Accountants House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Accountants House |
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Accountants House, Harrington Street, The Rocks
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| Location | 117-119 Harrington Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1840–1914 |
| Architect | Spain and Cosh |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Warehouse |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Accountants House; Accountant's House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1521 |
| Type | Warehouse/storage area |
| Category | Commercial |
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Accountants House is an old commercial building in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. It was once a warehouse and is now protected as a heritage site. The building was designed by architects Spain and Cosh and finished around 1914. It is also known as Dawnay Day House today. The government agency Property NSW owns it. This building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002 because of its important history.
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History of Accountants House
The area where Accountants House stands has a long history. A path that became Essex Street was already there by 1807. The spot where Essex and Gloucester Streets meet, near the building, was once called Gallows Hill. This was because it overlooked Sydney's first jail. It seems there were already some buildings on this corner site back then.
From Stables to Warehouse
Old maps from the 1830s show buildings on the site. One of these was later used as Hogan's stables. Records from 1882 describe it as a brick stable with an iron roof. The stables even had a yard with an entrance from Harrington Street.
Around 1900, a serious health crisis happened in Sydney. This led the government to take over large parts of The Rocks area, including this site. The goal was to clean up and redevelop the area. The stables were owned by several people at this time, including John Mitchell Purves, a well-known auctioneer and politician.
After the government took over, the land was divided into new lots. In 1905, the first auction of these lands took place. The property with the stables was eventually bought by G. E. Crane and Sons. They tore down the old stables and built a new warehouse.
A New Building for a New Era
The new warehouse was approved in 1913 and finished around 1914. It was built with strong brick walls and timber floors, having five levels and a flat roof. In 1934, a lift was added to the building.
In 1950, the warehouse was changed into an office building. This involved adding a new lift, stairs, and new entryways. The outside of the building on Harrington Street also got new terracotta tiles.
Home to Accountants and More Changes
Around 1952, the Australian Society of Accountants bought the building. They made more changes inside, adding new walls and a ventilation system. A new entrance was also created from Essex Street.
In 1970, the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority, another government agency, decided to buy the building. The Australian Society of Accountants moved out in 1971. The building continued to be rented out, and minor repairs were done over the years.
In the 1980s, there was a plan to knock down Accountants House and other nearby buildings to create a park, but this plan never happened.
Later, in 2003, the NSW Heritage Council approved plans to update the building and connect it with the building next door at 120 Gloucester Street. In 2004, the building's ownership was transferred to the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.
In 2005, new plans were approved. These plans kept the connection between the two buildings but added a modern, two-storey penthouse on top of Accountants House. This work was completed in 2006.
Dawnay Day House Today
In 2005, a long-term lease for the building was signed. In 2006, the lease was transferred to Dawnay Day Walden. Today, 117-119 Harrington Street is known as Dawnay Day House. It serves as the Australian headquarters for the Dawnay Day group. The combined buildings also house offices for various other businesses, with entrances on Harrington Street, Essex Street, and Gloucester Street.
What Accountants House Looks Like
Accountants House is next to the Housing Board building and the Bushells building. It's a good example of the Federation Warehouse style of architecture. The building is on a street corner, and the ground rises from east to west.
The building has a ground floor, four more levels above it, and a flat roof you can walk on. Its outer walls are made of strong brick, and inside, it has timber posts, beams, and floors.
The front of the building on Harrington Street is balanced, with three main sections. The original wooden windows are painted and have arched tops. This style of windows is also seen on the Essex Street side. The outside of the building is in good condition and still looks much like it did originally. The inside is also well-preserved, keeping many of its original features.
Changes Over Time
- 1934: A lift and a motor room were added.
- 1950: A new lift, fire-safe stairs, and new toilet areas were built. The Harrington Street side got a new entrance and terracotta tiles. The 1934 lift was removed.
- 1952: An awning was planned for the Harrington Street entrance.
- 1962: New walls were put in on several floors, and a mechanical ventilation system was installed. A new entrance from Essex Street was also added.
- 1978: Minor repair work was done.
- 1998: The building was refurbished.
- 2006: A two-storey modern penthouse was built on the roof. The old rooftop laundry and chimneys were removed. Part of the wall on the east side was taken down to extend the penthouse terrace over the roof of the next-door building. The two buildings were joined together.
Why Accountants House is Important
Accountants House and its land are very important to the history and culture of New South Wales. It's also important because it's part of The Rocks area, which is a significant heritage site itself.
The building is a good example of a Federation Warehouse style building from around 1914. Its outside look, with pairs of windows set into recessed sections and its unique roofline, is very characteristic. Much of the original timber structure inside, along with its Art Deco style updates (like the main stairs and lift), are still in great condition.
The size, shape, materials, and details of Accountants House fit in well with the old streets of Gloucester, Harrington, and Essex Streets. It shows how the area was developed in the early 20th century after the government took over the land. The building also has connections to important architects like Spain and Cosh. It tells a story about how the bubonic plague outbreak in 1900 led to big changes and planning in The Rocks area.
Accountants House was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002 because it meets several important criteria:
- It shows the history of New South Wales: The building's history, from early land grants to its development after the government took over The Rocks, helps us understand the past. It also shows the work of important architects like Spain and Cosh.
- It's linked to important people or groups: The building is connected to the early land grants and developments in The Rocks. It's also linked to the work of the Sydney Harbour Trust and Rocks Resumption Board, especially after the 1900 plague outbreak.
- It's a great example of design: Accountants House is a good example of a Federation Warehouse building from around 1914. Its design, with its special windows and roof, is unique. The inside still has its original timber structure and Art Deco style.
- It's important to the community: The building's history, especially how it was developed after the government took over The Rocks, is important to the community's understanding of the area.
- It can teach us more about history: The building's structure and features hold clues that can help researchers learn more about the cultural and natural history of New South Wales.
