THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE CITY’S HERITAGE STARTS HERE Brick kilns at the Canberra Brickworks, 1926. National Archives of Australia: A3560, 167 Above: The quarry face at Canberra Brickworks 1920s. National Archives of Australia: A3560, 1145 Right: Patent for the Staffordshire kiln, 1956. National Archives of Australia: A2445, M8939B A VISION TO MAKE CANBERRA GREAT The Canberra Brickworks was established in 1913 and has played a significant role in the building of the nation’s capital. For its time, the infrastructure was leading technology, adapted from a design from England. The landmark Staffordshire kiln is now the last of its kind in Australia. The Canberra Brickworks closed several times when manufacturers were needed more urgently elsewhere. Production rates hit an all-time high in the 1950s as Canberra experienced its first population boom. By the mid-1970s, technology and housing trends had changed, new materials and modern techniques meant that the old brickworks was no longer needed and it closed in 1976. THE CITY’S FOUNDATIONS The enduring mark of the Canberra Brickworks is still evident today. Throughout inner Canberra the iconic red bricks, given their colour and parochial character by the clay used in surrounding quarries, feature in many homes and significant government buildings including Old Parliament House and Hotel Canberra (now the Hyatt Hotel Canberra). The quintessentially Canberran red brick homes line the streets of suburbs such as Reid, Ainslie and Campbell. When construction of Old Parliament House began in 1923, the project was so large that a rail system was established to transport bricks to the site. More than four million bricks went into Old Parliament House alone. The Canberra Brickworks also manufactured many other construction materials including roof tiles and terracotta pipes which lie in the foundations of Canberra’s first suburbs. Right: Parliament House opening preparations. The rail line in the middle ground was used to carry bricks from the Brickworks to building sites, 1926. National Archives of Australia: A3560, 32 Below Left: Part of Hotel Canberra under construction, 1921–1931. National Archives of Australia: A3560, 462 Below Right: Brick cottage and garden in Braddon, 1927. National Archives of Australia: A3560, 2805 The Hardy kiln under construction, 1926. National Archives of Australia: A3560, 2076 LOCATION IS KEY The Canberra Brickworks occupies a prominent and provides visitors who tour the streets with a position within one of Canberra’s most esteemed variety of architecture from across the world. With suburbs, Yarralumla. an enviable position along the lake, Yarralumla offers picturesque parks and gardens which are regularly Located 3.5kms from the CBD, Yarralumla is used for community gatherings. on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, next to the Parliamentary triangle. Its unique position is both Rich with history and vibrant with culture, this close to the centre of Canberra and well connected leafy location has an array of recreational facilities. to the furthest reaches of the ACT via major arterial Yarralumla has a reputation for excellent eateries roads, making it an accessible and attractive place and the local shops offer a variety of restaurants and to visit and live. The central location means it’s close cafes, among other key services. to Canberra International Airport and the city’s national institutions including Parliament House, The shoreline is also where Canberra Yacht Club is the National Gallery of Australia and the National situated, which caters to sailing enthusiasts of all Museum of Australia. levels. It offers the community yacht amenities and a variety of family-friendly classes, events and racing. Yarralumla was influential in the growth of young On any given Sunday morning in spring and summer Canberra, supporting its initial development with the lake is a spectacle, dotted with colourful sails. industrial and horticultural services. Originally a number of workman’s cottages populated the area, The Royal Canberra Golf Course is also in Yarralumla, housing those who worked at the Brickworks. located right next to the Brickworks site. The grounds are filled with a splendid array of European Today it is one of Canberra’s most recognisable trees making it the most scenic course in the region suburbs with wide sweeping streets and attractive and one of the most challenging, frequently drawing homes. The median property price in Yarralumla skilled athletes for serious tournaments from across is $1,135,000 compared to the Canberra median the nation. Both of Yarralumla’s clubs have fine property price of $620,000.