Barangaroo: From Industrial Wasteland to Urban Oasis

[@BuildingBeautifully]

Hey! So...I honestly don’t know what the response to this video will be. Researching this video proved to me that while many people do like Barangaroo, a lot of people detest it. I expect a somewhat divisive response in the comments for this video. Just know that I did try to explore this topic as best as I could, trying to discuss its advantages and disadvantages, while also offering my own view of the precinct. I love it there - maybe you do, maybe you don’t - but let’s keep it civil in the comments. Thank you for watching!

[@lukew3940]

Hey mate, really enjoy your videos. Can you do an analysis on Electric Vehicle adoption in NSW

[@Nismo-gy3wz]

awesome

[@LegitArchitecture]

I worked on the planning of this scheme last year, doing the animation for the construction process. It's very expensive because of the groundwater pumping while they fully tank the basement.

[@childrensorg856]

Who are you anyway? Don't think you're even Australian.

[@electro_sykes]

another circular quay in the making

[@AL-el2bl]

Year 9 Geography teachers going to love this 😂

[@liammland]

We watched it in year 12 geography yesterday 😂

[@greenlach7398]

Or Senior Geography that use Barangaroo as an example of Urban renewal

[@laurafergs88]

Or uni students who don't live in Sydney 👀

[@anonymousthe1st885]

Fax

[@shaytrueblueaussie]

@@greenlach7398Yep, can confirm.

[@gslim7337]

I worked on the Barangaroo site and I think I can shed some light as to why the final development is what it is. The site up until 1925 was the old Sydney gasworks for which coal tar was allowed to freely seep into the sandstone. The concrete slab that made up the container wharf sat on a fill consisting of a mixture of clay & asbestos. Damn, if the carcinogens won't get you, the fibres will. It had to all be extracted and it was an enormously expensive process. I guess that was the tradeoff to get a safe clean parkland that you have today.

[@lori8501]

Great information! One that backs up my frustration with people in our society who complain when things are expensive yet demand Sustainability Initiatives of businesses and projects. Anything with that label is EXPENSIVE, the money has to come from somewhere!

[@djanitatiana]

@@lori8501 Exactly this. It costs a bucketload and us in the harbour precinct should keep in mind how much could be built in Parramatta, Campbelltown or Schofields, say, for the same money, and be humble about it.

[@jim_ouk]

Not too long ago, I travelled to Barangaroo for a solo photo walk. As I walked around Barangaroo taking my photos, I was a bit baffled that a place so modern compared to the rest of Sydney had a totally different atmosphere. Like, you put one foot in Wynyard, everything's familiar (well, assuming you're a NSW citizen) Once you step back into Barangaroo, suddenly you travelled to the future.

[@aperinich]

Don't be baffled. Many parts of Sydney are older than 200 years. Barangaroo didn't even exist 10 years ago. This is why it looks new - imagine that ! !

[@marmac83]

@@aperinich That's not what they mean.

[@lamonimita3422]

Sharath, I am so proud of you, Mate. Your videos are so well thought out and executed - It's no surprise that you're blowing up nowadays. I remember when you hit 5k subscribers, and now you're touching 25k. You deserve the recognition you're getting. Suggestion: Could you possibly consider a video on Sydney Olympic Park (development from swampland to Olympic Village to Olympic games to Opal Tower to now)? Also, an episode on Wentworth Point/Rhodes pocket would be interesting. Thanks and keep up the great work, Mate.

[@oliveelephant]

I second the call for a Rhodes/Wentworth Point (Homebush Bay) episode. I recall in the 90s travelling into the city and seeing the Greenpeace shipping container with the poison symbol on it just below the bridge to Meadowbank, and even people walking around in hazmat suits. Also curious as to the extent of the remediation on the Wentworth Point side, seeing as there's a school there now, and as far as I recall they didn't remove the top 5 metres of soil on that side. Though maybe the most toxic thing still in that area is an ex-gf of mine haha

[@timmyhexham9603]

Loved the video AND what a wonderful presentation

[@johnstevenson5084]

An amazing place to spend time. A devastating place to spend money.

[@MattWhitehorn]

As a Melbournian - it certainly looks like a vastly better outcome than some of the similar urban renewal attempts in the Docklands here, it actually looks pleasant to be there. Also great that for the new growth areas there's a plan for a metro stop in them - unlike the current plans for Fisherman's Bend, where there's big plans for renewal, but probably will fall well short on connectivity from day one, while the ferry connections and pathway to existing rail show it's being considered from the outset. Seems like we could learn a bit from Sydney here.

