PHILAS NSW Committee appear to have lost $3 MILLION in under a year?

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PHILAS NSW Committee appear to have lost $3 MILLION in under a year?

Post by Global Admin »

PHILAS HOUSE in Sydney has been sold.

Several members have passed on an official communication on this sale - oddly, dated tomorrow!

Several reasons are given for the move, but bottom line, PHILAS will move somewhere less central, (now downtown in Sydney city basically) and somewhere hopefully less expensive.

Location to be advised.

I'd heard Hurstville mentioned in recent months as a done deal, but that appears to be not the case now?

Glen


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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by David Benson »

I have been informed thst the rental fee after 3 months is $1000 per day,

Hopefully new premises can be found by then.

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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by Global Admin »

Selling agent this month described the premises as now 'vacant' -

https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/17-19-brisb ... 2017644426

They are now calling it 'Surry Hills'.

When top 2 floors were sold 7 years back for 2.8m in 2015, it was described as 'Darlinghurst'. That is what I always regarded it as.

https://www.colliers.com.au/en-au/experts/matt-pontey

Level 3 & 4, 17-19 Brisbane Street, Darlinghurst - $2,805,000
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by Ubobo.R.O. »

Philas House.
Philas House.
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by Global Admin »

Well, that is just a small part of PHILAS HOUSE.

From the selling agent site, linked above -

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Attachments
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by PhilasPublicity »

Good evening all,

I am happy to confirm Glen's advice.

There are many reasons for selling and it is a matter that has occupied the entire executive for a lot of the last 2 years.

As a member of the subcommittee (and as Publicity Officer for PHILAS) I can vouch for the fact that we spent hundreds of hours making sure we got this right.

This is, and as our President made clear in his statement, NOT the first time that PHILAS has moved.
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by PhilasPublicity »

4 REASONS FOR SELLING PHILAS HOUSE (as extracted from the President of PHILAS' Information Advice to member clubs & societies)

WHY SELL – THE FOUR REASONS

1 – THE BUILDING
The Brisbane Street building was built in 1958. It is a 64-year-old building. In recent
years we have noticed increasing annual expenditure on repairs and maintenance. As well,
the interior of PHILAS House on our 3 levels is dated and needs refurbishing. Many of the
fittings were the ones installed when we first moved in. Due to the condition of the building,
PHILAS could be looking at substantial costs to bring the building up to modern conditions.
Frankly, this is money that we simply do not have. To preserve our finances, we have
decided to sell our three floors.

2 - NOT FIT FOR USE
Modern technologies are difficult to install in a 65-year-old building. To conduct a major
auction business and other activities using modern technologies is difficult in PHILAS House.
It would be expensive to install what is needed.

There are things within the building that require updating, even though we are “grand-
fathered” from having to undertake upgrades. For example, providing a disability access
ramp, a complete renovation of the WC’s including the installation of a urinal and the
provision of a disabled WC.

Our activities require more space. Even a reconfiguration of the floor plan at PHILAS
House would at best be a temporary solution and anyway, we don’t have the funds to do it.

3 – OUR VOLUNTEERS
PHILAS is dependent on our volunteers. Without them we would not be where we are
today. We believe that having a modern workplace that complies with current standards is
not only a duty but an essential requirement that we need to be able to offer to our
volunteers.

4 – TIMES HAVE CHANGED
The internet. Emails. Online auctions. Watching a PHILAS auction live on your mobile
phone whilst you are at the beach. Live streaming. Cloud storage. Uploading of images.

These words simply did not exist in the 1970s but in 2022 they are things that we use and do
every day. To do those things properly in the best possible workplace, the decision to sell
PHILAS House became an even more important priority.

As our workplaces and the systems we use change, the need to be located within the
Sydney CBD also diminishes. With a changing population and new modern transport
infrastructure we are now able to look to other areas.
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by Global Admin »

David Benson wrote: 28 Oct 2022 19:56
I have been informed that the rental fee after 3 months is $1000 per day,

Hopefully new premises can be found by then.