* It hosts a number of dining restaurants with award winning cuisine. embassies and the Governor-General’s residence, *As at January 2016, Allhomes. Mount Ainslie Telstra Tower Canberra CBD New Acton Lake Burley Griffin Canberra Rowing Club Royal Canberra Golf Club Canberra International Airport Australian War Memorial New Acton National Museum of Australia Old Parliament House Parliament House Canberra Yacht Club YARRALUMLA Adelaide Avenue Cotter Road Areas marked are indicative only Telstra Tower Canberra CBD NEW ACTON National Arboretum Canberra National Zoo and Aquarium Old Parliament House Royal Canberra Golf Club PARKES Parliament House YARRALUMLA BARTON Royal Australian Mint DEAKIN FORREST CURTIN Map is indicative only Right: Royal Canberra Golf Club. Below Left: Canberra Yacht Club. Below Right: Yarralumla local shops. A FIRM FOOTING FOR GROWTH 1M 186.1K People to live in the Canberra region by 2050 International visitors to the Capital (in the year ending September 2015) 4.13M 2.13M Visitors to the ACT Domestic overnight visitors (in the year ending September 2015) (in the year ending September 2015) 2,949 >$2.5K Yarralumla population Yarralumla median weekly household income Canberra is an exciting, evolving city with As the population grows, so does the an expanding population. Now more than infrastructure, with Capital Metro, the 100 years old, the city has entered a new phase proposed light rail system, set to connect of regeneration with a renewed focus on the city centre with the outer suburbs. developing underused pockets and precincts and transforming them into thriving cultural hubs. As the home of Australia’s many national Kingston Foreshore, New Acton and Braddon have institutions, research and education, and the brought new life to the city with their mixture centre of government, Canberra has a highly of residential, food, entertainment, and arts educated population. This is reflected in a high facilities. These urban hotspots have been met average wage, the highest GDP in the country, by the locals with great enthusiasm, proving that and a consistently strong economy. It also Canberra is strengthening its own culture. As one has the youngest population in the country. of the few remaining examples of the city’s early By 2050 it is projected that the Canberra history, a revitalised Canberra Brickworks would region will be home to one million people. reawaken an overlooked treasure of our past. $ 1.35B >$85K Domestic overnight expenditure GDP per capita per annum (in the year ending September 2015) $ 381M International expenditure International Airport (in the year ending September 2015) >$1.13M 3.5KM Yarralumla median property price Yarralumla proximity to the CBD Sources: Visit Canberra 2016, Invest Canberra 2016, Allhomes 2016, Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014. READY FOR CHANGE The Canberra Brickworks has been a crucial part of the city’s past and will continue to play an important role in the future of the city. By revitalising and repurposing the site, it is envisaged that Canberrans will be able to engage with and enjoy the iconic landmark in a variety of ways. The vision is to create a new vibrant community incorporating residential opportunities, picturesque parks and commercial spaces, allowing this underused site to become a feature in the lives of Canberrans and visitors alike. The opportunity to develop a precinct offering innovative and dynamic architecture, quality commercial spaces as well as low to medium density residences is second to none. The transformation of the Canberra Brickworks will restore a part of history, offering an interactive space and something new for the entire community. FLEXIBILITY TO PLAN YOUR VISION There are very few chances to enrich the Canberra cityscape with something entirely different. The Canberra Brickworks provides an opportunity to repurpose a highly valued historical amenity and create a new functional space for the community. The site presents enormous development potential – a chance to be flexible, creative and dynamic in design, to drive innovation as an established space is reinterpreted into a new era, and to create a showpiece for industrial urban renewal. The Canberra Brickworks has exceptional potential. It allows up to 380 residential dwellings and its Zoning (RZ1 and CZ6) provides for a wide range of uses within the Territory Plan, encouraging commercial investment with active street frontages and a lively nightlife. SITE SPECIFICS Block 1, Section 102 – 95,817m2 – CZ6 and RZ1 Block 7, Section 102 – 59,756m2 – CZ6 Block 20, Section 102 – 5,370m2 – CZ6 Allows up to 380 residential dwellings The ACT government is seeking developers who understand the opportunity juxtaposed with the significance and history of the site. Opportunities for leisure and retail development are boundless, with the precinct holding the potential for uses such as hotels, shopping, cafes, restaurants, fitness and health facilities. The case studies below are representative of urban renewal on sites of historical significance. We include these as examples of what can be achieved with innovation and dynamic development principles. CARRIAGEWORKS Sydney’s Carriageworks was converted from a rail construction hub into a multipurpose art centre. The buildings were heritage listed and a striking example of 19th century industrial architecture. In the restoration process the integrity of the original buildings has been maintained while giving the site a new practical purpose. Carriageworks reopened in 2007 and has become a highly successful collaborative space.