[@itsgrimace]

The casino will always leave a sour taste. 1) the approvals thing 2) the conditional licence which they broke the condition of but still get to keep the licence?! For me it's a reminder there are 2 sets of rules.

[@nolesy34]

Oh yes that means if you actually own a casino you can do something legally wrong... Go hiding somwhere before the media catch on, and when parliament sits come out of hiding with a fresh bill passed just for you, then invite the media Hey you haven't done anything if it was passed already

[@ALxdCr4ftPlays]

Good video. Yes I tried walking from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay via Barangaroo early January, and the reserve is BIG. Aerial views make it look smaller than it really is by foot.

[@hardly.rivai_YT]

I visited Barangaroo one day and had a scoop of gelato there while waiting for the ferry to Parramatta that later arrived in the afternoon. There was a lot of people visiting this area, which shows the significance of urban renewal in Sydney in bringing all walks of life to come here to work, relax, chatting with friends, and more. I have to agree, the vested interests of private developers have turned Barangaroo into a polarising place to the point that Crown Casino is being stripped of its gambling licence before it has even open. However, the creation of Barangaroo Park provided much needed open space Sydney desperately needs in a CBD that is barely devoid of green public places. And the creation of Barangaroo Central will bring public housing at a time where it is most needed, even as renting becomes highly unaffordable. So yes, Barangaroo is not perfect, but it is better than nothing, and then some. It is an example, a standard, and a reminder about urban rejuvenation in Sydney, and how it is important that urban planners and government must account public interests before developing and constructing these places. Hopefully, Parramatta and Bradfield builds upon the foundation Barangaroo laid out and transform Sydney into a global city that we can definitely be feel proud of, including myself.

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

Barely devoid?…. It’s either barely… Or it’s devoid.

[@aperinich]

While it was the Ports Authority, it was private property, and not able to be trounced upon by every ice cream muncher walking about the city. Seeing as its no longer Ports Authority, it would necessarily see more foot traffic - even if it were simply abandoned structures. The increase of pedestrian traffic is unavoidable,, and says nothing about the intention or quality of the development itself.

[@Squato]

Not a bad video! But I think there is one element that you didn't discuss that I think is worth covering. Namely that the area used to be called "The Hungry Mile". You touched on it when you pointed out the history of the area by citing that the space used to be given over to cargo port stuff (before the switch to cruise ships). Thing is, this part of the story, if pointed out, REALLY highlights the whole reason for the name. So the first thing to note is that back in the day, and this goes back to when The Rocks area was a working port for cargo ships, you used to have different companies who owned the warehouses and other spots on the harbour used to manage the flow of goods between the city and the world at large. Most of these would be independent operatiors who managed their own space. Some might be linked to a company or other group, but generally speaking, these warehouses would be more there for whatever goods happened to come in and needed a space to go. This plays into the name, since with rare exceptions, most of the workers would be people hired as jobs came in and not otherwise working full time for the business. There is a number of reasons for this, but the big reason is the business tended to rarely value the need for full time staff beyond their basic level (foreman, someone watching the place at night, etc), since they didn't feel the need to worry about paying for people during lean times when the warehouse may not get any business. Reality, it meant they could hire people on the cheap and not care about them at the end of the day. This meant that generally speaking, most places had a fairly basic hiring system in place for the staff they needed. At the start of the day, there would be a crowd of people outside ready and waiting to work and earn a bob for doing what needed to be done. The Foreman, or someone else, would work out how many people they needed and picked them from the crowd. Those people signed their name down and got offered the chance to work a full day of work if they didn't do anything wrong. At the end of the day they got their pay, then largely would be forgotten unless they built up a good enough rep with the people in charge that they would be picked more days in a row. Hence the point of the name. The Hungry Mile was the name given to those who didn't get a job that day. No work, meant no pay, and that meant no food (or a chance to hit up the pub). This was a thing which was fairly common on jobs like this all over the place, not just Sydney. It only largely went away at some point during at least the 60's (maybe 70's) when workplace reforms and laws meant that it became more cost effective for a business to hire a highly trained staff member full time than it was to yank some rando off the street who would be cheap. So, why bring this all up? Because the name The Hungry Mile was coined after this part of Sydney became a main cargo port area for the city, or at least, became fairly common for the area at least some point during the depression. It was a name which stuck with the area long after things moved away from the old style of ownership for the warehouses that used to be there. Hence when it was clear the space was going to be redeveloped into a new playground for the city, there was calls from different groups who wanted the area named after The Hungry Mile in some manner. The push largely went nowhere, since the new Coalition governmeny of Barry O'Farrell, or at least the minister in charge, refused to even discuss the name. Even then, the name wasn't looking that likely to be the name for the place, but the former Labor government did announce that a section of Hickson Road from the Munn Street overbridge and the Napoleon Street intersection would named in honour of this part of the cities history. However, this, and the old Harbour control tower, seem to have not gone far beyond the announcement stage. Almost as if the rich elites whom wanted to make this space a playground for themselves (aka when the push for higher towers happened, see the episode of Utopia about Kuttabul for a good standin) wanted to keep the unwashed masses out of their private little club house. At least until they had to open the doors.

