The Heritage Council has recommended the government protects The Sirius apartment block, which occupies a prime location on Sydney Harbour.

The Sirus apartments were built in 1979, and were home to public housing tenants who enjoyed some of the best views in Sydney. However, most residents were moved out in 2015, despite their protests.

The NSW government is planning to sell the brutalist-style apartment block as part of its sell off of public housing in nearby Millers Point.

The building has always divided the community, with some admiring its uncompromising style, while other declaring it plain ugly.

Heritage Council chair, Stephen Davies, said, "We felt it had enough significant for the state that it should be retained. It has as rarity for social housing buildings for this particular period."

It is estimated that heritage listing The Sirius will cost the government $100 million, which is the equivalent of 320 new homes for 740 people.

The final decision will be made by the NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman.

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Government puts social housing ahead of Sirius preservation