David B.

Seems things are on the move with PHILAS and the $7000 or whatever a week penalty can be dodged.

Despite many PHILAS big shots being members here, I was forwarded this from a client today - so assume it is accurate - and add it for the record. Maybe those with more info can add an address later on.

'Philas is leaving its home in Surry Hills and moving to Silverwater mid-January. We will be adding in a new section of floor in the new location. As a result there is no set date for the next auction.'

For non Sydneysiders, Silverwater is near Parramatta in Western Sydney.

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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by David Benson »

Four weeks to add a new floor and move over the Xmas, New Year period,

They would need council approval before that can even be started,

I was told a few weeks ago that it is in Egerton Street, not sure of the number. It is in an Industrial Estate with a single floor. The plan is to build a mezzanine floor. Not sure if the library will be on which floor but presumably the ground floor as the weight of the fittings and the books would need the mezzanine floor to have strong support and strength of the concrete necessary for the weight required.

Egerton Street is towards the Victoria Road end.

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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by towradji »

My guess is near the intersection with Wetherill Street
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by Lakatoi 4 »

I see the three floors at Philas House sold for $7.3M.

As an aside, the two top two floors are occupied by the same management company that owns/runs some of the finest restaurants in Sydney.

The new location at Silverwater is very close to the geographic centre of Sydney and the Egerton St. area is predominately large factory units with plenty of room for Philas’ growing space requirements.

A new mezzanine floor will be installed as David said and will have to go through a design process then a Council DA will have to be submitted and approved. Being in the construction/development industry I know this sort of change is very straightforward but the timing of it will depend on the extent of any DA approval backlog within the local Council.

Hopefully it won’t take too long for Philas to be up and running again.
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by David Benson »

Tony,

your opinion of whether the Library should be on the Ground or Mezzanine floor,

p.s. Silverwater is much handier for me than Surry Hills, less distance, easier parking, shorter time, NO TOLLS to get there. It was over $ 40 return trip to Brisbane Street.

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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by Global Admin »

David Benson wrote: 17 Dec 2022 14:56
Not sure if the library will be on which floor but presumably the ground floor as the weight of the fittings and the books would need the mezzanine floor to have strong support and strength of the concrete necessary for the weight required.

Yes hope the collective brains at PHILAS understand this reality.

Margo has been involved first hand with new build large public libraries, and advises even skilled engineers overlook the massive weight books have, over a modest floor footprint. Floors need to be about 2 or 3 times as strong, as for the typical office chairs and tables load weights etc.

If Council plans have not gone in, and been approved for a DA etc, (most Council Building Departments totally close mid-Dec to mid-Jan) being moved in and operational by mid-Jan seems total PHILAS Fantasy Land. That is less than a month away.

Finding a builder and staff in Sydney these days is like winning lotto, even after all Council drawn out paperwork, and neighbour advice, and time for objections to be advertised to them etc has been processed. Nothing happens fast with Councils for such work. :!:

At least with about $7 million in the bank after stamp duty and fees from the sale of Brisbane Street, they hopefully seek paid, skilled, professional advice on all this stuff, and not try to muddle and flail about, keeping it largely 'in-house'. Like their train wreck public auctions lately. :shock:

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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977 has been sold for $7.3m.

Post by David Benson »

Are there any members of the Philas executive out there,

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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977, has been sold.

Post by Lakatoi 4 »

David Benson wrote: 17 Dec 2022 16:32 Tony,

your opinion of whether the Library should be on the Ground or Mezzanine floor,

p.s. Silverwater is much handier for me than Surry Hills, less distance, easier parking, shorter time, NO TOLLS to get there. It was over $ 40 return trip to Brisbane Street.

David B.
While there is certainly an additional cost for strengthening a mezzanine floor to cope with the weight of a library collection, it certainly isn’t a massive library by any means. The Philas and Royal Sydney Club libraries, various collections, etc. could be located along one side of a mezzanine rather than centrally without much of an issue. I assume that meeting rooms, a printing room, small kitchen, etc. might occupy the rest of the mezzanine level.

