107-109 Bathurst Street, Sydney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 107-109 Bathurst Street
Former bank building, now KFC fast food restaurant
Location	107-109 Bathurst Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1894-1895
Built for	Bank of New South Wales
Architect	Varney Parkes
Architectural style(s)	Romanesque Revival
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Bank of NSW
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	80
Type	Bank
Category	Commercial
Builders	J. A. Eaton
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

The building at 107-109 Bathurst Street, Sydney is a special heritage-listed site. It used to be a bank building, but now it's a KFC fast food restaurant. You can find it on Bathurst Street in the heart of the Sydney central business district, in New South Wales, Australia. This building is privately owned and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because of its historical importance.

A Look Back at This Historic Building

This building has a long and interesting history. It sits on a very important corner in Sydney, where George Street and Bathurst Street meet. Over the years, this area has grown from a small settlement into a major city.

First Peoples of Sydney

The original people of the Sydney area are known as the Eora people. The specific group who lived in the central Sydney area were the Cadigal band. Their land stretched from South Head to Petersham. After Europeans arrived in 1788, many Cadigal people sadly died from diseases like smallpox. However, their descendants still live in Sydney today. There aren't many old records or pictures of the Cadigal people right where this building is.

How Sydney and the Site Grew

In the early 1800s, this part of Sydney was quite far from the main settlement at Sydney Cove. Over time, Sydney grew southwards. Bathurst Street became an important path to the wharves at Darling Harbour. By the 1830s, more permanent buildings started to appear along George Street and Bathurst Street.

The area around the building became a busy mix of homes, shops, and entertainment spots. Big building booms happened in Sydney from the 1860s to the 1880s. This was thanks to the discovery of gold and new industries. Sydney's city center grew rapidly, and commercial buildings took over from most other uses.

After World War I and the Great Depression, Sydney's economy recovered in the 1950s. This led to another big growth period. In the 1960s and 1970s, Sydney became a major financial hub. The Bank of New South Wales expanded a lot during this time. In 1982, the Bank of NSW joined with another bank to form Westpac.

Sydney Square and the City Block

The area around the building, known as Sydney Square, is very important. It includes the Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral. This civic area was built on one of the highest points of George Street. The first stone for St Andrew's Cathedral was laid in 1819.

By the time the Cathedral was finished in 1868, the Sydney Town Hall was also being built. These two grand buildings created the civic heart of Sydney Square. The area around the bank building became filled with shops and businesses as the city grew.

When the current bank building was finished in 1895, Sydney Square was complete with beautiful civic buildings. The bank building stood at the southern end. At the northern end was the Queen Victoria Markets building, which looked similar in style. This whole group of buildings is recognized as a significant heritage area.

Later, in the 1920s, the Regent Theatre and the Trocadero Hall were built nearby. However, the Great Depression and World War II slowed down new construction.

A Timeline of the Site

• 1807: Most land north of the Old Burial Ground was leased, but only a few leases existed to the south. Bathurst Street had not yet been formed.
• 1822: Bathurst Street extended from Kent Street to Pitt Street. The block where the bank stands was divided into smaller plots.
• 1823: A plot of land on the corner of George and Bathurst Streets was leased to Mary Cleever.
• 1831: Mary Cleever was granted ownership of the land.
• 1844: Mary Cleever sold the property to Anne Norton and Peter Coyle.
• 1853: The land was transferred to James and David Dickson.
• 1861: The Kangaroo Hotel, a two-story building, operated on the corner.
• 1877: The Bank of NSW bought the Kangaroo Hotel and two nearby properties.
• 1883-1884: The bank building was expanded to three stories.
• 1894-1895: The old building was pulled down and rebuilt in the Commercial Romanesque Revival style. This is the building we see today. The architect was Varney Parkes.

The Bank of NSW Takes Over

In 1877, the Bank of NSW bought the Kangaroo Hotel. This was a smart move because the area was becoming very busy with trade and business. It also showed how important banks were in Victorian society. The bank started operating from the two-story building a year later.

In 1883-84, the building was expanded and updated. But in 1894, this building was demolished to make way for an even larger bank.

The Current Bank Building: 1895-1980

The building you see today was built in 1894-95 for the Bank of NSW. It was designed by Varney Parkes, a famous architect. The building has three stories and a basement, built in a strong "commercial Romanesque Revival" style. It cost about £8,150 to build.

