Finger Wharf

Hey guys I found some information about the Finger Wharf which is the long building where there is now a hotel and residential area. It might help us in finding a name for the space for example.
The Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf appeared during an era of large finger wharf building. It was built on the site of Sydney’s first fish market (1872-1910) for the Sydney Harbour Trust, which was created in 1900 to bring order to the chaotic state of the wharves throughout the harbour and began a substantial rebuilding programme. The jetty was commenced in 1910 and was largely completed by 1913. The Engineer-in-Chief was HD Walsh. An extension (approximately 30m) to the wharf was added in 1916. Further development in the form of road building, wharf and pile repair, and shed construction continued up to early 1920s, expanding on the pattern already created. It then became one of the major wool dispatch points, the site of Sydney’s only wool dumps (where wool bales are compressed by hydraulic plugs) and the terminal for some of the largest ships entering Sydney Harbour. In 1926, the northern end shed was constructed to serve as a store and a carpenter’s shop. During World War 1 and World War 2, the wharf was an embarkation point for troops boarding converted passenger liners to be transported to foreign theatres of the wars. Shed No.7 was altered in 1956 when it was upgraded to a passenger terminal. This section of the wharf was one of the principal passenger wharves in Sydney and was one of the first contact points for migrants to Australia. (RNE 016335)

Presently, the wharf is leased to a private company Wharf At Woolloomooloo Pty Ltd (a joint venture of Walker Corporation and Multiplex), and is undergoing substantial modifications for adaptive use for hotel and residential accommodation.

Helgi.

Photos from the wharf

Here are some of the pictures I took in the wharf which might help with some creative sketching. I know George wanted them so I decided to post them here for you all to see.

Helgi

Woolloomooloo history

Here is some of the history for Finger Wharf.

We might find some old photos to use Here.

Helgi.

Straight from the horses mouth

I was just browsing through some reviews about Harry’s, and came across one from  ”Great escapes”. It pretty much outlines the purpose, history etc, but what i found relevant was that they included a quote from  the current owner Mr Hanna regarding the target market. They also mention the seating positions in the article. 

“Now we have no specific customer base,” Hannah said. “Anyone from neighborhood kids to five-star admirals loves Harry’s.”

There are no tables; customers stand at high counters on either side of the van, or just hold their pies as they stand or sit by the water to enjoy their meal.

 

Complete article here. 

http://www.greatescapes.com/world/ci_10681461

-George N

City of Sydney webpage

I found an environmental plan for Woolloomooloo from the year 2007. I think it might have some information relevant to our research. I found that they had 8 key directions and that they had divided up the area around the waterfront. Then they had marked which directions where relevant to the waterfront. The .pdf for this report can be downloaded from this site: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/development/UrbanRenewalProjects/WoolloomoolooPlan.asp#Improvements. And at the bottom of the page is the name of the Strategic Social Planner we could contact if we need any more information from them.

Here is a picture of the 8 key points from the plan.

And this is the map from the report and which points are relevant to the waterfront. Might be useful.

I also found some information about Alchol Free Zones which will be in effect from Monday 3 November 2008 to Wednesday 2 November 2011. The NSW Police are responsible for enforcing Alcohol Free Zones. For more information about Alcohol Free Zones in the City local government area, click here.

I am not entirely sure that Harry´s spot is in that area or if this information affects our design in any way but these are the locations of the streets in Woolloomooloo. Just thought it might be useful since a lot of drunk people show up in the weekend buying pies and hot dogs.

Helgi.

Automotive enthusiasts that gather at Harry’s

Iv mentioned before that on friday and saturday nights, there is often a lot of socializing at Harry’ particularly Automotive enthusiasts. I would say its good for the business, but not the best for the residence that live around there.

Here are some pics from one night  i was there. Disregard the amateur photography haha ( not taken by me ). These particular pics are from the servo across the road, but you get the idea.

