Getty
Architecture fans, modernists and Sydney-lovers alike are celebrating today with the news that Sydney’s iconic Sirius building has been saved after a court decision to keep the building off the heritage list was ruled invalid.
The NSW Government wants to sell the public housing building, designed by architect Tao Goffers in 1979, to raise funds for more social housing.
The Heritage Council unanimously recommended that the block of flats, a rare Australian example of brutalist architecture, be protected.
Despite this, former NSW heritage minister Mark Speakman rejected this recommendation, arguing that heritage-listing the building would reduce its value.
The court yesterday ruled that Mr Speakman did not properly consider the building’s significant heritage.
The decision is a win for a group of local residents who raised $50,000 through crowd-funding to take the case to court. Modernism-fan and comedian Tim Ross has been vocal in his fight to save Sirius over the last four years.
“We won!” Mr Ross said yesterday on Instagram. “I’m so proud of everyone who supported @saveoursirius. There is nothing better than a ragtag bunch taking on the government and winning,” he said.
