‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’: Retailers want to scrap the QVB’s stained-glass windows

2 months ago 5

A controversial push from retailers to remove Queen Victoria Building’s multicoloured stained-glass windows and replace them with clear glass has received backlash from critics, who say the proposal would strip the heritage-listed building of its unique character.

In December, Vicinity Centres – the country’s second-largest retail landlord and co-owner of the QVB – lodged a development application with the City of Sydney seeking to replace the multicoloured glass on the Market Street ground floor shopfronts with clear glass.

The City of Sydney is weighing up a development application that seeks to replace the QVB’s stained-glass windows with clear ones.

Its proposal says the coloured glass creates a “significant economic burden” to landlords and reduces the attractiveness and value of the space to prospective retailers. It points to millions of dollars in lost revenue.

The application says the coloured glass obscures views from the street, and it says installing clear glass will provide clearer views into shops and highlight their double-height spaces. The project has an estimated completion cost of $121,000.

The architect report prepared for Vicinity Centres says replacing QVB’s stained-glass windows with clear ones will improve street views.

The stained-glass windows were refurbished in the 1980s, a reconstruction of the original neo-romanesque sandstone building that was erected in 1898. The QVB was heritage listed in 2010 but alterations to specific elements such as the coloured glass are deemed of lower heritage significance.

Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller described the QVB as “such an iconic building”, and said it was “the only brand worth really considering” in conversations about its future and heritage status.

“Honestly, I’ve never walked past it and said, ‘Oh, we’ve got to fix that’ – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” she said. “Occasionally, there are ‘head-scratcher’ development applications to the Local Planning Panel that really make you wonder, ‘What are they thinking?’. This is a good example of a head-scratcher.”

A picture of QVB in October 1963. The building was heritage listed in 2010.

Asked about their reasoning behind the proposal, a Vicinity Centres spokesman said the changes were “minor adjustments”, which, if approved, would “improve natural light and visibility while maintaining architectural consistency along this key streetscape”.

“Our goal is to ensure the QVB continues to thrive as a destination that seamlessly connects with its surroundings while respecting its historic character,” the spokesman said.

Vicinity did not answer questions about which retailers had pushed for the application.

Sydneysiders Priyanka Thandar and Ronisha Bhandari with the colourful QVB windows as a backdrop.

Sydneysider Priyanka Thandar, who is opposed to the proposed change, said the stained glass was “the kind of aesthetic that makes it the QVB. If you change it to clear glass, it will be like any other building”.

Jennifer Geluz is also in favour of retaining the existing facade, and said: “Sydney already has no character.“

The application is on public exhibition and the City of Sydney is accepting submissions until February 6, after which the council’s Local Planning Panel will determine the outcome.

Miller recommended Sydneysiders to make their voices heard: “While cities change and adapt, there are things absolutely worth protecting and I have absolute faith in the city’s planning processes to do just that. Anyone who feels strongly about this application should absolutely make a submission and have their opinion heard.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.