95-99 George Street, The Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 95-99 George Street, The Rocks |
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95-99 George Street, The Rocks
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| Location | 95-99 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Italianate |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Shops and Residences, Terrace; residential above | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1596 |
| Type | Shop |
| Category | Retail and Wholesale |
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95-99 George Street, The Rocks is a special group of shops and cafes in The Rocks, a historic part of Sydney, Australia. These buildings were once homes too. They are located on George Street in the heart of Sydney.
The buildings were constructed in 1868. Today, they are owned by Property NSW, a government agency. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002. This means they are protected because of their important history and design.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Site
The land where these buildings stand has been used since 1788. This was when the first European settlers arrived in Australia. It was part of the first hospital grounds in the colony. The assistant surgeon's house and garden were on this very spot.
Francis Greenway and the Land
In 1816, the famous architect Francis Greenway lived in the assistant surgeon's house. He was a convict who became the first government architect. Governor Macquarie gave him the house as part of his pay.
When a new governor took over, Greenway was dismissed. He refused to leave the house. He claimed Governor Macquarie had promised him the land. The government tried to remove him for years. Greenway finally showed a document that seemed to give him the land. Many people now believe this document was not real.
After his wife passed away in 1832, Greenway sold part of the property. He sold it to Frederick Wright Unwin for £150. The government still argued they owned the land. Unwin agreed to pay the government £2,870 in 1835 to settle the dispute. Greenway was finally forced out of the house in 1836. Unwin officially gained ownership in 1838.
Building Shops and Homes
In 1839, Unwin leased the land to Michael Gannon. Gannon was a builder. The lease said he had to build new houses on George Street. These houses had to be three stories tall.
By 1844, Gannon had built several buildings. This included three shops with homes above them on this site. These shops were made of brick or stone. They had eight rooms each. Gannon later faced financial problems. The land was then bought by two investors, Robert Archibald Morehead and Mathew Young.
New Buildings in 1868
Around 1861, the old buildings at 95-99 George Street were emptied. They were then torn down. The land stayed empty for a few years. The current buildings were constructed around 1867. William Bradridge built them. He advertised for bricklayers in 1867.
By 1868, the new shops and homes were ready. They were two stories tall. Each had five rooms. They were made of brick with iron roofs. A butcher shop opened at No. 95. A grocer opened at No. 99. These businesses stayed for about 20 years.
In 1885, William Yeoman sold the property. He sold it to a grazier named John Gill. Gill bought a lot of land in this area.
Government Ownership and Changes
In 1900, the Bubonic plague hit Sydney. The government took over many properties in The Rocks. This included 95-99 George Street. The Maritime Services Board managed the properties first. Later, the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority took over.
The shop at No. 95 was a butcher shop until 1908. A cool room from this time is still in the cellar. After that, it became a clothing store. Then, it was a grocer until the 1950s. No. 97 had many different tenants. These included a painter, a fishmonger, and a hairdresser. From 1923 to 1931, the Empire Service Club used No. 97. This club helped young boys who came to Australia for farm training.
No. 99 George Street was a grocer's shop for a long time. It was used by different tenants until the 1970s. Today, the buildings are used for businesses. They no longer have homes above them. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the buildings were restored. As of 2008, they housed The Rocks Café, a pharmacy, and a newsagency.
What the Buildings Look Like
Nos. 95-99 George Street are three two-story shops. They are built in the Victorian Italianate style. This style was popular in the late 1800s. They have their original shop fronts on the ground floor.
The outside walls are covered in stucco. This is a type of plaster. The windows on the first floor have fancy frames called architraves. Above the windows, there is a simple cornice and a parapet. A parapet is a low wall along the roof edge. The timber windows have single panes of glass. They are set in arched openings.
A cool room from the late 1800s is still in the basement of No. 95. The basement of No. 99 is made of stone. It might be part of the older building from the 1840s. In 1985, new timber awnings were added over the street. A pediment was also built above No. 97. It has the date "1868" in the middle. The back of the buildings faces a walking path called Greenway Lane.
Building Details
- Style: Victorian Italianate
- Storeys: 2
- Facade: Stuccoed brick walls
- Roof Cladding: Iron
- Floor Frame: Timber
Condition and Changes
The buildings are mostly in good condition. There are cellars underneath.
- By 1958: The awnings on George Street were removed. They were replaced with canvas sun blinds.
- Late 1970s and 1980s: Major restoration work was done.
- 1985: New awnings were built. The pediment with "1868" was added over No. 97.
Why These Buildings Are Special
The buildings at 95-99 George Street are very important. They show us what life was like in the 1860s. They are great examples of Victorian Italianate style shops and homes. They are located in a main business area of The Rocks.
Historical Importance
These buildings have been used for shops and homes since 1867. This long history makes them very special. The cool room in No. 95 is a rare example of old refrigeration. It helps us understand how people kept food cold long ago.
The site is also linked to the First Fleet. It was where the Assistant Surgeon lived around 1788. Later, Francis Greenway, the first colonial architect, lived there. The site is also connected to Michael Gannon, a builder who developed the area.
Design and Look
The buildings are beautiful examples of Victorian Italianate style. They have fancy details like moulded parapets. Their original shop fronts are still there. Nos. 95 and 97 have very well-preserved interiors. These show how shops and homes looked in the Victorian era.
These buildings help make George Street look special. They fit in well with other historic buildings in The Rocks. They create a unified look. They also add to the charm of Greenway Lane. This lane reminds us of the old colonial town.
Social and Community Value
The buildings have a long history of being used for both shops and homes. It was common for shopkeepers to live above their stores. This is rare now. These buildings show us how people used to live and work.
The Rocks is a very important heritage area in Australia. These buildings are part of that. They are valued by people who care about Sydney's history.
What We Can Learn
The site has potential for archaeology. This means digging here could reveal more about earlier buildings. We might learn about the 1788 surgeon's house. We could also learn about the 1840s shops. The cool room in No. 95 is very important. It can teach us about early refrigeration in Australia.
Rare Features
These buildings are rare because they still have so much of their original parts. Nos. 95 and 97 are among the most complete mid-Victorian shops in Sydney. The cool room in No. 95 is also rare. It is an intact example of 19th-century refrigeration. This was before mechanical cooling existed.
These buildings are a great example of Victorian Italianate style. They are a terrace of three shops. They have similar designs and were used for both retail and homes.
