A new public park in Milsons Point, Sydney, is to be named after the Australian architect Harry Seidler. Penelope Seidler, the wife of the late architect, will officially open the park at a private function at 7 pm on 10 November.
The park commemorates Harry Seidler’s life and the significant contribution he made to architecture in Australia and internationally – including Sydney projects such as Rose Seidler House, Australia Square, MLC Centre, Grosvenor Place, the Horizon and the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.
In a prime location, the park is adjacent to Harry Seidler and Associates’ office, overlooks Luna Park and has a 180-degree view of west Sydney Harbour, while also creating a forecourt to Harry Seidler’s Sulman-award winning office building. The location of Harry’s Park also has a personal family connection for Penelope Seidler as her father, the late Clive R. Evatt QC, grew up nearby in Kirriblli. Their house was demolished for the construction of the Harbour Bridge.
Harry Seidler and Associates is responsible for the design and development of the park, which was a gift from Penelope Seidler to the people of Sydney. John Curro, from Harry Seidler and Associates, designed the park using a palette of elements and materials that were common to Harry’s work, while a vibrant blue metal sculpture, Tracing Light – for Harry 3D/4D, was designed for the park by the renowned Australian artist Robert Owen.
North Sydney Council contributed $150,000 towards the construction of Harry’s Park and is working in tandem with the Luna Park Reserve Trust and Luna Park Sydney to ensure the ongoing existence and maintenance of the new public park.