[@artichokekaleidoscope8471]

Very interesting. Thanks for the background.

[@Punchline42]

As someone who lived on high st before the gov aggressively kicked all of us out we lived there through years of nighttime containers being moved and unloaded. Then when they decided to make it beautiful it left a real sour taste.

[@PINEx2]

must have been pretty sweet getting to live in one of the most expensive suburbs for next to nothing ?

[@aperinich]

Yes well living anywhere is nice until your government evicts you because their developer friends asked them to.

[@galaxyfarrahway]

@@PINEx2 what you dont understand is that for much of its existence this was not an expensive area, just a working port. Many generations of families lived in the area and worked there

[@PINEx2]

@@galaxyfarrahway oh i understand, the area has changed though. for the better.

[@childrensorg856]

​@@PINEx2 for the worst.

[@jerryyan9456]

They are doing the same sort of thign in darling harbour now and over the past few years, but instead of developing a dockyards, they removed a lot of beautiful architecture and spaces made and designed for people from '89. Its being built into a copy of barangaroo and other cbd sites, more repetitive identical, UNSW-style concrete and glass tall buildings of course, built by lendlease. Very little of the original darling harbour plans remains, only thing I can think of is chinese gardens is still here. Removed a totally fine convention centre to replace it with another one, no more imax, monorail, removed old parks to replace with new parks, replaced old fountains with new weird fountains and most recently harbourside to become more apartments. Only thing that survived of course is the star casino

[@PINEx2]

darling harbour is a much nicer place to be with all the new public places and buildings, im not sure what the argument against this is besides you dont like the new buildings style. Plus the imax is re opening in the same spot in the new office building soon.

[@jonathanliondis]

Mate well done, this is maybe your best video yet. Extremely balanced, informative, and engaging the whole way through. Love it!

[@johngore8096]

Couldn't agree more. It is refreshing to watch something which is extremely balanced and well informed. Congratulations!! You have a great future.

[@Hovzlozki]

I like Barangaroo in its current state, I love walking around the reserve down to south Barangaroo, and I can’t wait for central Barangaroo to open! Also just wanted to say I love your videos, they keep getting better one after another and I love learning about the concrete jungle I’ve been living in for the past 5 years

[@aussiejohn5835]

I think this is by far your best video, but I could be biased because I grew up in Balmain and have a special interest in the area. I always loved the ferries of Sydney and would use them as often as I could from a young age. I remember when Sydney was a working port and the sight and smell of oil was sometimes overpowering òn the water. I have watched the slow transformation of the harbour foreshore from a bustling and crowded shipping precinct to what you have shown us in this video. I have been critical about the development of this area and that of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont. I must agree it is far more family-friendly now with the open spaces and fresh clean air. I don't like the height of the buildings, but it is so much nicer than it was, especially seeing it from above.

[@eddaines237]

Well done. One of the most balanced collection of thoughts on Barangaroo out there.

[@cdgh99]

Great video but it would have been nice if you acknowledged the importance of the industrial history. It wasn't bad planning it was an essential piece of infrastructure and provided many jobs for the working class people of the area from the early settlement to the 1990s. Of course industry has now moved on and you acknowledged that. I liked how you acknowledged the lack of affordable housing but i think this could have been more directly linked to its history. Going from a place of working class people to that for the mega rich only. Overall Barangaroo is beautiful but it can't be emphasised enough that 99% of Australians will only ever be visitors and will never afford to live there which is in stark contrast to its history.

[@drewshoto9450]

I love Sydney and I'm so happy that Barangaroo is looking much better compared to that concrete slab . To be honest i love tall skyscrapers but not lots of them in one area though .Tall building's are important for busy growing areas . love your videos .

[@DeaneSueOrgan]

Having visited Barangaroo recently from Adelaide, my wife and I found it great. We stayed at Darling Harbour so access was easy. The open space was most welcome and we enjoyed the magnificent harbour views. However, the prices at eating places gave us a surprise as they are much more than we are used to. We used the toilets at the Crown building and they were excellent. We had lunch at Circular quay instead. But, Barangaroo is fantastic regardless. Well done Sydney.

