Did you use to watch this Channel 10 Gen-Y TV series, which filmed in Coogee from 2013 to 2015? The show, titled Wonderland, was set in a beachside apartment on Baden Street. The famous building, however, might soon be demolished if Randwick City Council approves the development application.
Lodged on 2 Oct 2020, DA/523/2020 will entail knocking down the existing structures, which will be replaced with a 4-storey residential flat and basement car parking.
Residents, however, are objecting to the demolition, with some locals suggesting to save the Wonderland building by turning it into heritage-listed.
“What a dreadful shame it would be to lose this magnificent building with all of its unique character and charm. Coogee is already crowded with non-descript concrete boxes, making these extraordinary gems even more critical to preserving the history and integrity of our lovely beachside suburb. Coogee’s recent transformation is not sensitive to its village vibe. Please do not demolish this building,” one local said.
The Wonderland building was built in 1922 for the family of garage operator William Duncan McLeod. Featured with the gorgeous view of the Coogee beach, this house is easily recognizable and can be spotted from the water for its blue and white bay windows. It also has two distinctive sandstone pillars on the front door.
This apartment was originally called the Dunvegan Flats after the Scotland castle of the Clan MacLeod (no relation to the McLeods).
By the 1940s, however, the property became a five-apartment site owned by the Whiteman family. In 1980, the Whitemans sold the house to the Newton family but they remained in the penthouse flat until 1989.
In 2013, Channel 10 rented the house for their Gen-Y dramedy. When the show ended, the Wonderland apartment became a tourist attraction and a site for selfies.
“Having lived on Baden St for 11 years, I would hate to see this classic building disappear. It really helps add colour and vibrance to Coogee, something we don’t get with the modern concrete constructs, and Coogee would be poorer if it were to go,” another resident said in a message to the planning authority.
Meanwhile, a design panel review will submit its assessment on the planned demolition and development on 9 Nov 2020 whilst a public notification was provided and opened for 14 days.