A lift would be required for access up to a mezzanine level but these days these aren’t that complicated or super expensive.

The ground floor would be more likely useful for short term storage of auction box and folder lots, a delivery area for lots arriving and being picked up/sent out, as well as an auction/viewing room and associated offices.

Of course this is pure guesswork but I’m sure the Philas Executive have considered their requirements in detail and planned a layout that suits.
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Re: PHILAS house in Sydney, bought in 1977 has been sold for $7.3m.

Post by David Benson »

Tony,

it was mentioned that there are 4 parking spots included. Street parking is available and presumably arrangements can be made for additional parking on weekends when the other tenants offices would be closed.

I don't know what the weight of the compactuses that Philas uses but they definitely would need extra concrete thickness,


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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

When the planned purchase of a building in Hurstville fell through, I suggested to some members of the Executive Committee to look at industrial sites in Silverwater and surrounding suburbs. Each of them were against the idea.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by meisterstempel »

Why would a DA be required? Is there a proposed change of use for the new facility that would be inconsistent with the current zoning?

Any structural or building modifications would only require a building permit, much less onerous than a development application.
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

It was mentioned to me that the building would need approval for teaching facilities.

I have no idea if that would need DA approval, more likely for Police Checks if minors are involved.

Philas does have a Youth Group but I have been informed that it may be disbanded.

I am sure a member of the Executive Committee would be able to answer all of the questions.

Where is the Publicity Officer,

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Allanswood »

The building sounds like it has a high internal ceiling which would allow the addition of an internal mezzanine floor, something that would not be noticed from the outside (such as adding a 2nd storey to the structure).

That could easily be built in a few weeks.

So it sounds like some sort of 'warehouse' construction? Very similar to the building I work in.... and we had a mezzanine added to store our archives (because the building quickly became too small). It covers a third of the building. And is an almighty pain in the neck!

Personally I would have kept looking for something big enough for Philas on the one level that required no major construction. Lugging stuff up and down stairs, even if you get a lift installed feels so cumbersome.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

Allanswood,

Firstly, most of the properties in Silverwater that were for sale were properties with long leases. There have been no properties for sale with a mezzanine in the last few months. I have been checking at least once a week for the past few months.



Secondly, Philas mentioned that they wanted about 1000 to 1500 square metres which would have been much more expensive because of the value of the land.

Because of the time restraints they required something that was available immediately,

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

A new message from Philas Webmaster,

Philas is leaving its home in Surry Hills and moving to Silverwater mid-January. We will be adding in a new section of floor in the new location.

As a result there is no set date for the next auction. We will let you know as soon as a decision has been made.
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

If any member has any comments about paying and picking up purchases downstairs after the last Philas sale could they let me know.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

Has anyone been informed of the street number in Egerton Street, Silverwater.

I checked Google for properties sold but all had leases for part of the building or existing mezzanine floors,

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Pampstamp »

David
Being in the game my guess would be this one.
22 EGERTON STREET,

https://www.realcommercial.com.au/sold/property-22-egerton-s ... -504142011

Recently sold with vacant possession and lease expiring in May 23 it maybe be vacant already!! :D
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

I was told the figure paid was around 4.5m so that one fits nicely-

Last Sold
$4,600,000
20 Sep 2022

https://www.onthehouse.com.au/property/nsw/silverwater-2128/ ... 8-12630108

What PHILAS will do with ¬$3m is the worrying thought!
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Pampstamp »

Global Administrator wrote: 22 Dec 2022 23:47
What PHILAS will do with ¬$3m is a worrying thought!
Here's a thought - maybe PAY someone (or2) to manage there auctions a little better!! :lol: :lol:
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

Don't be silly! 8-)

I might then see my invoice from several months back. :roll: :roll: :roll:

I was advised their budget was a MILLION to build a Mezzanine floor. Seems the building already has one, from agent write up, so go figger.