[@grahamfrench9874]

As usual a top production….in fact one of your best. The reserve is stunning, while the rest I can take it or leave it

[@laurafergs88]

As a Victorian uni student doing a due diligence assignment on Baragaroo, this was a great summary of the development. I visited in 2018 and was surprised by how easy it was to access from Wynyard Station. I had an interview in tower 3 and was blown away by the compact nature of the business precinct and the extensive public open space surrounds. I also found the international towers a little too soulless (but I think that's a function of anything corporate) but that was ameliorated by the small scale urban form of the laneways/food and cafe areas and the easy opening out onto the foreshore promenade and green space. I'm not sure if I'd have reason to go there if I lived in Sydney, but if I worked in the area I would certainly have reason to linger and enjoy the space outside of the 9-5. And I agree that there needs to be a First Nations Cultural presence in Barangaroo.

[@colinlanglo8043]

Thanks for the acknowledgement,👍🖤💛❤️💯

[@shinnaay]

Can’t wait for Barangaroo to become the go-to place to meet up instead of the CBD once the Metro is done! Fantastic video as always!

[@RGC198]

Thanks for sharing this most interesting video. When I was living in Sydney prior to moving in mid 1981, I had never heard of Barangaroo. It is absolutely amazing how far it has progressed since then. It is a pity that the tall skyscrapers and casino were added, as neither were really essential. The parkland certainly looks quite good. The place has definitely improved greatly since the 1960s.

[@rondeez84]

Used to do lunch jogs up and down that concrete slab. Loved watching this unfold from overseas (now live in NZ) and enjoy coming back to see how much the place has changed. Love and appreciate your videos, keep up the awesome work!

[@JosieCote]

As a resident of the Sydney CBD, I absolutely love my weekly walks along the shore and around the Barangaroo reserve. I’m so grateful for what it has become, compared to the unused and ugly space it used to be. I agree with your opinion on every point you mentioned, you were spot on!

[@dmr8914]

I finally walked around Barangaroo a couple of weeks ago. Ok, i'm a Sydneysider.....but i was stunned by what they have achieved. As others say, its such a different space to the rest of the CBD. The walk to the reserve from Wynyard was so easy and the views spectacular. I have to agree with your comments on the buildings but, considering how much public space has been opened up i think the compromise was worth it. The 3 International towers are quite brutal and the residential towers are so close to the casino. Controversially, i like the Crown tower. Its way better than the original design that called for a skeletal shell built out over the harbour itself. It will be better when the trees grow up as i found a lack of usable shade on the very hot day i went.

[@YUSSEB8E]

Great video. I’m from the UK, lived in Oz 14-17 and worked in the Macquarie building , they were building those 3 skyscrapers next to it at the time. I’m actually shocked how they allowed so much of that development ( which there is loads of) go that high!! Completely takes views of harbour away for many. That Crown building is nice but man that’s some corruption right there ey?

[@alimfuzzy]

I always take whatever clover Moore says with a grain of salt... she is a mouth piece for her ultra rich friends. remember, she paid $1M for an art piece that no one could see and then was demolished a month later.

[@woohooboy]

As a Sydney sider, Banagaroo is "mostly" good. The majority of it is well designed and is quite pleasing to visit with open public spaces, restaurants and shops. It's modern, clean, spacious and overall an enjoyable place The downside unfortunately is the Crown tower which is not only grossly oversized but hugely overpriced to the point that most people can't afford to go there. It literally stands as monument of corporate interest and greed. A much smaller version of it would have been acceptable but not the final result we ended up with.

[@Slick01703]

Great video! You’re so informative, yet so entertaining at the same time!

[@Michael-yb2uk]

Great vid! Very informative and great shots of the area. I'm so exited to see you grow

[@jourdaintennent5915]

I have to say working at Barangaroo it has been quiet the turn around from where it was 10 years ago. The headland is even that nice I proposed to my fiancé in the park. Gets my tick of approval.

[@rararasputin4917]

If the government creates more urban renewal hubs like this in the outer Sydney areas, it’d be an absolute dream *more of the original proposal laid out

[@debbieoconnor7054]

Great video. We used to live in Sydney for many years. Left before the big project around Barangaroo, It's been great to see how it has turned out. We are new subscribers and look forward to watching your other videos. You do an excellent job.

[@TheManwithafan]

Goddamn I love your vids man, they're so full of rich information delivered so smoothly. Keep it up!!

