Topic: Construction and Real Estate Industry. The facade of Hensley Hall has been mostly demolished to allow construction of an apartment block. A Singapore-based developer has been accused of giving Sydney a "two-fingered salute" by demolishing much of the historic facade of an inner-city building in order to construct an apartment block.
The City of Sydney approved the demolition of the existing Hensley Hall building, with the exception of the Bayswater Road facade. Locals say the remaining gables resemble two fingers sticking up, much like an insulting gesture. But the recent removal of hoardings shows most of the facade had been removed, leaving two thin gables rising up on each end of the metre frontage.
The City of Sydney confirmed in a statement that some elements of the facade that were to be retained have been removed. Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage and Residents Society president Andrew Woodhouse said he believed the facade was demolished about 18 months ago, however it was hidden behind hoarding. The heritage facade can be clearly seen in this artist's impression of the apartment complex from last year. He said he and other local residents discovered that the heritage facade had been largely demolished when the hording was taken down about 10 days ago.
He said workers began putting back up the hoarding over the weekend. The square metre site is not a heritage item but is a contributory item within the Potts Point Conservation Area.
Over the years it operated as a private hotel and boarding house. Well-known local busker and collector Barry Minhinnick was evicted after 20 years living in the building and acting as its caretaker. Barry Minhinnick lived in Hensley Hall for 20 years.