Agent stated - • An additional 236m² mezzanine, not included in total size

You can build a VERY nice new family house for a few $100,000.

https://www.rawsonhomes.com.au/blog-pages/2021/08-aug/cost-of-building-sydney

My old friend Les Winick took me on a personal tour of the Collectors Club Of Chicago building once.

A lovely 'brownstone' terrace in Downtown Chicago. That has a library that would make PHILAS look like a poor relation etc.

Why a large imposing existing suburban residence for $5-6 million or so, ready to use, with elevators etc already installed, was not considered, who knows? Being in an Industrial slum like Silverwater certainly has its drawbacks.

Rodney Perry ran his auctions when I entered this business, from this modest slum RAVENSWOOD in inner city Ivanhoe - these sort of classy looking buildings would suit PHILAS well for meetings and Library etc - not quite sure why they needed an industrial factory? They've had a year to think on options.

Image

This kind of place in Dulwich Hill for a few $m with dual street access would be very flexible for Philas type use I'd imagine?

It just takes a tiny bit of thinking outside the box. :!:

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

Or this kind of huge place in inner city Burwood for around same price as they paid for the bleak warehouse.

Heaps of parking. Classy place to hold meeting and auction viewings etc, level access, and heaps of room for Library etc. Not sure if Council would have any issues, but small Philas club gatherings are hardly Frat Party central! They could always ask first.

LOTS of old Churches are being sold off that of course have approval for public gatherings et.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

ALL over Sydney Churches are being sold off.

This one below in Castlecrag, near Buses to City, and also Chatswood, was sold this year for about 3 Million. WAY less than Silverwater cost. Easy parking, looks nice, and use approved for public gatherings and meetings etc. Loos already on site etc.

https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-castlecrag-139193999

PERFECT places for outfits like PHILAS, if folks are able to think outside the box a little.

Having a club meeting or Auction just a few miles from CBD, in an easy to access, nice classy, leafy, flat location - versus a factory building in an Industry slum is a no brainer really. The mere thought of walking around THERE at night will see very poor attendances I suspect - rapidly escalating the withering and dying of PHILAS - already well underway of course. :!:

PHILAS are NOT Christoph Gaertner. They do not need a Boeing warehouse to operate in. Their last 2 auctions could have had viewing and sale in my lounge room they were so small. The Committee appear to have lost sight of WHAT they actually need, and what NSW COLLECTORS (who 'own' their funds) would prefer.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

Pampstamp,

I saw that but it states

Leased until May 2023
An additional 236m² mezzanine
although that fits in with spaces for 4 cars.

Possibly they want to increase the size of the mezzanine floor.

I repeat there must be some members of the Executive who reads Stampboards knows all the answers and should post here.

By the way the the Publicity Officer is now a Vice President of Philas.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by GraniteSA »

The grapevine said original idea was to have enough space to hold national exhibitions. Usually about 300 frames plus dealer stands.
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Allanswood »

In that case Silverwater would not do, there is NO daytime weekday parking other than 4 spaces. Its an industrial zone.


If it is 22 Edgerton as suggested above, then its just a huge shed at the moment and will need a million or more to insulate, renovate and fitout.

And I don't see 4 car spaces, maybe 2 or 3. It literally just a huge garage.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

where are the volunteers going to park, it is not handy to public transport.

Talking about volunteers, they will be scarcer in the future as many of the current volunteers are elderly and some of them are not happy with the way that certain people behave towards them.

After the last sale most of the team of volunteers that normally stay and help with the distribution and accounts had departed,

It has never been envisaged to hold an exhibition at Philas House,

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

Allanswood wrote: 23 Dec 2022 08:10 In that case Silverwater would not do, there is NO daytime weekday parking other than 4 spaces. Its an industrial zone.


If it is 22 Edgerton as suggested above, then its just a huge shed at the moment and will need a million or more to insulate, renovate and fitout.