[@lori8501]

It’s good to see many here embrace Barangaroo. I’ve haven’t seen the area yet as I am from Melbourne but will visit in 2 months. This video interested me as I draw parallels to a controversial plan for our Preston Market here in the North of Melbourne to be redeveloped. The community (brainwashed by the Socialists in the area) and Govt is very against the new plans proposed by the owner for all reasons mentioned in this video: too higher buildings, not enough public free spaces in their view, against “luxury” residential living when they want social housing on the land, fear of retail or too many restaurants, against modern design (because everyone’s an expert). They are so hell bent on retaining the current structure, not caring about the Traders who are the heart and soul. It’s all about the building and the public spaces. Mind you, it’s a shed. But another time for that mess that’s been dragging on for years. Yet judging by this, when all is said and done and it’s open to the public, you have welcomed it for the most part into your city bringing a positive economical and environmental impact. There will always be people who disagree but looks like it seems to be enjoyed by many. I’ll judge for myself when I visit. The social justice warriors out there complain when things are expensive yet demand Sustainability Initiatives of businesses and projects. Anything with that label is EXPENSIVE, the money has to come from somewhere.

[@galaxyfarrahway]

and they could have done it without kicking out an entire community of people. My aunt was kicked out of her home in High st aged 80 and it killed her.

[@PINEx2]

Those houses were not a part of the redevelopment. As a responsible government it is their job to reallocate assets and funds for the greater good. It is not feasible to house people in multi million dollar inner city houses when there are people crying out for affordable housing all over the city.

[@galaxyfarrahway]

@@PINEx2 you are absolutely, unequivocally incorrect.

[@Nebs1]

I don’t live in Sydney but I remember randomly going to this area back in 2009. I thought it was a weird location so it’s good to finally found out it’s history.

[@electro_sykes]

Barangaroo is quickly Transforming. I believe that one day, it will be an important Transit interchange between the Ferries, Buses and the Metro just like how Circular Quay is an important interchange between the city the circle and the Ferries & Light Rail.

[@ShDog78]

I used to live in Sydney from 2010 to 2014 and recently came here again and I need to say I am very impressed with what they turned the barangaroo into. This is I would say the coziest spot in Sydney now. Well done!

[@chickenfrisbee]

great video! informative and balanced and incredibly well researched. I bought one of your train metro maps , cant wait to hang it up at home :))

[@Divadosaurus]

Dude, you sound like a real estate agent. "Breathtaking" "Beautiful" "Visually stunning" "Grand upcoming station". I mean, it's nice, but it's not nirvana. In terms of parks, I'd much rather spend time in the Botanic Gardens, although with the metro station, accessibility is a plus. Saying all that, I like Barangaroo for the most part. I have two main criticisms. Firstly, Crown Tower (which I'll refer to as Packer's Pecker), whilst being attractive, is too damn close to the water. The taller the building, the further set back they should be, otherwise the shoreline becomes crowded. This building and the ribbon at end of Darling Harbour really loom large over the promenade. The other tall buildings I kinda like, with good use of colour on the buildings, including the International Towers, where the red and yellow dividers add much needed colour and interest to the skyline. The second criticism is the overtly corrupt process and scope-creep that was played out on nightly television, yet people didn't seem to give a toss. Packer's Pecker is a symbol for greed and corruption. I'm not sure I'd agree that building port facilities in Sydney was "questionable and short sighted" during this time. I mean it was a flat piece of concrete - pretty much the epitome of use it now and we won't have to knock down much later to repurpose it. The first of two Port Botany container freight terminal was only completed in 1979, as was the bulk liquid terminal. Darling Harbour freight yard was still operating at this time, so it probably made sense to use this area until proper container terminals were built elsewhere, along with the new infrastructure to move that freight. (edit) Oh, and another criticism, is the missed opportunity for bike infrastructure.

[@daveg2104]

At least 1 of the original proposals for the building that became Packer's Pecker was going to be ON the harbour, you can't get more waterfront than that. As for the other tall buildings, I don't mind them. It is still the CBD, with good access to Wynyard and soon the Metro. And the 3 Sisters (International Towers) have been there long enough that people probably don't even think about them. The only issue I have heard about is a wind tunnel effect, probably not too bad in summer, but not nice in winter. More people might take issue with the towers that are going to be built as part of the Darling Harbour redevelopment. Certainly there is a group in Sydney that seem to take issue with just about any development.

