initial design competition advisory panel) speak on the process in securing Singaporean WOHA group to design the prime Liverpool Street site.  A company whose philosophy is
to explore the intersections of culture, context, history, nature, climate, sustainability and social behaviour to inform innovative design.
The resulting design from WOHA was cited by Taylor as a delicate and respectful response to it's immediate city/park surrounds, the shifting cultural phenomenon of cosmopolitan CBD living and lifestyle as well as sustainable construction and maintenance consideration.  In completion the building now boasts the title of greenest high-rise residence in NSW thanks in part to details such as pool heating being recycled from the buildings energy waste. Clover Moore too spoke of 157 Liverpool Street's re-birth as an energy efficient, luxury complex offering a "5th Avenue Lifestyle" with pet allowance, 24 hour concierge, library and recreation facilities topped-off of course by it's sweeping views and location.  In a packed lobby guests luxuriated on Artifort and Geoffrey Harcourt's 1964 designed F511 leather lounge chairs, beneath a beautiful Janet Laurence commissioned two-storey installation: "In Your Verdant View", reflective of the Hyde Park greenery beyond the lobby doors. This landmark development will soon be followed by the completion of The Residences a neighbouring development also fronting onto Hyde Park South.  The two projects see the inner-city developers capitalising on a cultural shift from commercially dominated real estate occupation to a broader mix of recreational, residential and business - very much in line with Sydney City Councils push toward a "Living City". Congratulations must go to John Taylor (Stockland National Design Manager for apartments), June and the team on locally managing an immensely successful project. With the multi-level Archer + Wright detailed penthouse now earmarked for a sale in excess of $22 million AUD, this is truly a world class development! Want to know more? Download an overview of THE HYDE here.