 

- George N

Powerhouse museum

I found really good information about the old Caravan that Harry “Tiger” Edwards used. It seems as the old caravan is in the Powerhouse Museum so it might be worth going there if we can get some more photos of it. I was thinking about going to an exhibition there anyway so I might be able to snap some photos of it then. There is quite a bit of information so I will only post the link to it and here is the photo as well. But it tells about the life cycle of the old caravan, a bit about Harry himself and even what it is made out of. Have a look:

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=46876&search=old+road&images=&c=1&s=

It says in the text on the site that Alex Kuronya was once the owner of the caravan as well. I believe this is him:

Helgi.

Harry’s Cafe de Wheels threatened with expulsion

Here is something that i thought is quite relevant.

 

    “Cars pull up with their radio on full blare and open the doors to get a pie … this is a residential area at 4am.”

 

 

WOOLLOOMOOLOO’S new rich have launched a crusade against one of its oldest inhabitants: Harry’s Cafe de Wheels.

The raffish harbourside food stall has been serving up its famous pies with peas since the Depression but its development consent is about to expire.

 

Now a group of residents from the luxury apartments that have filled the former working class area are opposing its renewal request with expanded operating hours, complaining of late-night disturbance.

 

Celebrity interior designer Heather Buttrose, sister-in-law to publishing legend Ita, has gained support from a collection of chief executives, professionals, senior bureaucrats and a former judge, all of whom have lodged submissions with the City of Sydney that are hostile to Harry’s.

 

Mrs Buttrose, whose designs grace the interior of some of Australia’s most expensive homes, established an office opposite Harry’s in 1997 and also lives nearby.”I don’t think it’s an appropriate location,” she said.

 

“Cars pull up with their radio on full blare and open the doors to get a pie … this is a residential area at 4am.”

 

However, the beleaguered snack bar has also attracted some high-profile backers, including Woolloomooloo Wharf resident John Laws, who wrote to the council expressing his support.

 

“There’s little doubt that part of the charm of Woolloomooloo is Harry’s,” the 2UE broadcaster wrote.

 

“I don’t quite understand what the objections might be and believe they could hardly carry a great deal of weight if they’re coming from people who came to Woolloomooloo after Harry’s Cafe de Wheels.

 

“It has been part of the Cowper Wharf Rd scene for as long as I can remember – and I can even remember when it was on wheels!”

 

Harry’s began life as a fast food caravan in 1938, serving naval personnel from nearby Garden Island, pub and club patrons and a string of celebrities, from Frank Sinatra to Marlene Dietrich.

Michael Hanna, its current owner, said police and council monitoring failed to establish it was a source of major accidents or disturbance, arguing it actually made the area safer.

 

“This could be a very quiet, dodgy part of town but there’s always people here and the mood is always good,” he said.

 

Among residents who disagree is Ian Hunt, chief executive of Connector Motorways, owners of the Lane Cove Tunnel and Falcon St Gateway, senior RTA bureaucrat Caitlin Richard and former district court judge Philip Twigg, QC.

 

They are among 32 objectors to lodge submissions opposing the Harry’s application, citing noise and litter to traffic problems.

 

Some simply oppose its extended trading hours but others, like Mrs Buttrose, would like to see Harry’s moved west to the expressway overpass or east to Garden Island.

 

 

Source:

 

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22618880-421,00.html

 

 

 

- George N

Pieshop

Just thought I should post a picture of the original owner of harry’s. Here is Harry himself.

Like I said sometime before, it would be nice to keep the layout of the magasine in the 50’s to 60’s style. Like the logo for Harry’s.

Here is a website we can have a look at which is relevant to the design. http://www.fadexperiment.com/ the work of Timba Smit who does the magasine wooden toy.

Helgi

Navy

I did some research on the Gunnery. Didn’t find much about the building before it turned into an artspace. We might be able to get some information from the navy about the building. Here is some of the stuff i found:

-Helgi