Destroyed the feel of community : Have you ever walked through your neighborhood and felt like something was… off? Maybe a cozy old cottage was replaced by a glass-and-steel “fortress,” or a public walkway suddenly felt like a private gauntlet.
Well, in one of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs, a single architectural feature—a staircase—has become the flashpoint for a massive debate. Locals are claiming this “luxury upgrade” has officially destroyed the feel of community.
Let’s get into the tea. ☕
The Staircase Heard ‘Round the World (or at least the Eastern Suburbs)
Sydney is no stranger to wild real estate stories. We’ve seen “harry potter” cupboards under stairs renting for $400 a week and tiny garages selling for millions. But this latest trend isn’t just about money; it’s about the “vibe.”
In a quiet, leafy street where neighbors used to chat over fences, a new development has introduced a staircase design that many say acts more like a barrier than a bridge. It’s sleek, it’s expensive, and according to the locals, it’s incredibly hostile.
Why a Staircase?
You might think, “It’s just a way to get from floor A to floor B, what’s the big deal?” In urban design, the way we build our entrances and walkways dictates how we interact with our neighbors. When you replace open, accessible paths with “fortified” or overly exclusive staircases, you send a clear message: “Stay Out.” This is the core of why residents feel this trend has destroyed the feel of community.
The Problem with “Fortress Architecture”
We are seeing a massive shift in Sydney’s high-end real estate. The trend is moving away from “neighborhood-friendly” designs toward what experts call “defensible space.”
- Privacy Over People: High walls and secluded staircases prioritize the owner’s privacy at the absolute expense of street-level connection.
- Aesthetic Arrogance: These designs often ignore the heritage and “look” of the existing street, sticking out like a sore thumb.
- The “Shadow” Effect: Large, imposing structures literally cast shadows over communal spaces where kids used to play or neighbors used to walk their dogs.
Gentrification or Alienation?
The phrase “destroyed the feel of community” is being thrown around a lot on TikTok and Instagram right now. But what does it actually mean?
It’s that feeling when you no longer know the person living next to you because their house is designed to be a bunker. It’s when the local “shortcut” is blocked off by a new staircase that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi villain’s lair.
The Viral Reaction
Social media has been ruthless. Here’s what the internet is saying:
- “Sydney real estate is officially just Minecraft for billionaires now.”
- “We used to have neighborhoods; now we just have collections of private investments.”
- “That staircase looks like it’s designed to keep the ‘poors’ away, even though it’s on a public-facing street.”
How This Trend Affects Property Values
Ironically, while these homeowners are spending hundreds of thousands on “exclusive” designs, they might be hurting the long-term value of the area. A suburb is only “affluent” and “desirable” if people actually want to live there. If a street becomes cold, silent, and unfriendly, the “prestige” begins to fade.
A community isn’t just a collection of houses; it’s the interaction between them. When you’ve destroyed the feel of community, you’ve taken away the very thing that made the suburb special in the first place.
What Can We Do?
If you’re a homeowner or a developer, how do you balance luxury with locality?
- Keep it Open: Use materials like glass or spaced timber that allow for light and visibility.
- Respect the Line: Ensure your staircases and entrances don’t encroach on the “psychological” space of the sidewalk.
- Consult the Neighbors: It sounds old-school, but asking “Hey, does this look okay to you?” can save a lot of drama.
The Verdict
The Sydney staircase controversy is a wake-up call. As we move into 2026, the “Fortress” look is officially OUT. People are craving connection, “third places,” and a sense of belonging.
Building a beautiful home is great, but if your design has destroyed the feel of community, is it really a home? Or just a very expensive cage?
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