An underground tunnel in Sydney's St. James train station, where (St James Station), has slept for nearly a century, will be built into a public hot spot with bars, restaurants and retail outlets, according to a new plan by government, New York.
Built in the 1920s, under the blueprint of government, the dusty, cold, damp tunnel under the bustling heart of Sydney for nearly a century will become a new tourist attraction in Sydney.
Sydney CBD underground tunnel. (new state government)
Sydney CBD underground tunnel. (new state government)
The 6000-square-meter underground space was originally intended to be used as part of the (Northern Beaches) railway link between Sydney's east and north beaches, but it was abandoned during the Great Depression. During World War II, the tunnel was transformed into a bomb shelter, but it was never used.
The tunnel extends below Hyde Park (Hyde Park) to the north over the (Cahill Expressway) entrance of Cahill Highway on the (Macquarie St) side of McGregory Street.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, New State Transportation Director Constance (Andrew Constance) said: "spaces like the St. James Underground Tunnel are rare. Around the world, hidden space is being transformed into a unique experience, and we hope St. James Station will be part of it. " "We want the best in the world to come up with the best ideas."
Despite the creepy tunnel and legend that ghosts haunt distant corners, Constance said it was a "hidden treasure land" that could generate A $2 million a year for government.
Constance said the idea of rebuilding the St. James' tunnel came from the central train station in New York, where there is a world-famous underground oyster bar, and the abandoned tram tunnel in Washington is now an art gallery.
This is not the first time that the St. James Tunnel has been the focus of Sydney's attention. In 2007, government, a new state, wanted to build a repository there to provide recycled water for buildings in downtown Sydney, but the plan was later put on hold.
Sydney-based train (Sydney Train) will manage the development with the assistance of international real estate agency Cibonne Ellis (CBRE), which will allow interested parties to submit letters of intent.
"there is no future," said Olsen (Leif Olsen), head of retail leasing at CBRE. "We will release news to our global networks throughout the United States, Europe and Asia to see what happens," he said.
The new state of government hopes to finalise the tunnel within 12 months.