Thursday, February 9, 2012

Highrise rendezvous.....!


I remember clearly back in the early 1980's the controversy surrounding the building of, at that time the Observation City Hotel, a 24 level hotel at Scarborough Beach planned by Alan Bond in anticipation of the visitors who would be pouring into Perth for the 1987 America's Cup challenge being held in Fremantle. It went ahead and was completed in 1986 despite a very intense public 'campaign against highrise beachfront development', these days the maximum height is eight levels (or 32mtrs above the natural ground level). The hotel was taken over by the Rendezvous group and is now known as the Rendezvous Observation City Hotel, it has a four and a half star rating and the reviews read anywhere between fantastic to tres ordinaire, I guess depending on what you're used to, the fact remains that the beachside rooms would have one of the most spectacular views you're likely to get anywhere in the world. Just for interest it was in 1983 that Alan Bond's team finally, after four previous attempts won the America's Cup challenge held in Fremantle, persevering little tycoon he was.....!! Taken yesterday from the cafe in the Rendevouz Observation City  Hotel......

31 comments:

  1. une belle architecture, surtout l'horloge
    Et merci pour ce paysage paradisiaque

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  2. Beautiful view! Hard to balance the desire for preserving beachfront and the views, with the "need/desire" for progress! We have the same problem where I live - near Virginia Beach...high rise hotels that offer gorgeous views, but block that same view for anyone else. I really do enjoy the history that you offer with your posts...thank you!

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  3. Ah yes, I remember it all too well as I was living in Perth in 1986 -1988. Personally I find the building rather ugly, but the views would be fantastic.

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  4. I'm enchanted by the beautiful beach and ocean water..... lovely photo, Grace!
    Back on track now after my trip to India!

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  5. I'd like to book a suite for next year if you please. I'll be using my American Depress card! Looks like a very nice place to stay and that ocean shot is magnifique!

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  6. We have the same debate here all the time relative to construction on the lakeshore.

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  7. Interesting information and wonderful shots.

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  8. Well, the view over the Mediterranean from the Hotel Prince de Galles in Menton is a big part of the reward for visiting Jilly. I can understand the opposition to high-rise beachfront development. One only has to look at Miami Beach.

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  9. Great looking place and the beach and water are breathtaking! Fantastic captures and, yes, I'd like to spend a long weekend there! Hope your week is going well, Grace! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  10. wow, I'd like to stay there sometime. That view is unbelievable. That water is like a sapphire!

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  11. Good we defend out unique places, but often we end up loving the things we fought - World Trade Center in NY was like that . . .


    Warm Aloha from Waikiki
    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } ( ° >

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  12. I'll take a room at the top and what a great view on the second shot.

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  13. Ah, yes, when we visited there we thought it stuck out like a sore thumb...
    Beautiful shots as always, Grace.

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  14. Yes the view is splendid but I have to agree with the opponents at the time. They've done that to most of the Mediterranean coast in France and I think they are like ugly scars. Thankfully, the Atlantic and Channel coasts for the most part have been spared... Sorry...

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  15. moi je suis d'accord pour lutter contre le béton intensif en bord de plage.

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  16. The architecture leaves a lot to be desired but the views look pretty spectacular.

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  17. Love the shot of the beach Grace but not a fan of this eyesore of a building at all!

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  18. Lovely views for sure, but I also think that building is a bit out of place in that location. I´m glad the rules changed.

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  19. my friends like Perth so much they decided to live there permamnently

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  20. I like the view, but the hotel itself is not much to look at. I think that's always the problem, it's so hard for architects to come up with designs that are timeless.

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  21. That's all very well if you wish to spend your life by the sea, with the sun shining all day..........





    Does Jealousy show....?

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  22. Our beach side properties are no doubt going through a steep decline in popularity since last year...but when you see a gorgeous beach like this, I can understand the pull :D

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  23. aha! a room with a view eh?!
    no wonder it's world class,
    i wish you could show us the interior sometime. ^0^

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  24. What a spectacular view! I see why the world is drawn to your blue-blue waters and sugar-white sand!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  25. Un tel observatoire est merveilleux, et je pense au plaisir que l'on doit prendre en buvant un café. Et puis, c'est aussi un excellent lieu de rendez-vous. Je pense à Cary Grant et Deborah Kherr qui s'étaient donnés rendez-vous en haut de l'Empire State Building dans le film "Elle et Lui"...

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  26. I'd happily join you there for a coffee Grace- wonderful post ;-)

    Chrissy from Manchester: a photo a day at Mancunian Wave

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  27. Great location, interesting building...

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  28. Look at the colour of the water in that pano! I'm so jealous, Grace!

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  29. I think awful constrution took place in the 80's everywhere. We have too many examples here. The bottom shot is lovely!

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