A growing rebellion against modernist architecture is sweeping across Australia, following a broader international movement that seeks to restore classical building styles and streetscapes to their former glory. The backlash represents a dramatic shift in architectural philosophy, challenging decades of modernist dominance that fundamentally transformed cityscapes around the world.
The story of this architectural revolution can be vividly understood through the tragic tale of Sydney's Rowe Street, once celebrated as "a touch of Paris" and considered the jewel of Sydney's central business district. From the late 19th century until the mid-1970s, this vibrant laneway stretched an entire block between Pitt and Castlereagh streets, serving as the beating heart of Sydney's cosmopolitan life. The street bustled with an eclectic bohemian mix of cafes, art galleries, dress stores, milliners, bookshops, and record stores, all housed within magnificent Edwardian and Victorian buildings.
The laneway's grandeur was enhanced by its connection to the sandstone-colonnaded Hotel Australia and one of the elegant entrances to the original Theatre Royal on Martin Place. Visitors and locals alike could stroll through this architectural wonderland, experiencing what felt like a slice of European sophistication in the heart of Sydney. The atmosphere during the 1940s and 1950s was particularly magical, with the street representing everything that made urban life exciting and culturally rich.
However, this architectural paradise met a brutal end in 1973, when the laneway was severed and both the palatial Hotel Australia and the original Theatre Royal were demolished. The destruction occurred despite fierce public opposition at the time, making way for Harry Seidler's brutalist MLC Centre tower, now known as 25 Martin Place. The modernist building, which recently underwent a $170 million renovation of its dated lower levels, stands as a stark symbol of what was lost in the name of architectural progress.
Today, only a sad sliver of the once-exuberant laneway remains, serving as a haunting reminder of the wholesale destruction that characterized the modernist movement's approach to urban renewal. Standing in what remains of this nondescript city laneway, it requires considerable imagination to picture how it once looked and felt, with its vibrant mix of shops and the sophisticated urban culture they fostered.
This pattern of destruction and replacement was not unique to Sydney but represented a global phenomenon where modernist architects essentially declared war on classical architecture. Across Europe and other parts of the world, similar scenes played out as historic buildings and entire streetscapes were demolished to make way for stark, functional modernist structures that prioritized efficiency over beauty and cultural continuity.
The current backlash against modernism reflects a growing recognition that something valuable was lost in this architectural revolution. In Europe, cities are increasingly investing in restoring buildings and streetscapes to their former glory, acknowledging that the human-scale, ornate architecture of previous eras created more livable and emotionally satisfying urban environments. This movement recognizes that architecture isn't just about function but also about creating spaces that inspire, comfort, and connect people to their cultural heritage.
Australia is now experiencing its own version of this architectural awakening, as citizens and urban planners begin to question whether the modernist transformation of cities like Sydney was worth the cultural and aesthetic costs. The movement represents more than just nostalgia; it's a fundamental reconsideration of what makes cities worth living in and how architecture can contribute to human happiness and community cohesion. As this backlash gains momentum, it promises to reshape how Australians think about urban development and the preservation of their architectural heritage.