In 1910, the bank building was made even bigger along Bathurst Street. The architects, Robertson & Marks, made sure the new part looked exactly like the original building. The basement, where valuable items were stored in strong-rooms, was also changed over time. These strong-rooms had very thick walls to keep everything safe.

Over the years, the building's inside changed many times to keep up with new banking needs. For example, in 1935, a lift was added, and air conditioning was installed. The first floor, which used to be the bank manager's home, was turned into offices as the bank grew.

By the 1970s, the bank started to use less of the building. New technologies like electronic banking meant fewer staff were needed. In 1978, the building was listed as a heritage site, which helped protect it. The Bank of NSW sold the building in 1980, after owning it for 104 years.

Changes to the Ground Floor

The ground floor was the main part of the bank. It had public areas and counters where tellers helped customers.

• Original 1895: The main banking area was along George Street. It had special entrances and an L-shaped counter. The bank manager's home was on the upper floors, with a kitchen and other rooms on the ground floor.
• 1910: The banking area was made much larger. The kitchen and manager's office were moved. New toilets for both men and women were added.
• 1935: A lift was installed, and more space was made for offices. The public area was made even bigger to serve more customers.
• 1952: The manager's office moved to the first floor. More teller booths were added.
• 1962-1966: The public area was updated again with new counters.
• 1981: When the building became a restaurant called "Pancakes at the Movies," big changes happened. Most of the old bank features were removed. A new mezzanine (a half-floor) and stairs were added.
• 1991: When KFC took over, the ground floor changed again. A large kitchen was built, and the old mezzanine was removed. A new mezzanine and stairs were put in to lead to the dining area on the first floor.

Changes to the Upper Floors

The upper floors were originally the bank manager's home.

• Original 1895: The manager's apartment had living rooms on the first floor and bedrooms on the second floor. There were also rooms for servants.
• 1910: More space was added, and a new bathroom was put in.
• 1935: The first floor was changed to offices and staff facilities. The manager's living areas moved to the second floor.
• 1952, 1964, 1966: Few changes were made, but rooms were used for different bank purposes.
• 1981: When it became a restaurant, the first floor was opened up for more seating. New stairs were added to connect to the mezzanine below.
• 1991: For KFC, more changes were made. A new staircase was built, and parts of the floor were removed to make space.

For many years, bank managers had to live in the building. The second floor was used as the manager's apartment for a long time. After the bank sold the building in 1978, the new owner rented out the second floor for homes. Changes were made to create smaller rooms and even a spa on the roof!

From Bank to Restaurant: After 1980

After the Bank of NSW sold the building in 1980, it was turned into a restaurant. This change was approved by the Heritage Council of NSW in 1981. "Pancakes at the Movies" operated here from 1981 to 1987. This fit in well with George Street becoming a popular area for movie theaters.

When it became a restaurant, the basement, ground, and first floors were changed to have kitchens, dining areas, and staff rooms. The second floor was still used for homes. The roof also got new features like a spa. The old bank signs were replaced with restaurant signs.

In 1987, another restaurant, Cassidy's, took over for two years. Then the building was empty for a while. In 1991, the lower floors were leased to KFC, and it has been a KFC fast food outlet ever since.

The area around the building has also changed. A large office tower is being built next door. The old bank building has stayed strong through all these changes. The second floor and roof areas are currently empty, except for some equipment.

What the Building Looks Like

The building is on the corner of George and Bathurst Streets. It's an important part of the George Street area and Sydney Square. It's not too big, but it has beautiful stone carvings and reminds us of older Sydney buildings.

The building covers its entire small corner plot, which is about 259 square meters. It used to be next to a large empty construction site, but now that site is being developed with new buildings.

Using the old bank building as a KFC restaurant shows a trend in the city. Many old commercial buildings are being reused for restaurants and other businesses. This KFC attracts many different people and adds to the lively entertainment area of George Street.

The building is important because it's part of the Sydney Square area, which is famous for its grand buildings like the Town Hall and Cathedral. It also connects this formal area to the more lively and busy George Street entertainment strip.

How the Building Was Built and Changed

The building has been changed and added to over the years.

• 1894: Architect Varney Parkes was hired to rebuild the bank.
• 1895: The three-story Commercial Romanesque Revival style building was finished. It was built with strong brickwork and stone. It had carved stone details, arched windows, and a decorative top section.
• 1910: The building was extended to the west. Architects Robertson and Marks made sure the new part matched the original building perfectly.
• 1935: Architects Peddle Thorpe & Walker made more changes inside. A new lift and air conditioning were added.
• 1952-64: An electric lift for moving money was installed, and public areas were updated.
• 1981: The building changed from a bank to a restaurant. A mezzanine and stairs were added to the main banking hall.
• 1987: Small changes were made for new restaurant operators.
• 1990-1991: KFC moved in, and the lower floors were redesigned with a new mezzanine and staircase.

