103 George Street, The Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 103 George Street, The Rocks |
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Joe Bananas retail outlet, pictured in 2019, at 103 George Street, The Rocks
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| Location | 103 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1856 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Regency |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Shop and Residence - Ariel Bookshop; Joe Bananas | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1587 |
| Type | Shop |
| Category | Retail and Wholesale |
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Imagine a building that has stood for over 160 years! That's 103 George Street, The Rocks, a special old building in The Rocks, Sydney. It was built way back in 1856. This building has been many things over the years, including a home and different shops. Today, it's known as Joe Bananas, a fashion store. Before that, it was the Ariel Bookshop. This historic place is owned by Property NSW, which is part of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002, meaning it's officially protected because of its important history.
As of 2018[update], the shop on the ground floor was Joe Bananas, an Australian fashion brand.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of 103 George Street
The area where 103 George Street stands today has a very long history. It was once part of the land used for the first hospital in the colony. This hospital was set up shortly after the First Fleet arrived in 1788. Later, in 1790, a new, portable hospital arrived with the Second Fleet.
Famous Residents and Early Shops
A famous person named Francis Greenway, who was the first government architect in the colony, lived nearby from 1814 to 1836. He lived in a house close to where George Street and Argyle Street meet. The land where 103 George Street is now was next to his home.
By the 1830s, shops started appearing in this area. Between 1831 and 1832, a shop called McHealy's China Shop was built on this site. In 1840, Elizabeth Charlotte Broughton officially became the owner of the land.
In 1842, a man named John Richards, who sold fabric, bought the property. Later, between 1849 and 1852, Maurice Reynolds owned it. Records from 1851 show that the building was a one-story timber structure used as a smith's (metalworker's) shop.
Building the Current Structure
James O'Neill bought the property from Richards. He then built the three-story building we see today between 1855 and 1856. This is the main structure that still stands.
The Playfair Family and Their Butcher Shop
In 1871, Thomas Playfair started using the new building at 103 George Street as a butcher's shop. He became the official owner in 1882. When he passed away in 1893, his son, Edmund Playfair, took over the property. Edmund owned it until 1902, when the Government of New South Wales took ownership.
Thomas Playfair had an interesting life. He joined the British Royal Navy when he was only 12 years old in 1845! He traveled to Melbourne in 1859 and then came to Sydney. In 1860, he started a butcher business with Edmund John Bailey. They bought a shipping butcher business and called it Bailey and Playfair.
Thomas Playfair was also involved in local government. In 1875, he was elected as an Alderman for the Sydney City Council. He served for 18 years and was even elected Mayor of Sydney in 1885! He also helped set up the Homebush saleyards, which are places where livestock are bought and sold.
Changing Shops Over Time
After Thomas Playfair's death, his son Edmund continued the family butcher business until at least 1907. After that, many different shops used the building. One long-term tenant was the Edwards family, who made and sold shoes and clothes. Their business changed names several times, from "Edwards Bespoke Shoemakers" in 1938 to "Edwards Rocks Rig" later on.
As of 2005[update], the building housed the Ariel Bookshop and other businesses. As of 2018[update], the ground floor was occupied by Joe Bananas, a fashion label.
What 103 George Street Looks Like
No. 103 George Street is a beautiful three-story building. It's built in a style called Victorian Regency, which was popular in Britain and adapted in Australia. This style means it has nice, balanced shapes and looks very formal.
The building was constructed in 1856 using brick covered with stucco (a type of plaster). It has special decorative features like quoins (corner stones that stick out), fancy stone frames around the windows (architraves), and decorative ledges (cornices) on the first and second floors. The windows are quite large compared to other buildings from that time. It also has decorative bands (string courses) and curved supports (brackets) that make it look lighter. The top of the building has a special decorated wall called a parapet, which is quite rare to see now. The shopfront you see today is not the original one.
- Style: Victorian Regency
- Stories: 3
- Front: Stone front and side walls
- Side/Rear Walls: Brick covered in plaster
- Roof: Corrugated Iron
- Floors: Concrete
Building Condition and Changes
As of 2001, the building was in good condition, though the ground level had been changed over time.
Over the years, the building has had some updates:
- 1861: First mention of it being a three-story brick building.
- 1865: More small buildings were added behind it.
- By 1880: An extension was built at the back.
- 1880: First mention of it being a stone building.
- 1975: The roof was replaced.
- 1978-79: Work was done to preserve the middle and back parts of the building.
- 1980: Windows on the George Street side were repaired.
- 1982: A front awning (a cover over the entrance) was added.
- 1984: A new shopfront was put in on George Street.
Why 103 George Street is Special
This building is very important because of its history and how it shows us what life was like in New South Wales. It's part of The Rocks area, which is also very historically significant.
Historical Importance
The building is important because it shows how Sydney grew from a small settlement into a city. It has been a shop and a home for a very long time. The land itself has been used by Europeans since 1788, and it was even the site of the first hospital. It's also linked to famous people like Francis Greenway and Thomas Playfair.
Connection to Important People
The Playfair family is strongly connected to this site because of their butcher business. Thomas Playfair was not just a butcher; he was also a Member of the NSW Parliament and the Mayor of Sydney. The site is also linked to Francis Greenway, the colonial architect, who lived very close by.
Beautiful Design
The building is a great example of Victorian Regency architecture. Its balanced design and detailed features show the building styles that early European settlers brought to Australia. It's a key part of the historic look of George Street in The Rocks.
Community and Social Value
This building has been a part of the community for 150 years, serving customers and supporting the shipping industry, which was very important to Sydney's social and business life. It's also one of the few buildings in the area that has kept its tradition of being both a shop and a home at the same time, showing how people used to live and work.
Learning from the Past
The building's structure can teach us about old building methods and materials. The site also has the potential to reveal information about earlier times, including its use as a garden for the hospital and even about pre-European culture.
A Rare Example
Because it has almost continuously been used as both a home and a shop, this building is a rare example of how people lived and worked in the early days of the colony. It's one of the few places in The Rocks that still shows this old way of life.
Showing Key Characteristics
The buildings on this site represent what was once the most important shopping area in the country. The shop and its importance grew as it changed to serve not only general customers but also the vital shipping industry.
