Sydney began on this stretch of shore. Crowding behind the MCA is The Rocks. Over the water is the Opera House. Tourists might take for granted that such a site is untouchable, but if you're born and raised in this town you know that anything can be turned into real estate. The MCA has fallen in with the plan.
Contemporary art makes for difficult politics in Australia.
Crucifixes in urine and madonnas decorated with cow dung outrage the populace. Nothing in the arts world is quite so hard to sell to Australians as explorations out on the boundaries of visual art. As the nation's most pointy-headed premier he cultivates a reputation as a mean Medici. Other premiers play it very differently. Hence the real estate development on the shores of Circular Quay.