Sydney’s best chance at laneway culture is not even a lane
It’s Llankelly Place, in the heart of Kings Cross, and it’s about to seriously change.
Running between Darlinghurst Road and Orwell Street, Llankelly Place doesn’t yell hip inner city life. More cheap commercial real estate. It’s the sort of place where someone’s peeled back the security grill on a window, then the metal below, and then punched through the window – and the proprietors have just left it that way.
Jo Holder’s Cross Arts has opened a new project space on the place. The franchise-ready hot-dog/sausage emporium on the corner of Llankelly Place and Darlinghurst Road is gone, replaced by gelato shop (Stella) that seems to already be up for lease (with all equipment for sale). Down the other end is the Doma beer cafe.
Halfway down the place is a huge new $60m Frank Stanisic designed development, the Village Centre. It opens late January, 2010, though it’s tucked behind security fences for the moment. With a Harris Farm market and 16 other retailers, including the one providore missing in the neighbourhood, a fishmonger, it’s a potential catalyst for the place.
It’s the highest density urban neighbourhood in the country, and it’s loaded with a mixed residential, entertainment and increasingly business focus, so balancing competing demands must be challenging. But does the council even have the resources to support this kind of growth?
Llankelly Place features a series of striking light installations, designed by Peter McGregor (below pic taken from MW Architects’s website) – the light screens shift slowly from red on Darlinghurst Road to green at the Springfield Gardens. But since installation, the light bulbs have rarely been replaced.
I know it’s probably quite, ahem, noughties to talk about laneway culture – and in Australia, it suggests a bit of a defensive Melbourne-Sydney thing. But really, laneway culture is part of high density city life, and that fine resolution street life is really missing in Sydney.
By the end of January 2010 Llankelly Place will hardly be recognisable as there are some great things happening and new eateries about to open. The shop at the top of the lane across from the now “for lease” gelato shop has been leased and will be a travel agent. Hunky Dory Deli and Fish shop are under new management and are about to undergo a small makeover. Across the laneway there is a gourmet sandwich shop due to open and next door to that a fantastic, funky new Espresso bar that should be operating by mid January. With Harris Farm markets due to open shortly Llankelly place will be a great “new” place to hang out and grab a coffee or some food.
Jason
4 Jan 10 at 5:03 am
Given my apartment backs onto Lankelly Place I can’t wait for these changes to happen. The Harris Farms market sign is currently just a tease… the addition of a seafood providore (finally!) to the hood will be most welcome.
The Cape Cafe will either close or change hands (yet again) as of this weekend, according to the current manager. And I’ve heard a rumor that the wine bar that was set to open has stalled and is now up for lease which, if true, is a real shame and likely due to the efforts of one exceedingly vocal local opponent (for god’s sake – if you want quiet move to the ‘burbs, not the Cross).
Debbie
14 Jan 10 at 2:07 pm
Just thought everyone should also know about the hot little vintage shop that has opened on the lane called LADY MUCK.!!
Cinderella
15 Jan 10 at 5:49 pm
also there is another beautiful vintage shop ‘Co Co Collectables’ at the end of the lane
Cinderella
16 Jan 10 at 1:59 pm
Hi all, yes Llankelly place is changing for the better!! Everything mentioned above is happening and the area will be a great place to hang out in and grab some food and a coffee and do some shopping with LADY MUCK, Llankelly Espresso, the little big sandwich shop, the new wine bar (which is’nt up for lease) and hunky deli/dory all either already operating or due to be by the end of January. Harris Farm is of course still going ahead but a little behind schedule. As an owner / operator of one of the above I can assure you all that we are working together to make Llankelly place great!!
jase
16 Jan 10 at 3:03 pm
I read somewhere that the Harris Farm was supposed to be opening on Australia Day which has come and gone. Does anyone know what is happening here?
Polly
1 Feb 10 at 7:12 pm
they say 16th of feb, but im not holding my breathe..
Cinderella
2 Feb 10 at 4:02 pm
I walked up Llankelly Place on Saturday and popped into a few of the shops that are opened now and one of the owners told me they are having a red carpet of sorts on Sunday, 14 Feb in the street to celebrate the renovation of the street with new shops/cafe/bar etc. Bar is featured in today’s Good Living, sandwich shop opening this week and Harris Farms Sunday or next week. So if you are local pop along and support the new street. I’m loving this new aspect to the village.
karen
9 Feb 10 at 12:28 pm
Great blog as usual and thanks for your comments Jase :)
I will make an effort to visit this weekend on my usual Sunday stroll esp. as I’ve been meaning to check out the little big sandwich shop for some time now.
Strawbs
11 Feb 10 at 9:02 pm
popped into the new espresso bar ( i think its called llankelly espresso ) this morning for a coffee – very friendly owner and great fitout, coffee was excellent too. loving the “new” llankelly lane, its about time!
Steve
12 Feb 10 at 6:35 pm
Had a peek at the red carpet event yesterday, lots of peolpe which was great to see. With all the shops opening it looks like Llamkelly will finally be a place we can all enjoy. The espresso bar is called Llankelly Espresso, have been getting my morning fix there for 3 weeks now and the coffee has gone from a 6/10 to atleast a 8/10. I agree the owner is great and its refreshing to see a barista who doesnt think he is some sort of superstar. Also had a drink at the wine bar a few nights ago – great atmosphere if a little expensive though…. Come on locals get behind all these new businesses.
allison
15 Feb 10 at 4:12 pm
The Newest addition to Llankelly place
You don’t have to be a backpacker to know that the laneways of Kings Cross contain some dining discoveries you could classify as “cheap hidden treasures”. Bamboo Dumpling Bar, a short stroll down Llankelly Place, is one of these local institutions that’s frequented by those in the know and those lucky enough to stumble past it.
The best bits of Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine are the focus here, encompassing the namesake dumplings, as well as rice paper rolls, spring rolls, skewers, pho, and house specials like Peking duck pancakes and chicken sticky rice wrapped in a pandang leaf. It’s just the kind of light food you could have for lunch, an afternoon snack, or an evening pig-out.
Michael
14 Mar 10 at 1:57 pm