From the display apartment - interior finishes and model of building

I found these photos taken a year ago in the display apartment.

This is the original model of the building, showing the eastern side. In the foreground is the four-storey part of the building with the garden area and trees at ground level, plus the covered community area on top. This links to the ten-storey building which attaches to the old flour mill facade.

Interior showing the kitchen finishes, including SMEG appliances. Buyers were given the choice of charcoal or light. And love those wooden floorboards.

I like the way there is no lip onto the balcony, it is flat access with the sliding mechanism recessed. This will make it easy for anyone in a wheelchair to move between the inside and outside of the apartment. Big tick for this design feature!

Landscaping plus stairs and lift access to light rail

Here are a couple of images from the early plans for Harbour Mill, including detail on the landscaping and access to the light rail. Some of the detail may have changed since I was given these.

As shown in this artist's impression, stairs will be built to connect Harbour Mill to Wentworth Park station, with a lift at the side. This connects to the paved area at the front of the building where there is provision for a coffee shop or restaurant. What actually goes into this commercial space will depend on the type of business that takes up the lease. These stairs and lift can be used by anybody, so it improves overall access from Pyrmont to the light rail and across to the fish markets. The paved area faces west so it should be a lovely spot for a coffee in the afternoon and early evening as the sun sets, but will probably be in shade in the morning as the sun is on the other side of the building.

Below, you can also see the garden area at the eastern side of the building (the top on this plan) which will be heavily planted with trees and shrubs. Hopefully, this will shield the building somewhat from the road. The atrium inside the building connects directly with this area making a pleasant and open walk through. Plus there is another garden for residents on the northern side, the left side of this plan.

Although not shown on this plan, there is a third communal area on the roof of the four storey part at the southern side of the building. So that's three communal areas exclusively for tenants, and since they are all on different sides of the building, there will always be somewhere to catch the sun.

Another building by the Harbour Mill developer, Ceerose

The developer of Harbour Mill is Ceerose, and they have just finished another prestigious development called Eliza. It is on Elizabeth St, opposite Hyde Park and near David Jones. It includes only eighteen apartments with three remaining to sell at prices between $4.5 million and an extraordinary $15 million for the three bedroom penthouse.

I hope this is an example of the high quality work of Ceerose, and that some of this top end expertise is evident in the finishes at Harbour Mill. I've read that the boss of Ceerose used to come to Harbour Mill when it was still an operating flour mill and he was just a boy, so he has a special affection for the place.

Here is what Eliza looks like internally and externally.

So I am expecting Harbour Mill to look as good as this!

Views of Harbour Mill from the North and West

Most of my photographs showing the progress at Harbour Mill have been taken from Jones Street and Jones Lane facing the southern side of the building because this is how you access the site and get closest to the building. But it is the northern side (nearest the harbour on the Fish Market side) where the old Edwin Davey flour mill facade is being preserved, and it will look spectacular of that side when it is finished. However, at the moment, it is covered in scaffolding and white plastic to protect it (and maybe for some later grand unveiling). This is the view from the light train station showing the old facade is now completely hidden.

You can also see a type of cyclone fence on the left, in front of the building, on top of a cliff. This will be one of three open spaces on the site which only residents can use, and it should be a lovely sunny spot as it faces towards the north. I'm looking forward to spending some time sitting in the sun there.

The next photo is taken from below Harbour Mill, looking at the western side. You can see the gap between the two halves of the building, which will form the main entry, up a flight of stairs (if you use a wheelchair, there is another entry with level access). There will be steps leading down to the light rail platform from this point, as well as a lift. But you can gain an understanding of the atrium structure in the middle of the building, where the lifts will be. This should be a grand entry point when it is completed. Compare it with the artist's impression at the top of my blog.

Finally, a photo taken from Jones Street but showing the western side of Harbour Mill. You can see the opening to the car park on the right.

Great news about Sydney Fish Market and the Bays Precinct

Exciting news that the area next to Harbour Mill, including the Fish Markets, will be redeveloped around the bay with open spaces, tourist facilities and recreational uses. It will be a great place to visit with family and friends, and it's so close. Here's an artist's impression of how it might look.

Further around in Blackwattle Bay will also be developed, creating over five kilometres of harbour frontage in an area to be known as The Bays Precinct. The NSW Premier said the proposal is "possibly the most exciting and ambitious urban renewal opportunity in the world today". Wow, and right on the doorstep of Harbour Mill (see map below).

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It will be exciting to have all these facilities nearby, with the city and Darling Harbour and all its new developments on the other side. Harbour Mill is located perfectly between these new developments, which will cost billions of dollars.

Take a look at the red cross I have put on this map - that's Harbour Mill. Right next to the Wentworth Park light rail stop, and almost adjoining the orange shaded area which is the new Bays Precinct. I have always thought the Fish Markets need remodelling with so much potential, so it's great that it's going to happen. Bring it on, I say.

Who is reading my blog?

Hi Everyone,

I've been keeping this blog for around a year now, and enjoy checking its progress in terms of number of pageviews quite often. As it has hit around 2,000 pageviews, it got me thinking "Who is reading it?"

I'm curious to see who is out there and reading it! So please, drop me a comment. You could tell me why you are reading it, or just say hi. I'd love to hear from you! :)

Beginning of July 2014

We visited the building site for the first time in a couple of months in early July. Again, a lot more progress had been made since the last visit, and the idea that by this time next year I will be living in one of these apartments was feeling more and more real, and even more exciting.

In the photo above, you can see that they have reached the top floor of the building at one end. The rooftop garden will be added to this. This will be an area where only residents can go.

The photo below shows the beginning of the garden area on the eastern side.

And in this photo, the workman in yellow is walking into the first floor apartment. The driveway alongside the building is now complete, built above the carpark and next to the old terrace house.