A hidden slice of history behind metal cladding on the old Spotlight building in Newcastle has sparked an online petition to save the former facade.
But it seems plans to demolish the former Marcus Clark & Co department store at 711 Hunter Street will go ahead, with City of Newcastle telling the Newcastle Herald its heritage significance was "significantly diminished" as it had been "substantially altered over time".
The building, which is being demolished to make way for two towers with 191 apartments and office space that will be leased by Newcastle Greater Mutual Group (NGM), had a 1920s facade, but the corner cupola and parapets of the original structure were removed in the 1960s.
Architecture firm Studio Prineas principal Eva-Marie Prineas wants the facade protected and incorporated into the future development.
"Until that metal cladding was removed there wasn't really any understanding of what was behind it, what the significance of it could possibly be and how intact it was," Ms Prineas said.
"As it's turned out, it's incredibly intact, which we think is an amazing opportunity to potentially look at incorporating it into the development.
"I don't think you have to choose between whether or not you keep history or look to the future, I think we can bring the two together."
On Tuesday, a Change.org petition launched by the firm had more than 285 signatures.
Ms Prineas said she was concerned about whether the building was properly assessed for its built heritage significance before demolition was approved.
The building is not listed on the NSW heritage register, but was part of Hunter Street's collection of ornate facades.
A spokesman for the landowner, Hunter Street Properties, maintains the former Marcus Clark & Co facade is not a recent discovery from a planning or heritage perspective.
He said the facade was investigated in 2022, before Hunter Street Properties owned the site, as part of a Statement of Heritage Impact prepared for a previous development application.
"The assessment considered the building's history and significance, surviving historic fabric, subsequent alterations, and the condition of the facade," the spokesman said.
He said the council considered the facade, including its potential retention and reuse, in its assessment of a 2022 development application before approving demolition of the existing buildings in October 2023.
The spokesman said Hunter Street Properties acquired the site in June 2024, about eight months after the demolition approval was granted.
The council approved a further application specifically for staged demolition in December 2025.
The spokesman for the landowner said Hunter Street Properties was now undertaking those approved works.
"The new development will also recognise the site's history through a range of heritage interpretation measures recommended by the heritage consultant," the spokesman said.
"These include heritage references incorporated into the new Hunter Street bus stop, reuse of salvaged timber, recycling of selected bricks and an inscribed or etched image of the original building within the Hunter Street pavement."
A City of Newcastle spokeswoman said heritage matters were assessed on their merits.
The council spokeswoman said the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel gave development consent for demolition and redevelopment of the building in October 2023, and also approved a subsequent application for a mixed-use development in June 2026.
"The former Marcus Clark building facade was considered as part of the heritage assessment of each application," the spokeswoman said.
"The facade had been substantially altered over time and it's original form, integrity and heritage significance were significantly diminished.
"The retention and adaptive reuse of the facade was therefore not warranted on heritage planning grounds."
The council spokeswoman said demolition consents remain in force.
National Trust Hunter chair Mark Metrikas said the building had outstanding heritage value for that part of the city.
"The National Trust feels its hands are tied because council has approved a development application for demolition on two occasions," Mr Metrikas said.
"That area of Hunter Street in Newcastle West is losing its character rapidly, there are still remnants around Bank Corner that are some of the last vestiges or pockets of heritage.
"It would be ideal if it was saved."
Ms Prineas said Newcastle West was going through an extraordinary period of renewal, and some of the development outcomes on other buildings with heritage value had been excellent.
"We're pro-development, but you can develop and add another layer to the city without necessarily erasing the layers that came before it," Ms Prineas said.
"Once it's gone, the conversation's over, and right now we still have a choice."