[@dexterplameras3249]

Your seeing historical reasons for development through the lens of modern eyes. Sydney's population between 1960s-1990s wanted to live in suburbs with a 1/2 acre blocks because it was cheap. No one wanted to live in Darling Harbour or Barangaroo because no one wanted to live in apartments and it was working dock. It was only with the advent of Seinfeld were people saw New Yorkers living in apartments and mass migration from Southeast Asia, starting with the transfer of Hong Kong back to China that appartments started to pop up in Business Centers. The city was just for work and for going out on weekends and nights. People hardly ate out most people brought lunch from home, made by wives/mothers. This was before women entered the workforce. Unlike today, there were few food courts, very few cafes, few restaurants which were only for special occasions for mostly the nights and weekends. Today most people buy lunch instead of making it. In the 90s cafes, restaurants eateries started to spring up everywhere, everyone started buying lunches, many started to go out after work, more people started living in apartments.

[@thedude9024]

Love the Millers Point/Barangaroo area of Sydney. The rolling hills and inclines, stairwells and small pubs and beautiful HOUSES! The Gazebo outside the Observatory is also a nice spot to get photos of the Harbour Bridge. If I had the $ I would happily live there.

[@thechief9209]

meanwhile in western Sydney ,20yrs later , still waiting for a footpath to the train station!! LOL

[@Skybar23]

I really need to get out to this area one day and have a look. I always drive pass it heading over the bridge but had no idea so much development had been completed in front of the towers

[@J3553_X]

I agree with your summary. I was there a few days ago, and it really is the best place in the city to visit nowadays.

[@mastersingleton]

Now the only place missing a planned Metro Station is East Circular Quay to make it easier to access the Sydney Opera House.

[@metricstormtrooper]

When I first worked at pyrmont starting on the 13th of September 1976 all the way from Glebe point all the way around Rozelle bay to CSR at Pyrmont Point then past the Pyrmont power station and to the darling harbour freight rail yards then on to paddy's markets and a plethora of little workshops up York street then down Hickson road all the way to pier one was all either manufacturing or freight related, so that huge concrete wasn't out of place. Pyrmont, Haymarket and glebe point were far more vibrant if only from the sheer number of workers streaming I each weekday. 😊

[@dylannelson94]

Never realised the Barangaroo plans went back to the mid 2000s! Great video as always!

[@aperinich]

did you think they just decided after the fact, whilst building?

[@tacitdionysus3220]

Barangaroo herself would probably think the reserve vaguely reminded her of everything she loved, and the rest would confirm everything she feared. I would be happy if the reserve, the metro and the central area retain her name; but let's call the towered area something else. The multiple towers of babel represent all the worst things about our imported ostentation. I hope the architecture of Bradfield and its environs reflects the spirit of more authentic people who are genuinely at home with where they call home.

[@neeleshparavastu8464]

This channel feeds my soul ❤❤

[@nolesy34]

I like it

[@Avatar711Wizard]

Oh wow. This is quite possibly your best work yet dear brother. Absolutely brilliant.

[@jack2453]

I weep because when you say it is Sydney's most successful urban renewal project, you are probably right.

[@castcrus]

Many thanks for video! This type of content is ideal for people like us who's new to the city. Much appreciated!

[@ChrisTopher_Urbanism]

I'm a huge fan of Barangaroo - Marrinawi cove in particular is such a great spot and deserved a mention in this video for sure! I don't even mind the height of the crown casino. I just mind that it is a casino (we have enough gambling problems in NSW already), and that the building is designed in such a weirdly phallic way. The lower floors jut out like a scrotum, the white vertical beams at the bottom are like greying pubic hairs, and even the crown logo at the top, yellow and fountain-shaped, seems to symbolise James Packer pissing all over us. Surely I'm not the only one who sees this. How was this design approved?? What sicko came up with this??? These are the questions that keep me up up at night

[@CSM393]

Love walking around here during my lunch break. I was a sceptic at first, and sure, it’s not perfect, but the sandstone and plants make it worth the walk. The reserve is wonderful. And you can swim now.

[@spaceengineer1452]

I've lived in Millers Point since 2018. This was v interesting, thanks. Especially that giant cement block, now a grass and trees covered hill ! Gotta say, kinda empty feeling in Millers Point and surrounds.

[@paulchrystie5460]

nioce place shame about the corruption.. could have been so much more.... thanks "bottle of wine" Barry

[@robertprivate2139]

Excellent well done. Keep reporting May be some documentaries Great clear enthusiasm All the very best.😊

[@dampy9898]

another great video man !

[@marcp108]

I remember volunteering at Sydney Open years ago. It was just sign boards with photos and the ground was marked out ( in the proposed design) with chalk. What a long this area has come!

