The newly formed Potts Point Preservation Group aims to be a cohesive, balanced and effective voice for all those who live and work in Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay
We are all locals and have no political bias or agenda. We are not against progress or change, but it should be appropriate and support the special attributes of the community.
The PPPG wants:
- greater recognition of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay & Rushcutters Bay as a special living and historical community requiring specific protection and preservation.
- to maintain housing stock, preserve affordable housing (particularly studios and one-bedroom apartments) and retain the broad diversity of our residents;
- to raise the profile of the area so that it can be seen as a landmark heritage and socially significant locality and promoted as an important destination for Sydneysiders and tourists;
- to advocate for proper heritage protection for 20th century architecture, particularly Art Deco and Modernist buildings in the Potts Point / Elizabeth Bay Area.
- to assist State, City Council and property owners in effecting the regeneration of Kings Cross.
Latest News
The Chimes – URGENT NOTICE
News 14.04.2025
A ’fast track’ development application submitted to the NSW Department of Planning bypasses the local council (City of Sydney) and proposes to demolish 80 relatively affordable studios apartments in The Chimes and replace them with 34 apartments. 25 will be 3-bedroom luxury dwellings; only 9 will affordable housing, and then only for 15 years. The developer wants to build a 50.05-metre-high building and stands to make a windfall on the 9 ‘affordable’ apartments after 15 years when the properties can go back to be rented or sold on the open market.
Submit your concerns by lodging a submission by Tuesday 29th April 2025
The Chimes – TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
News 23.04.2025
When the PPPG met with the Lord Mayor in 2023 we alerted them to the fact that all post- WW2 buildings in our precinct (including five by Harry Seidler) were all designated as ‘DETRACTING’ from the heritage and aesthetic qualities of the neighbourhood and the heritage conservation area. We also indicated that developers were using this designation as justification in their DA’s for demolishing these buildings. After initially disputing this the Lord Mayor accepted that the City had been deficient in their assessment of Modernist post-war buildings in our area and would take steps to resolve this.
Submit your concerns by lodging a submission by Tuesday 29th April 2025
Community Forum Wrap
News 19.11.2024
On Thursday night nearly 200 locals crammed into the Rex Centre for the PPPG’s community forum, the group’s first public event since its inception in 2023. There was an almost unanimous affirmation, both from the guest speakers and the audience, of the PPPG achievements thus far and its stated goal of recognition and protection of the unique nature of the Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay precinct.
Community Survey Results
News 21.11.2024
The Potts Point Preservation Group conducted a comprehensive survey in October – November 2024 aimed at residents in the Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay precinct.
The objectives of the of the survey were:
- To gauge the importance of preserving the neighbourhood’s character
- To assess support for PPPG’s advocacy efforts
- To understand community views on inclusivity, housing, and heritage conservation
- To gather feedback on potential regeneration projects and community engagement
Metro-Minerva Saved
News 24.07.2024
Local resident Gretel Packer has purchased the Metro-Minerva Theatre which encourages the community and the arts world that Sydney will get its much needed 1000 seat live theatre. This philanthropic gesture also ensures that a wonderful piece of Sydney’s Art Deco architecture is preserved along with its links to the history of theatre in NSW. The prospect of a functioning theatre in Potts Point indicates a rejuvenation of the Cross that will bring people to the area for the cosmopolitan lifestyle that is the true hallmark of the area.
One of the reasons cited by Central Elements for their decision to forego the DA to build a hotel over the Metro and to now sell the property, was the strong resistance from the community. We can all take some measure of pride in having contributed to saving a State heritage listed building that should have been better protected by the State and the City.
Domain – Neighbourhoods
News 01.02.2025
Getting Housing Right Forum
News 12.08.2024
At last week’s ‘Getting Housing Right. Why it matters?’ forum held at Parliament House, our Chairperson Dr. Peter Sheridan spoke on Heritage and Affordable Housing. This Parliamentary Forum was held to elevate the discussion and highlight the concerns of the one-size fits all developer driven rezoning changes. To unpack the housing crisis without the spin.
Other speakers included:
Dr Elizabeth Farrelly – Well-known Writer, Columnist and Architect
Michael Pascoe – Finance & Economic Commentator
Saul Deane – Urban Sustainability Jarrad Campaner
Sharon Veale – CEO & Partner GML Heritage
The Hon. Scott Farlow MLC – Shadow Planning Minister
National Trust Article
News 07.02.2025
Our Chairman, Dr Peter Sheridan, has an article in the latest edition of the National Trust publication.
The reader is taken on a tour of the architectural masterpieces of Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay and Elizabeth Bay. Many of which will soon be added to the National Trust Register.
Includes: Macleay Regis, Metro/Minerva Theatre, 17 Wylde Street and Aquarius.
New South Wales Government Policy Released
News 27.02.2025
Metro/Minerva Theatre News Update
News 25.03.2025
Local philanthropist Gretel Packer has confirmed that the Metro/Minerva Theatre will be returned to a live theatre and revert to its original name – the Minerva Theatre.
This will be a major project in the neighbourhood and the benefits to the community are significant. The new Minerva Theatre will provide a mid-size theatre desperately needed in our city. Reinvigorating the Potts Point/Kings Cross area as an entertainment hub and additionally bring people into the area who will want to go to restaurants and bars.
What’s Special About The Area?
The tiny 1sq km enclave of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay & Rushcutters Bay is a pedestrian friendly area with beautiful 19th and 20th century heritage architecture, top-ranking restaurants, coffee shops, markets and boutiques, as well as tree-lined streets, parks and a harbour setting. It is a self-contained community with a varied but cohesive demographic.
