75-77 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 75-77 Lower Fort Street |
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75-77 Lower Fort Street, pictured in 2019.
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| Location | 75, 77 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architectural style(s) | Inter-war Free Classical |
| Official name: Building | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 844 |
| Type | Historic site |
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75-77 Lower Fort Street is a special old building in Millers Point, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It's a shop with a home above it, and it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its history and unique style. It was built in 1928 and has been an important part of the local community for many years.
Contents
Building's Story
Early Days and Land Owners
Long ago, the land around Sydney belonged to the Eora people. Specifically, the Cadigal and Wangal groups lived in the area where this building stands. Even though many suffered when Europeans arrived, their descendants still live in Sydney today.
The land where 75-77 Lower Fort Street now stands was once part of a large piece of land given to William Hutchinson. He was a former convict who became a very successful businessman. He owned a lot of land in Sydney, including parts of Millers Point.
This land sloped steeply down towards what is now Walsh Bay. A street called Downshire Street was built at the northern end, which still forms a boundary today.
The Old Pub and Empty Land
Around 1840, a two-story pub called the 'Young Princess' was built nearby at number 79. It was later renamed the 'Whaler's Arms'. Old pictures show that the spot where 75-77 Lower Fort Street is now was just an empty yard. It had a low brick wall facing Lower Fort Street and a few temporary sheds.
The land stayed empty, except for these small structures, until 1928. That's when the Sydney Harbour Trust built the shop and home that you see today. The building was used as a shop and a place to live from when it was built until 2011. In 1937, an enclosed porch was added to the back of the building on the ground floor.
What the Building Looks Like
Outside Appearance
75-77 Lower Fort Street is built in a style called Inter-war Free Classical. It has dark red-brown bricks on the outside. It also has painted bands and special details at the top. It was designed to be a shop with a home above it and a garage underneath.
If you look at it from Lower Fort Street, it seems like a two-story building. But if you look from Downshire Street, it looks like three stories because of the sloping land.
On the ground floor facing Lower Fort Street, there's a shopfront with glass windows and a door in the middle. The shopfront takes up most of the front of the building. On the south side, there's a wooden door with glass panels that leads to the home. A strong steel awning sticks out over the entire front of the building.
The first floor has three windows with nine glass panes each. Above these windows are smaller transom lights. The building has a tall wall at the top that hides the roof.
Back and Inside Details
The back of the building, facing west, has plain brickwork. It also has decorative brickwork around the windows. On the ground floor, there's a wooden porch that is now enclosed. The first floor has three windows with many small glass panes. Below the porch, you can still see the original garage door opening and a wooden window for the laundry.
Most of the inside of the building is still in its original condition on all three levels. Important original features include the doors, wooden details, fireplaces, and wooden stair railings. It also has wooden floors and ceilings made of a special material with wooden strips.
Why This Building is Important
A Special Piece of History
No. 75-77 Lower Fort Street is a rare example of a shop and home built in the Inter-War Period Free Classical Style. It was designed specifically for this purpose. Along with the Hero of Waterloo Hotel at No. 81-83 and its neighbor at 79 Lower Fort Street, it was part of the main shopping area. This area was very important for serving the local community.
Serving the Community
The building has a special meaning for the community because it was used as a local shop and home for 83 years. It served the people living nearby from 1928 until 2011. It also shows how the Sydney Harbour Trust helped create community facilities. This happened during the big rebuilding projects after the bubonic plague outbreak.
This building is an important part of the many historic structures along the western side of Lower Fort Street. These buildings all help create the unique character of the Millers Point Conservation Area, which is important to the state.
Heritage Listing
75-77 Lower Fort Street was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