[@AugustEternity]

Great video! You should get yourself into town planning and make some suggestions! 😊 Keep up the awesome videos!

[@Michael_Chater]

This was a great video

[@handyandyaus]

Sharath - your videos are great. To call what has resulted at Barangaroo an urban oasis is a travesty. It could and should have been so much more than what we are now stuck with.

[@daveacbickford]

Another spectacular video mate, well done, keep it up!!

[@Roddles]

You should look at the new fish markets / bank street proposal as it kind of matches

[@istp1967]

I like everything; except those four hideous skyscraper monstrosities - they're an eyesore!!

[@rc70ys]

Great Video Mate 😊

[@jimmeng2802]

Thank you the video, we walked from circular Quay to darling Harbour via Barangaroo many times, it's super cool. Looking forward to seeing new fish market and the redevelopment of the current fish market site

[@redhead3199]

Spirit of Tasmania used to dock there.

[@maxmelser35]

It's towers are bland, it's public space is compromised. The casino breaks the flow of the foreshore and truncates the foreshore in a way no urban planner would ever do - it's not sound public space design, just driven by profit. The fact is we shouldn't just be happy with the scraps the politicians and developers leave to us, this was supposed to be a great new 'connected' public foreshore, the headland (one of the few elements left from the original scheme) is great but disconnected from the city proper due to the casino and the rest is a congested mess.

[@sarcasmo57]

Yup, it looks pretty nice.

[@SOBIESKI_freedom]

Great video. Really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.

[@sethtan715]

In my opinion, Barangaroo is kind of like a Gardens by the Bay in Sydney, sort of

[@markthemelon]

Great video thank you! I was just wondering about this the other day

[@thisnameisok]

Koziol's summary is correct- everyone was happy to trade a concrete apron for some greenery and some restaurants.. The criticism is the the wasted opportunity and relatively bad deal the government got on behalf of the people. The difference between public good and restaurants (though we love those as well) is actually the developer/landlord and rental extraction portion... If you're going to be a free market don't allow the politicians to tip your the scales in favour of their mates over lunch... And cmon with the chicken wings!!! You bought the absolute cheapest ticket for the ride (3 chicken wings no alcohol probably for $20) - but its a stretch to say that somehow makes it accessible.. Imagine another universe where food stalls/restaurant space there is rent controlled which in turn should allow vendors to compete and lower their costs as their rent will be less.. "public good"

[@badllama4554]

Is there any social housing or requirement to pay for some elsewhere? Those residential apartments are getting a pretty major price hike from location/accessibility. Hope they aren't just money laundering sites for oligarchs.

[@nevetsgg]

Pre-COVID I would eat lunch in Barangaroo reserve at least once a week. It is good to see that the trees are more established now as the shade was a bit lacking.

[@clawscrab3497]

As nice as some parts of it is, it became nothing but a rich person's playground. Well they can have their mindnumbing and soul less Casino and their expensive food, and their expensive goods made in China which are no different to anything the rest us could buy at any department store. I'll go there for the view, the historical aspect, and for the walk, and of course to check out the metro station someday.

[@lbc0823]

Great video mate. Keep it up ! 👍👍

[@ivomac416]

great presentation,a Hbr -pool/beach complex with cheap food outlet,for familys,would top it off

[@aerienix]

Where do we put the Sydney Shatterdome now? 🤔

[@FallOfTheLiving]

Elders either are past or present there is no emerging. They will be elders if they ever become one but until then they are not elders

[@StephenJohnson-jb7xe]

I recently stayed at the Crown Tower and looking up at it from the pool was quite stunning. As I was scanning upwards I reached a point where I thought "wow it's really tall" but I kept looking upwards and realized I was only half way up. It is really very imposing although I am not a big fan of it's design. Having said that I feel that a lot of the towers that have gone up over the last few decades in the CBD are just as bad or worse.

[@CYBER-EV]

So pack some sandwiches when heading to Barangaroo.....lol. It looks so good these days, same as Darling Harbor .

[@Christopher8827]

I think those skyscrapers are so ugly next to the harbour. They should have built way back from the shoreline. The towers look cool from a distance, but up close - they are a massive monolithic monstrosity that blocks out sunlight and makes the alleyways feel sterile. Barangaroo is windy AF and is pretty bland.

[@macfin4862]

I love that Paul Keating spoke out in favour of Barangaroo and didn't mind standing next to Dom Perrotet. It's a great space

[@247Coby]

Driving down the main street of Barangaroo with all those pedestrian crossings.. arrggh!