And I don't see 4 car spaces, maybe 2 or 3. It literally just a huge garage.


Typical of PHILAS - zero big picture vision for the future.

Let's spend $4.3 Million on a freezing tin shed, in an Industrial slum, in the middle of nowhere, that we need to spend an extra million on, to have a tin shed with a mezzanine we do not really need for our very fast shrinking membership. End Cost - $5.5 million for a tin shed, in a terrible area. Total short sighted Stupidity.

INSTEAD of buying a respectable inner city ex-Church building, for HALF that cost, with perfect features in place already, for what they need, with good parking and location.

I've visited SAPHIL House in Adelaide (S.A. version of PHILAS) - within the CBD - (an ex-house there) and took part in an Auction there - a quite new home for SAPHIL - tons of room for Auctions and meetings and displays, and for storage of all the APF Exhibition frames etc. No drafty tin sheds there. :!: :!:

Has ANYONE from the PHILAS Committee ever been down there to look at it, to get some very relevant ideas? Of COURSE NOT! Let's buy an overpriced tin shed instead. :evil: :evil: :evil:


SAPHIL inaugural auction crowd wide shot showing excellent day-night lighting in place 25-6-17..JPG
SAPHIL auction 6-17c..JPG
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Allanswood »

If it is 22 Edgerton (only an if), then this is what it looks like. And if so, then exactly what I speculated it would look like.

The pallet stacking bays are all gone, as it was a warehouse. So at least the floor is solid.

How many parking spaces?

I don't want to be jumping at shadows, but no one else is giving us a heads up. Why?

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Pampstamp »

Global Administrator wrote: 23 Dec 2022 21:23
in an Industrial slum, in the middle of nowhere, that we need to spend an extra million on, to have a tin shed :

If indeed it’s the correct purchase by Philas, the building may not be fit for purpose without spending considerable dollars!! And yes I agree better options may exist - but

I think you need to get out of the Crag a little more!! :lol: :lol:

The location is smack dead in the middle of Sydney a stone’s throw away from Sydney Olympic Park (East) and Parramatta CBD (West)

Very accessible by car or bus

No zoning issues here as most councils and neighbours object to anything even a little out of the norm.

Try running anything in a residential area and you will soon see. (places of worship have always been exempt)

As for parking – plenty off-street available 7 days a week.

Only restrictions are 2 hour limit when major events at Sydney Olympic Park occur
Industrial slum – middle of nowhere-wow! Most sales are closer to $5-7million! :D :roll:

Very sought after and expensive industrial area in the geographical middle of Sydney.
Sydney isn’t Adelaide!!! :roll:
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

I would not call Silverwater an Industrial slum. It is an industrial area but definitely not a slum.

The property is within walking distance of the new suburb of Newington which was originally established as the Athlete's Village for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

I wonder what it would cost to demolish the existing building and build a specifically designed property.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

Pampstamp wrote: 23 Dec 2022 22:36
No zoning issues here as most councils and neighbours object to anything even a little out of the norm.

Try running anything in a residential area and you will soon see. (places of worship have always been exempt)

'You will soon see ... WHAT??'


Someone like PHILAS, buying a now not viable Church would have no real issues with Councils or residents.

The $3m Church at Castlecrag highlighted above, (as is common all over the state) was used non-stop all year for all kinds of Pilates and dance and ballet and Gym and similar activities etc, in the huge, flat, polished wood floored sideroom, all with no objections from anyone. A PERFECT venue for PHILAS, as stated.

5 or 10 pensioners meeting inside now and again, sipping tea and coffee, is hardly a 24/7 Disco Party Drug Fuelled Rave Event. :)

At WAY under HALF the price of the corrugated roof Silverwater tin shed, the $3m church like the one I show above, would be ready to use almost immediately. Tailor-made for PHILAS. No extra $ Million to spend up front either, before it can be used effectively. 'Put lipstick on a pig, and you still have a PIG"

AND the $2.5-$3 million saved could go into a 5% term deposit account to fund useful things in the hobby in NSW. That is a $125,000-$150,000 a year extra kitty right there alone. :!: :!: :!:

No parking issues, well lit, tiled roof, leafy, attractive inside and out, and a warm welcoming feeling inside, and close to buses to the city and Chatswood.

