As busy as the Sydney CBD is...
As iconic as Bondi Beach is...
As tasty as Surry Hills is...
As good a drink as Darlinghurst is...
As fun to explore as Newtown is...
The harbour is quintessential Sydney.
And yesterday quintessential Sydney was at its best. Blue sky, sunshine and delightful winter temps.
DOUBLE BAY
Population: 4,687
Area: 0.81 sq km
Density: 5,786 / sq km
Double Bay. At its peak, arguably Sydney's prettiest and most sophisticated harbourside suburb. This was THE PLACE to be seen in Sydney. The Ritz Carlton Hotel played host to a revolving door of A List celebrities - Princess Diana, Bill Clinton, Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi et al. Bob Hawke lived at the hotel for two years and married Blanche D'Alpuget there in 1995. And of course it is where Michael Hutchence committed suicide in 1997. Stamford Plaza took over as the hotel operator in 2001.
The nearby Village Twin Cinema (later known as Greater Union Double Bay) was frequented by the likes of Keanu Reeves, Ewan McGregor and Sam Neil.
However for the better part of a decade, Double Bay has suffered from the opening of Westfield Bondi Junction (in 2003), the subsequent closure of retail boutiques, the loss of Greater Union (in 2004) and ultimately the closure of the Stamford Plaza (in 2009).
Today, it is quite a bizarre experience to walk past the old Stamford Plaza. It has to be one of the biggest abandoned buildings in Sydney. Media outlets report that ''the hotel has become a bone of contention for locals, known as a venue for all-night dance parties, prostitution rackets and even Russian cabaret dinners.*'' All seems rather contradictory for a suburb dubbed 'Double Pay.'
But it seems things are on the up again in Double Bay. Despite a subdued retail environment, Double Bay has welcomed boutiques by Australian designers Little Joe and Scanlan + Theodore. In addition, Hollie de Keyser opened her second boutique in Double Bay. Her first? In Knightsbridge, London.
Popular cafe chain Le Pain Quotidien opened its first non-mall venue at the end of 2012, new bars/restaurants in Mrs Sippy and Pelicano have opened and Darlinghurst's one hatter - Fish Face - is relocating and due to open in Spring.
But the biggest shot in the arm so far for Double Bay will be the reopening of the old Stamford Plaza in Summer as Australia's fifth Intercontinental Hotel. The whole building will be refurbished, from the 140 guest rooms to the rooftop pool, the Grand Ballroom to the F&B options.
* http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/cele...#ixzz2aJD8f7rR
Here are some photos from my last two visits to Double Bay;
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The quaint cotteges of Transvaal Avenue play host to a number of retailers, most notably Australia's only Marni store and high end consignment store, Belinda.
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Midrise painted concrete apartments. A hallmark of Double Bay.
![]()
Treelined Bay Street. Links New South Head Road with the Double Bay Ferry Wharf.
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The abandoned Stamford Plaza. Due to reopen in Summer as the Intercontinental.
![]()
Cross Street has a high retail vacancy rate due to the abandoned Stamford Plaza. It will be interesting to see how business picks up with the reopening of the hotel.
![]()
High end international brands in Double Bay include Max & Co as well as MaxMara, Marina Rinaldi, Basler, Wolford and Australia's only Gerry Weber, Marc Cain and Marni stores.
![]()
On New South Head Road, Woollahra Council has joined forces with Woolworths to deliver the Kiaora Lands Development. Due for completion in Spring 2014, it will include a rebuilt Woolworths supermarket as well as a Thomas Dux grocer, three storey library and commercial and retail tenancies.
![]()
Looking up Bay Street
![]()
Live music on Saturdays, a good initiative by the Double Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Oak Hotel
![]()
Marc Cain boutique
![]()
Gerry Weber boutique
![]()
Tired commercial buildings present redevelopment opportunities in the medium term
![]()
Where the suburb meets the harbour. Point Piper right of picture.
As iconic as Bondi Beach is...
As tasty as Surry Hills is...
As good a drink as Darlinghurst is...
As fun to explore as Newtown is...
The harbour is quintessential Sydney.
And yesterday quintessential Sydney was at its best. Blue sky, sunshine and delightful winter temps.
DOUBLE BAY
Population: 4,687
Area: 0.81 sq km
Density: 5,786 / sq km
Double Bay. At its peak, arguably Sydney's prettiest and most sophisticated harbourside suburb. This was THE PLACE to be seen in Sydney. The Ritz Carlton Hotel played host to a revolving door of A List celebrities - Princess Diana, Bill Clinton, Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi et al. Bob Hawke lived at the hotel for two years and married Blanche D'Alpuget there in 1995. And of course it is where Michael Hutchence committed suicide in 1997. Stamford Plaza took over as the hotel operator in 2001.
The nearby Village Twin Cinema (later known as Greater Union Double Bay) was frequented by the likes of Keanu Reeves, Ewan McGregor and Sam Neil.
However for the better part of a decade, Double Bay has suffered from the opening of Westfield Bondi Junction (in 2003), the subsequent closure of retail boutiques, the loss of Greater Union (in 2004) and ultimately the closure of the Stamford Plaza (in 2009).
Today, it is quite a bizarre experience to walk past the old Stamford Plaza. It has to be one of the biggest abandoned buildings in Sydney. Media outlets report that ''the hotel has become a bone of contention for locals, known as a venue for all-night dance parties, prostitution rackets and even Russian cabaret dinners.*'' All seems rather contradictory for a suburb dubbed 'Double Pay.'
But it seems things are on the up again in Double Bay. Despite a subdued retail environment, Double Bay has welcomed boutiques by Australian designers Little Joe and Scanlan + Theodore. In addition, Hollie de Keyser opened her second boutique in Double Bay. Her first? In Knightsbridge, London.
Popular cafe chain Le Pain Quotidien opened its first non-mall venue at the end of 2012, new bars/restaurants in Mrs Sippy and Pelicano have opened and Darlinghurst's one hatter - Fish Face - is relocating and due to open in Spring.
But the biggest shot in the arm so far for Double Bay will be the reopening of the old Stamford Plaza in Summer as Australia's fifth Intercontinental Hotel. The whole building will be refurbished, from the 140 guest rooms to the rooftop pool, the Grand Ballroom to the F&B options.
* http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/cele...#ixzz2aJD8f7rR
Here are some photos from my last two visits to Double Bay;
The quaint cotteges of Transvaal Avenue play host to a number of retailers, most notably Australia's only Marni store and high end consignment store, Belinda.
Midrise painted concrete apartments. A hallmark of Double Bay.
Treelined Bay Street. Links New South Head Road with the Double Bay Ferry Wharf.
The abandoned Stamford Plaza. Due to reopen in Summer as the Intercontinental.
Cross Street has a high retail vacancy rate due to the abandoned Stamford Plaza. It will be interesting to see how business picks up with the reopening of the hotel.
High end international brands in Double Bay include Max & Co as well as MaxMara, Marina Rinaldi, Basler, Wolford and Australia's only Gerry Weber, Marc Cain and Marni stores.
On New South Head Road, Woollahra Council has joined forces with Woolworths to deliver the Kiaora Lands Development. Due for completion in Spring 2014, it will include a rebuilt Woolworths supermarket as well as a Thomas Dux grocer, three storey library and commercial and retail tenancies.
Looking up Bay Street
Live music on Saturdays, a good initiative by the Double Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Oak Hotel
Marc Cain boutique
Gerry Weber boutique
Tired commercial buildings present redevelopment opportunities in the medium term
Where the suburb meets the harbour. Point Piper right of picture.