Outside Details of the Building

The building is made of brick with a basement and a roof terrace. The sides facing Bathurst and George Streets have beautiful stone decorations. The other sides, which used to face a lane and another building, are simpler.

The outside of the building, especially on George and Bathurst Streets, hasn't changed much since 1895 and 1910. The City Council says the building should be kept as it is. The outside has strong Romanesque Revival style features. These include stone bases, carved panels, and decorative window frames. The arched windows and decorative top section are also very noticeable. The ironwork over the main entrance is still in good condition.

The 1910 extension on Bathurst Street perfectly matches the original building. You can barely tell where the old part ends and the new begins. The roof has also had several structures added over time, including rooms for staff and lift machinery. The current KFC has added small neon signs and fabric awnings over the entrances. The original timber doors and windows on the street sides are still there. However, the main customer entrances now have automatic sliding glass doors.

Basement and Ground Floor

The basement was once the bank's most secure area. It held strong-rooms with very thick walls where gold and other valuable items were kept. Since 1910, the basement has been changed many times to meet the bank's needs. Since 1981, it has been used for staff facilities, food storage, and new service areas for the restaurant.

The ground floor was the main banking hall. This is where most of the changes happened over the years as banking practices evolved. Since 1981, when it became a restaurant, most of the old bank features on the ground floor have been removed.

Why This Building is Special

The former Bank of New South Wales Building at 107-109 Bathurst Street is a rare example of a late 19th-century bank. It's a key landmark in Sydney's city center and an important part of the historic Town Hall area. This area includes the Sydney Town Hall, the Queen Victoria Building, and St Andrew's Cathedral.

Before the bank, the Kangaroo Hotel stood on this site in the 1860s. In 1877, the Bank of New South Wales bought the site. They first used the existing building as a bank, then upgraded it, and finally demolished it in 1894. The grand three-story bank building we see today was built in 1895. It included a home for the bank manager on the top two floors.

The building's design, with its red bricks and carved sandstone, is a great example of the late Victorian Commercial Romanesque Style. It balances the similar-looking Queen Victoria Building at the other end of Sydney Square. The building was designed by Varney Parkes, whose father was Sir Henry Parkes, a famous politician and Premier of NSW.

The building has been changed and extended over the years. In 1910, an extra section was added on Bathurst Street, designed by Robertson & Marks. In 1935, Peddle Thorp & Walker made internal changes, including adding a new lift. The biggest change happened after the bank closed in 1980. The building was turned into a restaurant, and a new mezzanine was added to the banking hall.

This building is probably the best small bank building (from the outside) left in the city. It's historically important because it was a bank for over 100 years, from 1877 to 1980. It's also important to the community as a landmark. Its well-preserved exterior shows the design and quality of bank buildings from the late 1890s. Since the 1980s, it has been a restaurant, serving people who visit the cinema and entertainment area of George Street South.

The former Bank of NSW building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because it meets several important criteria:

• It shows the history of New South Wales: The building shows how important business and banking were to NSW's economy in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its location near the Cathedral and Town Hall also shows its symbolic importance as a "pillar of society."
• It's linked to important people: It's strongly connected to the Bank of NSW, which was the oldest bank in the colony at the time. It's also linked to its architect, Varney Parkes, who was the son of Sir Henry Parkes, a very important Premier of NSW.
• It's a beautiful and well-designed building: The building shows excellent design with its Romanesque Revival style, strong shape, materials, and decorations. It looks powerful and solid. Its design and location make it a strong presence in Sydney's civic space.
• It's important to the community: The building is connected to Sydney's business and trade history, especially around Darling Harbour. It also has a special place in the hearts of people who went to the movies in Sydney since 1981, as it was "Pancakes at the Movies" and part of the George Street entertainment area.
• It's rare and unique: This former bank building is one of the few well-preserved 19th-century bank buildings in Sydney's city center. It stands opposite the similarly styled Queen Victoria Markets building, forming a unique group of historic buildings that have survived many changes in the city.
• It shows what a bank building should look like: The outside of the building still shows the main features of bank branches from the late 1800s.