I can bet it simply did not occur to anyone on Committee to even LOOK for such an obvious option, closer to city, rather than a souless and ugly tin shed, in an Industrial area.

They have totally over-engineered and overpaid for something WAY larger than really needed, that is simply a meeting rooms venue, containing a library, as is SAPHIL in Adelaide, and the Collectors Club Of Chicago etc, which both work absolutely perfectly in a residential area.

That sort of warm and welcoming venue would encourage FAR higher collector attendances than a breezy corrugated roof tin shed. And hence a far longer future for PHILAS. Mark my words. Total no brainer.

Maybe years down the track, when attendance tapers off to a barely recordable trickle, due to this truly uninviting location, and it is sold, they might get much of their money back. How does that assist philately in NSW?

The current Committee will be long gone by then. :shock: :roll:

LOTS of us here financially supported PHILAS with Donations, and the 'Buy A Brick For Philas House' and masses of commission on buying and selling stamps. I paid for a LOT of Bricks at PHILAS house.

image5.jpg
'Put a million dollars of lipstick on a pig, and you still have a PIG"
'Put a million dollars of lipstick on a pig, and you still have a PIG"
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

Glen,

according to their Missing in Action "Publicity Officer" the sale of Philas House and moving to new premises had nothing to do with the Meeting room but for other reasons.

1 – THE BUILDING
The Brisbane Street building was built in 1958. It is a 64-year-old building. In recent
years we have noticed increasing annual expenditure on repairs and maintenance. As well,the interior of PHILAS House on our 3 levels is dated and needs refurbishing. Many of the fittings were the ones installed when we first moved in. Due to the condition of the building, PHILAS could be looking at substantial costs to bring the building up to modern conditions.

Frankly, this is money that we simply do not have. To preserve our finances, we have
decided to sell our three floors.

2 - NOT FIT FOR USE
Modern technologies are difficult to install in a 65-year-old building. To conduct a major
auction business and other activities using modern technologies is difficult in PHILAS House. It would be expensive to install what is needed.

There are things within the building that require updating, even though we are “grand-
fathered” from having to undertake upgrades. For example, providing a disability access
ramp, a complete renovation of the WC’s including the installation of a urinal and the
provision of a disabled WC.

Our activities require more space. Even a reconfiguration of the floor plan at PHILAS
House would at best be a temporary solution and anyway, we don’t have the funds to do it.

3 – OUR VOLUNTEERS
PHILAS is dependent on our volunteers. Without them we would not be where we are
today. We believe that having a modern workplace that complies with current standards, is not only a duty but an essential requirement that we need to be able to offer to our
volunteers.

4 – TIMES HAVE CHANGED
The internet. Emails. Online auctions. Watching a PHILAS auction live on your mobile
phone whilst you are at the beach. Live streaming. Cloud storage. Uploading of images.

These words simply did not exist in the 1970s but in 2022 they are things that we use and do every day. To do those things properly in the best possible workplace, the decision to sell PHILAS House became an even more important priority.

As our workplaces and the systems we use change, the need to be located within the
Sydney CBD also diminishes. With a changing population and new modern transport
infrastructure we are now able to look to other areas. [/size]

I also heard mention on the grapevine that one of the other reasons (which has not been mentioned) was that the owners of the other two floors had been putting in huge claims for repairs, new roof, new windows, etc. and that Philas was liable for a large amount of money if they were not made.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

The Philas Alleged 'Publicity Officer' wrote:
4 – TIMES HAVE CHANGED

The internet. Emails. Online auctions. Watching a PHILAS auction live on your mobile
phone whilst you are at the beach. Live streaming. Cloud storage. Uploading of images.

