Changing Newcastle

  Since I came to live in Newcastle NSW (Australia) in 1999, the city has changed... architecture alone has changed the look of Newcastle.  As I walked by the old newspaper building , I was a bit sad to see a crane lifting materials for the apartments being built behind the facade of the original building. It wasn't just that the old building is no longer, it is that the local newspaper has changed too - no local office, printed elsewhere electronically. Yet I felt happy that at least the building will become "home" to many people  and that its history won't be lost. 
Last week, I also captured this shot of an old 1823 building reflected in the new City of Newcastle administration building. While the new building will be spectacular as it is, I really liked the idea of the past being reflected in its shiny glass exterior.  

There are some really amazing buildings which have appeared in Newcastle in the last few years.  The University of Newcastle , City  Campus is a testament to architectural innovations and contemporary design as well as function. It is called NeW Space -  a space to collaborate , and it certainly feels like that. 

In the same  city precinct as NeW Space is perhaps my favourite building in Newcastle, although I never really want to spend time in there. The Law Courts completed in 2015 still resonate with a newness and somehow a distinctive Newcastle feel.  It was built in a difficult triangular space, but somehow seems to spread happily into the block . Local artists' work have been featured for the interior design  with the foyer installation paying homage to the original  indigenous owners of the land. 

And soon, this city streetscape will be visible from the new light rail which will trvel along Hunter Street Newcastle.

Sadly for some ( my grandchildren included) the Queen's Wharf Tower, an icon of  'old ' Newcastle will not be visible  as it was demolished last year. However, there are many people who have rejoiced over the removal of what was considered a rather embarrassing phallic sculptural icon. 

And that is progress... 



Image Credits: 

• Wilma Simmons 
• https://www.newcastle.edu.au
• http://www.coxarchitecture.com.au