For a hundred years it has held the mantle of the densest population in Australia with 98% of residents living in apartments, yet without modern high-rise buildings. The area has a fascinating social and cultural record since the early 1800s up to today that is an integral part of its charm and appeal.
The cluster of 75 Art Deco apartment blocks, plus the streamlined Minerva Theatre and the glorious house ‘Boomerang’ (all from the late 1920s to the 1940s) make the area comparable to Napier in New Zealand and Miami South Beach in Florida, USA. Add to this 9 colonial mansions and rows of imposing Victorian terraces from the 1800s, as well as 30 Modernist apartment blocks from the 1960s (including five by Harry Seidler) and the area becomes an extraordinary heritage resource.
All of this makes Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay & Rushcutters Bay a unique living heritage precinct in metropolitan Sydney. The area should be preserved and protected from unnecessary redevelopment and promoted as a national treasure.
Things We Want To Achieve
01 A voice for the residents
02 New urban plan – Creating a heritage precinct
03 Maintain housing stock, affordability and diversity
04 Raise Profile of the area as a tourist destination
05 Heritage protection for our significant 20th century architecture
06 Foster high-rise redevelopment of Kings Cross
SOCIAL IMPACT OF RECENT REDEVELOPMENTS
LOSS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The lack of protection for 20th century building is contributing to unnecessary redevelopment in the area, with the almost complete loss of purchase or rental of affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments.
The Area
The Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay area is an important template for high density, low-rise neighbourhood in Sydney. The Art Deco (1930-1940) and Modernist (1960-1970) apartment blocks that fill this area contain a special reservoir of studio and one-bedroom apartments that offer affordable accommodation close to the city. They also are vital in maintaining the diversity of residents, which is one of the unique hallmarks of this precinct
High density with no high rise
The Issue
Protection for 20th century buildings is either inadequate or absent. An increasing number of apartment buildings are currently under unnecessary threat of demolition, with all recent contemporary developments reducing the number of apartments and having no studios or one-bedroom apartments available for rental or purchase. This is forcing long-term resident out of the area and changing the broad demographic balance of the community.
Losing housing stock & diversity
A Net Loss Of 101 Apartments
Current or proposed projects as of February 2024
| Address | Original no. of apartments | Projected apartments | No. of studio or 1br apartments | Reduction in apartments |
| CHIMES 45-53 Macleay Street, Potts Point | 80 | 31 | 0 | 61% |
| 51-57 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay | 35 | 12 | 0 | 66% |
13A & 11A Wylde St Potts Point
| 20 | 5 | 0 | 75% |
| 29 Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay | 32 | 9 | 0 | 71% |
| 1 Onslow Place, Elizabeth Bay | 12 | 6 | 0 | 50% |
| 10 Onslow Ave & 21C Billyard Ave, Elizabeth Bay | 30 | 22 | 0 | 26% |
45-53 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Original No. of Apartments: 80
Projected Number of Apartments: 22
No. of Studio & 1 Bedroom Apartments: 0
Reduction in Apartments: 61%
11A & 13A Wylde Street, Potts Point
Original No. of Apartments: 20
Projected Number of Apartments: 5
No. of Studio & 1 Bedroom Apartments: 0
Reduction in Apartments: 75%
29 Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay
Original No. of Apartments: 32
Projected Number of Apartments: 9
No. of Studio & 1 Bedroom Apartments: 0
Reduction in Apartments: 71%
1 Onslow Place, Elizabeth Bay
Original No. of Apartments: 12
Projected Number of Apartments: 6
No. of Studio & 1 Bedroom Apartments: 0
Reduction in Apartments: 50%
10 Onslow Ave & 21C Billyard Ave, Elizabeth Bay
Original No. of Apartments: 30
Projected Number of Apartments: 22
No. of Studio & 1 Bedroom Apartments: 0
Reduction in Apartments: 26%
Current Status of Metro – see News for update
Central Elements have decided not to proceed with the hotel on the Metro site.
One assumes they will try to sell the Metro with the current DA but that may not be attractive to a potential buyer given Central Elements did not proceed and their ‘change of direction’ reasoning seems flimsy.
The stay of execution is not any guarantee that the Metro is saved. It is, however, a further opportunity for the community to pressure the State Government and the City of Sydney to purchase the Metro with a view to it being restored and then used as a live theatre.
The importance of this theatre from an architectural and social history standpoint are unassailable. The Metro is one of only 12 remaining Art Deco theatres in Sydney and one of only two State heritage listed. It is considered the best example of streamlined functionalist Art Deco styling in NSW and the architects involved are a whose who of the best of the period (Bruce Dellit, Crick & Furse, ?). It has a wonderful story of being an integral part of live theatre and movies in Sydney from 1938 to the 1980’s and an important feature in the history of Kings Cross as Sydney’s art and entertainment centre. Although the building is individually highly significant it is also a vital commercial component of the residential Art Deco hub that is the special feature of Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay.
The arguments for encouraging the State and the City to collaborate in purchasing the Metro and funding the reinstatement of the building cannot be justified on heritage grounds alone. Additionally, there must also be a feasible and commercial strategy that amortises the major initial costs over time by the Metro contributing in a special way to Sydney’s arts scene and being a medium for a new night-time economy in the Kings Cross area. This project can then be justified as responsible stewardship of NSW and Sydney’s economy, life-style and heritage.
It might be argued that a theatre such as the Metro is perhaps a better investment than a sports stadium. Not just for the income generated but for the incidental impact on the neighbourhood. We need to make our politicians and bureaucrats rethink their strategies for preservation and protection and in particular 20th century architecture. In the particular case of the Metro, it should not only be conserved but have its core function reinstated.
Dedicated to preserving the vibrant and accessible neighbourhood of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, and King Cross which uniquely embraces the architectural and societal history of Sydney.