[@JeromezBoi]

the skylines nice

[@MrOutofcontrolvideos]

Barangaroo is brilliant. Other than the casino I don't understand the critisim. Without the office towers would the place be as alive on a weekday? And the cost of the restraunts, really? The majority of those eating in Barangaroo are either tourists or having a day out in the CBD, they aren't looking for a cheap burger you'd find at a local fish and chip shop in the subrubs.

[@lovelyhurlin6494]

Nearly all the spoil beneath the concrete slab was contaminated with asbestos and other toxic chemicals. That was there way of disposal up untill the last 30 or so.

[@daveg2104]

The main issue was the old gas works. That's what all those big "tents" and treatment plant was about. It certainly took a while to decontaminate.

[@HappyDays-nk7iq]

Instead of building more non-descript concrete and glass boxes for Barangaroo Central, Sydney should build modern terraces, 2-storey tall maximum, to be sympathetic to the terraces in near-by Millers Point and The Rocks. Basically restoring the terraces in The Rocks that were destroyed to make way for the Harbour Bridge. Like the beautiful terrace restoration in Kensington Street in Chippendale or build terraces like the beautiful terraces on William Street in Paddington, but a modern version, connected by many little pedestrian only narrow lane-ways like in Covent Garden in London. Build something in Barangaroo Central that has a historic Sydney character rather than something that looks like it belongs in Las Vegas, Dubai, Singapore or worse still a suburban Sydney shopping mall…..

[@Hongaars1969]

Disclaimer - I haven’t lived in or returned to Sydney since Jan 2020…Observations - never shall it be possible to simultaneously please, or appease the entire populace all the time…useful terminology thus becomes “acceptable, reasonable, good enough” whilst acknowledging whatever shortcomings are glaringly evident (height of towers, long shadows, wind tunnels)…Overall Assessment - segment well presented in a fair and objective manner…Potential solutions for future projects - sensitively acknowledge the cultural and ancestral heritage, public consultations utilising a quantitative analysis of the results, balancing the outcome of the findings of the results of the surveys with the requirements of the area being redeveloped and accepting that the politicians, private investors and the planners are never going to be perfect and that invariably, all these projects are going to cost billions and that all people involved need to get paid at the end of the day. From afar, the redevelopment appears to me to be “good enough”. Thank you

[@weddingphotocinema2001]

Very surprising information, it will bring more local and international tourists to area when metro is open 2024

[@sufiyan04]

After every one second, the guy says , beautifullllll 😮bit off putting beautifulllllllllllllly

[@TheAlexantube]

I really don’t understand why tall towers is considered a negative - they add to our skyline and generally look good.

[@decepticons_destroy]

I agree. Yes green space is definitely pretty and nice to have but this is the CBD where skyscrapers are meant to be, not suburbs. The cbd is already so tiny comparing to other world cities so you need to build up. My criticism is that Sydney skyscrapers are very boring looking with glass panels from top to bottom. Melbourne is getting a 356m beautiful green skyscraper that will be Australia’s tallest, and what we get is a 271m glassed casino. This city just keeps getting outclassed by Melbourne so it’s no wonder everyone is moving out of Sydney.

[@xr6lad]

Yes because there not a million of them across the world that are ugly and poorly designed.

[@-PORK-CHOP-]

@@decepticons_destroy Sydney has a height restrictions on buildings of 235m in the CBD, these restrictions are currently under review, with an expected 335m height to be accepted, Sydney being outclassed by Melbourne constantly, your kidding, they have a dirty brown river, high crime rate, shit weather, most locked down city in the world, nazi gov't all they have is good coffee shops, everyone moving out of Sydney, think you need to put down your bong.

[@themickcollo]

@@decepticons_destroy not sure what you are on about 1 barangaroo & Quay Quarter tower both in Sydney won best Skyscraper in the world 2 years running.

[@ettaxi1082]

@themickcollo Yes, 1 Barangaroo is a pretty building, BUT, IT'S IN THE WRONG SPOT, FOR THE WRONG REASONS!!!!

[@nightowldickson]

The area is nice but they've underachieved I think. It's just nice but it could have been special. It needed something other than a casino, or a stadium (excuse my sarcasm) to make the precinct special. Ideally something cultural. Your analysis is spot on 23:16 - Clover Moore got all those bike paths installed in the CBD, is that for the public good? It's only good for people who cycle to work!

[@nolesy34]

What about a bunch if nightclubs.. it worked in ibiza why not have our own nightlife instead of everyone paying to fly to amsterdam and no im not getting bum jammed in oxford st