These words simply did not exist in the 1970s but in 2022 they are things that we use and do every day.

These things can be done on a SINGLE laptop in 2023. Can be done from someone's bedroom - literally. No vast drafty shed needed. :roll:

Getting out of a Body Corp situation in an ageing building - of course is a very savvy idea. Totally agree. I was President of a Body Corp until recently, and the bills from OTHER members there, or the large $$$ maintenance issues to common areas, and compliance issues can be terrifying. Which is why anyone sane, owns buildings outright. :idea:

It is WHERE PHILAS moved to, that is in question here. They made a terrible choice IMHO. Was this move voted on and approved by member Clubs of PHILAS in NSW? It is a mega million investment - if not - why not? If the Committee chose Dubbo, as that is 'more central' in NSW - is that just as OK?

These specified issues were known for years before the sale. Nothing new or sudden occurred here. :!:

This Victorian era nonsense of providing for a huge 'print room' area is just that. Dickensian era NONSENSE. PHILAS do NOT need that in 2023.

PHILAS have very recently been shown how their occasional auction catalogue and newsletter can be handed or emailed as a computer file, to a professional outfit on a Friday, and the journals mailed globally on Monday at WAY LESS actual money than they cost PHILAS now. I repeat, at LESS COST, AND A TON FASTER.

LESS COST, AND FASTER, AND MORE EFFICIENT, AND PROFESSIONAL. Heaven forbid. The Committee cannot have that - let's spend millions more of collector monies than needed, to house this antiquated space hogging hangover from the year 1900, to use just a few times a year. Costing more each time it is used than it should if handled professionally, AND taking up a valuable space footprint in this huge corrugated roof shed, at the same time. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Yes it IS near year 2023, but no-one has told PHILAS this, that much is very clear. I've been advised it is like a sheltered workshop from Dickensian times now, hand printing and hand collating, and hand stapling, hand licking on of old stamps, and hand inserting these few times a year emissions, which takes them WEEKS, not a day. :shock:

'What would the Volunteers do then?' was the short response I understand, when 21st Century reality was outlined to them . :roll: :roll: :roll:

OMG.

Dubbo is far more central for all NSW member clubs. Lower real estate prices too.  :-)
Dubbo is far more central for all NSW member clubs. Lower real estate prices too. :-)
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

David Benson wrote: 23 Dec 2022 08:23
Talking about volunteers, they will be scarcer in the future as many of the current volunteers are elderly and some of them are not happy with the way that certain people behave towards them.

After the last sale most of the team of volunteers that normally stay and help with the distribution and accounts had departed,

It has never been envisaged to hold an exhibition at Philas House,

David B.

A fact of our hobby demographic. Pure Common sense. PHILAS needed to greatly downsize if any common sense were used - not upsize. :!:

What are the member numbers NOW versus 20 years back? Even 10 years back? We all know the answer. Well the smarter ones do, that look at facts, and not live in the past.

Yes the bad treatment of Volunteers has been a known issue at PHILAS. One regular volunteer I know well, has tossed it in totally, after the rudeness and abuse to him there over quite some time. Sad, but a reality there it seems clear. Have heard several similar stories to what David Benson mentions.

The Train Wreck of recent 'Auctions' is another well-known story, along similar lines. Blame the stupid bidders. Take no responsibility for ongoing cock-ups. Moving location will not change this sad culture sadly. :shock:

If anyone has any doubts about our core age demographic, look at this shot I took at a SAPHIL auction 2 or 3 years back - a very well-known member of the trade phoned me today to make that point -

Image
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

Glen,

re my comment -.
some of them are not happy with the way that certain people behave towards them

It is only two people that behave badly towards volunteers and the public.

The other members of the Philas Executive behave with dignity and are hard-working.

These two have only been members of Philas for the past few years but have given Philas a bad name for their attitudes.

