My dictionary defines a garden gazebo as “a freestanding structure, open on all sides, often octagonal, built with a view, an ornament in its landscape, providing shade and a place to rest.” And so it is with the Gazebo apartments, although not open-sided, now a two-building complex, including the 12-sided former hotel tower, once famous for its jaw-dropping 360 degree views and 1960s groovy, hip, bright blue and vivid puce cocktail bar.

Apartment 906, 2a Elizabeth Bay Road, in the Gazebo complex is currently for sale through Angleo Bouras and Tonia Croft. https://www.rwebay.com.au/7462740/

Undoubtedly, this tower and complex is the largest stylised “gazebo” ever built. Opened in May 1969, it has a unique 18-storey construction method, determined by its cylindrical shape and radiating concrete frame. It is an excellent example of a Post-War International style hotel building. The owner, Syd Fischer, created the design concept himself and supervised construction after being inspired by similar buildings he’d seen in Chicago.
The site had formerly been the Cherveralls private hotel.

International style’s three main design principles were structure, plan and functionalism: it achieved widespread and enthusiastic adoption in the USA and many other countries, hence its name.
The adjoining rectangular, complementary apartment block with courtyards, once a service station, was built in 1982.

The Gazebo’s original 1960s functionalist decor included modern plastic furniture and orange carpet. Its skeletal-structure façade and white marble aggregate finish were described as “one of the most spirited additions to Sydney’s skyline for some time”. The hotel accommodated 500 guests in 200 rooms with a single room costing $90 per night in 2000, including a fancy “Continental Breakfast”. A stunning, heated swimming pool and enclosed roof-top observation deck commanded panoramic views over Sydney.
Both buildings were successfully upgraded to modern apartments in 2005.

By Andrew Woodhouse, Director, Heritage Solutions