Taylor made — Local Paddo

Taylor Square in 1959. Courtesy: City of Sydney

Taylor Square may be set for a major revamp, with Lord Mayor Clover Moore announcing plans to create a cultural centre out of the sandstone Darlinghurst Law Courts and National Art School complex.

The future of the lower end of Oxford St between Paddington and Darlinghurst has again come under the spotlight, with the City of Sydney vowing to protect and promote the thoroughfare though its Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 strategic plan.

The move comes as height restrictions are set to be lifted in the zone, allowing buildings to rise two levels, a move that that promoted developers to eye the area.

Some of the council’s new proposals include turning the National Arts School into a cultural precinct, and opening the entrance to the Darlinghurst Law Courts to Oxford St, to stimulate greater foot traffic onto the thoroughfare.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City of Sydney was committed to revitalising Oxford St, despite the challenges facing the neighbourhood from the pandemic and social change.

“Renewing our planning rules will help reinforce Oxford Street’s creative and cultural possibilities,” she said.

Artist’s impression of the revamped Darlinghurst Law Courts

A key pillar of the proposal is turning around the entrance to the Darlinghurst Law Courts to promote foot traffic to Oxford St. It is likely the law courts will be relocated so the heritage sandstone building can be celebrated and elevated in a cultural capacity.

“Plans to revitalise Oxford St carefully consider the potential to rethink the National Art School and Taylor Square as a cultural and community precinct,” Cr Moore said.

“Opening the Law Courts in Darlinghurst to Oxford St would give the art school a new front door, connect it to the community and elevate the historic complex to a major cultural destination. It would also create much needed public open space for the local community.

“We’re also committed to building on its reputation as an iconic gay and lesbian precinct and a centre of buzzing activity both day and night, with space for thriving businesses, creatives and culture.”

The local gay community has been vocal in asserting that Oxford St’s LGBTIQA+ heritage be recognised in planning outcomes, with gay newspaperStar Observer has been campaigning to force the council to preserve the gay heritage of the area.

“Under the Oxford St LGBTIQA+ Social and Cultural Place Strategy, and following months of community consultation and pressure from Star Observer, the City of Sydney has released a framework to recognise the importance of Oxford Street to the LGBTQI community. It will also identify places of LGBTQI significance while strengthening the street’s LGBTQI cultural identity,” the paper commented this week.

“The framework includes protections for LGBTQI heritage items, highlighting LGBTQI history and culture, more LGBTQI artwork and rainbow crossings, protections for sex on premises venues, and incentives for LGBTQI employment and inclusion as well as the much talked about Pride Centre and museum.”

The council says it is adopting ideas instituted in London to help retain creative spaces in city fringe areas.

Grassroots campaign pushes City of Sydney to save Oxford St’s LBGT identity