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

David Benson wrote: 24 Dec 2022 17:05 Glen,

re my comment -.
some of them are not happy with the way that certain people behave towards them
It is only two people that behave badly towards volunteers and the public.

These two have only been members of Philas for the past few years but have given Philas a bad name for their attitudes.

I have no idea how many of them are involved David. The Michael Nibbs 'Auction Manager' person who stuffed up my bids at recent sales is fairly new there I understand, and of course denied and still denies all responsibility for his own train wreck actions.

An email to me from him confirming a huge bid I made was actually never actioned, and the lot sold for $100s less, to a sole room bid. LOSING PHILAS a good deal of money, and annoying me. Of course, it was all MY fault they stuffed up badly according to him. Learnt his skills from Scott Morrison I think! 'That's not MY job'.

We have Duty Of Care to members to warn them of this cowboy outfit. They are cheekily charging 20% David Feldman level buyer fees for the online sales, but offering Coober Pedy Stamp Club service. :roll:

Someone else then, a Mark Bailey (also pretty new I gather?) leapt into action to 'sort out that mess', made an appointment he never kept, and never cancelled, to bring the material over, messing up my day as I re-sked an important meeting, and have heard nothing since, and STILL never seen an invoice they claim I had been sent. ZERO monies to PHILAS. :roll:

I understand Mr Bailey is now a senior supremo there now, and was a part of the Silverwater Silo Committee. He may even be the Alleged Phantom 'PHILAS Publicity Officer' .. who really would know in there. Clearly the posts above are correct, as they are not being refuted by this memberm or the several other PHILAS Executive who are members here.

So again I ask - were the many PHILAS Clubs asked to vote on this move at any point? Or was this a mega million decision by a tiny Committee - with apparent newbies among it?

So it will be more than two PHILAS supremos then David, as the friend of mine above was berated by someone senior in who has been there for many decades.

Another good friend wanted to consign a large quantity of high value material to PHILAS for auction a couple months back, to do his bit to support philately, and was aggressively abused and berated, by another person, I know to have been there for decades, and he sent it all off somewhere else.

Loss to PHILAS $1000s in buyer/seller commission just right there. No-one cares. Genius PR ambassadors. :twisted: :roll:

I know there are many wonderful folks involved, Ed Wolf is a very savvy chap etc, but there are also some horror stories.
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

Glen,

I did 25 years as a volunteer there from inception when I was the Auction Convenor until I had an argument with the President who was an accountant and decided it was his prerogative to check all lots and decided that only items from popular countries would be accepted and the rest returned to the vendors.

He even returned lots which had been described by Alf Campe on behalf of some of his old clients.

We did not use computers and we closed off bidding at 11AM on the Saturday not Thursday. The auctioneers sheets were written by hand and there were few problems. There was stress but we managed. At that time I was running a large business with many branches. I worked with Norm Hopson on the Friday night until about 10pm. I then drove him from Castelreagh Street and later from Surry Hills after the property was acquired to his house in Ashfield and then back to mine in Vaucluse. Both of us were back at Philas House by 8AM.

I also handled the payments, mostly by cash and took the cash home, bundled it and took it the bank which was opposite my office in Enfield. I had to write the cheques onto a special form which I did at work.

When I complained to some members of the Executive about the problems of the last sale, I was told that the two people involved had been working very hard and were under stress as they had computer problems. I found out later that a member of the Executive was in the inner office and would have heard the arguments going on outside. When I complained to him, all he said was that I should have helped,

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by tapstamp »

David, we all appreciate your work for Philas, but why do you always have to have the "Last Word" Regards Tom
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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

tapstamp,

just adding additional information,


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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by David Benson »

Glen,

it states,
The link to our volunteers' page is at the bottom of this page.
I could not find it,

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Re: PHILAS house Sydney, bought 1977, has been sold for $7.3m

Post by Global Admin »

David Benson wrote: 25 Dec 2022 18:36 Glen,

it states,
The link to our volunteers' page is at the bottom of this page.
I could not find it,

David B.

No comment. :)
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