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This is a wonderful building. It has excellent security, classy facilities, stunning presentation and the best location. It is on the busiest intersection in the city but the sound proofing is the best anywhere. It was promoted as having a vertical village: that turned out to mean not much. The retail section flopped and is flopping further. Now that the redevelopment of the Woolworth's site has been abandoned, that is not too much of a problem. Sure there are a few people making a lot of decisions but almost no-one bothers to go to the Strata meetings so what do you expect? Let's hope they don't totally wreck the concept Foster envisaged. Otherwise...it is an A1 building. It beats all those buildings down the end of Kent Street hands down.
04/06/2010
Other
2008 - 2010 Rating...
I live here. The problem with the KFC smell has NOT been solved. At one stage Frasers and the City of Sydney were chasing KFC but they were outfoxed. They gave up. The building is so big that the Srta groups are completely ineffective and Frasers run the whole show. There is no $ in chasing KFG ergo KFC won.
Another strange problem is that a very small minority who are on those Stratas/Building Management Committees are changing the standars of the facilities to suit their own agends. The issue is \"green\". So far they have diminished the pool facility (lowered the water temperature and turned off the water feature) and started turning of parking floor lights and the fountain. Because they are unopposed, they think their actions are approved.
I was looking to rent my place but the agent I approached says the cold pool had become public knowledge and it was a problem for renting! He claimed he had had 2 tenants leave. Hard to believe but who knows.
The retail is trash and the promised supermarket opened for a nanosecond. The rest should close ASAP. Is no-one controlling the quality here? 75% has never been leased.
Otherwise is is a cool building.
08/09/2009
Other
2008 - 2009 Rating...
I bought into this building off the plan having lived in Republic 2, Horizon & Ikon. This building leaves the others for dead in terms of facilities and management. It is very strictly run and as a result, there are few problems despite 450 apartments (which are divided into 3 separate Strata Plans + 1 commercial). Owners interests are paramount and the building management & security have been careful to proceed professionally and pro-actively to set standards from the outset. Outside incursions into the facilities have been resisted (gym classes, parking etc) and use of common areas (theatres, reception rooms) is easy and well monitored. There is a sense still that the developer wields a lot of influence (understandable given a fair number of unsold apartments). The Concierge staff are very good (the men are better here than the women staff) if a little stiff...they need to \"offer\" more help rather than just warm their seat at the desk. The lifts have been well thought out and service different floors, avoiding long waits. This is the best run building I have tried yet. The location is second to none. Question: why did the developer not put an underground connection to Town Hall councourse? Why not put a health centre in the basement?
07/09/2009
Current resident
2007 - 2009 Rating...
This is a class building. It is mostly owner occupied, largely upmarket Asian and VERY well managed. The facilities are of a high standard and closely monitored. There has been some trouble with adolescent behaviour in the parking areas and around the pool but that is mostly renters. Security do a good job but there can be some pretty ordinary folk to deal with. Money doesn't guarantee class.
Holiday rents are forbidden and closely monitored and seem not to be a problem. The KFC smell is an issue and they are currently being sued by the City of Sydney. The Lumiere developers paid the KFC big money to put filters on their exhaust but they removed them. Looks like the Council will have them evicted.
There is a current problem with the enforcement of building codes. The management is trying to enforce uniformity from the outside but you cannot legislate that people must close their blinds before their curtains. Especially when the developer doesn't!
Otherwise, an excellent building. Great pool & gym. Good security and management. Fantastic location. By and large...good residents.
30/07/2009
Other
2009 - 2009 Rating...
Fabulous looking building and facilities, however the studio and one-bedder I was shown were tiny. The walls are very thin, one of the neighbours had a yappy dog who we could hear when then agent was showing us through on a Saturday morning. Also one of my friends who bought in here and does not live here anymore (rents it out) because she couldn\\\\\\\'t stand the smell of KFC under the apartment when she opened the windows. She had a 2 bedder which was very nice. A bit overpriced to buy or rent but great looking building and finishes. Much better than the Meriton buildings in the CBD. Worth a look but only if you are will to pay $$. Most of the tenants are apparently owners which is good - i.e. they will take care of the building as opposed to renters.
14/07/2008
Current resident
2007 - 2008 Rating...
Security are a bunch of thugs - very rude to residents. They also steal stuff left around in common areas. The security of the building in general seems good. I haven't heard of any vehicle thefts or break-ins to apartments yet. I'm really not sure how you could actually steal anything from the apartments & get away without being noticed on camera. Annoying facilities manager continually posts bitchy letters criticizing residents for everything from their choice of blinds to their driving skills in the carpark. Facilities are excellent, but you have to pay $1000 bond to use the theatrettes, meeting rooms & function rooms. When you try to organise bookings for these extra facilities, you are usually met with blank-faced staff who have no idea what they are doing. The architectural design of the building is first class & innovative, however the choice of furnishing & 'art' in Club Lumiere (recreation facilities) is really really awful! Embarrassing in fact. The only redeeming piece is a well-placed (rep
09/07/2008
Current resident
2008 - 2008 Rating...
Higher level, north facing apartments enjoy spectacular views from Anzac Bridge, right out through the heads to the Pacific Ocean during the day and a panorama of the CBD lights at night. Central city location with quality fixtures and fittings throughout, olympic length indoor/outdoor swimming pool, outdoor spa, two saunas, two gyms, two small theatres, a number of meeting & function rooms, 24 hour concierge and three levels shops and restaurants accessible from within the apartment building and at street level off Bathurt and George Streets. High quality 'vertical village' living arrangement overlooking the St Andrews Cathedral, Town Hall and the QVB precinct in the physical heart of Sydney.
19/03/2008
other
2008 - 2008 Rating...
22/12/2007
current
2007 - 2007 Rating...
Beautifully built apartments with high quality fittings. Just next door to Townhall train station and Queen Victoria building. Has sauna and on site management.
19/11/2007
current
2007 - 2007 Rating...
So nice build. Lots style & trend setter.
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