Baker's Terrace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baker's Terrace |
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Baker's Terrace, pictured in 2019.
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| Location | 66-68 and 70-72 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1875 |
| Built for | William Andrews and Edward Baker |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Baker's Terrace; Bakers Terrace | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1530 & 1531 |
| Type | Terrace |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Baker's Terrace is a group of old buildings in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. These buildings, located at 66-68 and 70-72 Gloucester Street, were once homes. Today, they are used as offices.
They were built in 1875 for William Andrews and Edward Baker. The property is now owned by Property NSW, a government agency in New South Wales. Baker's Terrace is very important to history. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 10, 2002.
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History of Baker's Terrace
The land where Baker's Terrace stands has been used for homes since the early 1800s. At first, there might have been single houses. But by the 1830s, maps show that the area mostly had terrace houses. These are rows of identical or similar houses joined together.
Early Days of the Site
In 1807, surveys showed a clear building line on the west side of the site. There was also a small lane to the north. Early drawings from 1803 show many small houses in this part of Sydney.
By 1835, the site was known as allotment 1A (Nos. 66-68) and 1B (Nos. 70-72). It was first owned by Johanna Davis. Records show that people had lived on this site for many years before 1819.
In 1837, Denis Murphy took over the northern part (1A). Mrs. Davies kept the southern part (1B). In 1845, records described the houses as old and in "bad repair." By 1865, there were four homes on the site. Many residents in the street were tradesmen or worked in shipping.
Building Baker's Terrace
In 1877, William Andrews owned two new brick terrace houses. Each had two floors and five rooms. These were the northern two houses.
Around 1880, Edward Baker became the owner. He bought the two properties next door to the south. Between 1880 and 1882, Baker built two new brick terraces on these southern plots.
Then, between 1882 and 1887, Baker updated the fronts of his original terraces. He made all four houses look the same from Gloucester Street. This made them appear as one large building. From then on, the whole row was known as Baker's Terrace.
The terrace stayed mostly the same for many years. People lived in these homes until 1976.
Modern Changes
In 1890, the street numbers changed. Baker's Terrace became Nos. 66, 68, 70, and 72 Gloucester Street.
In 1988–89, the terraces at 68-72 Gloucester Street were changed. They became a restaurant and offices. This was part of a bigger building project called Harrington Court. The terraces were carefully updated to keep their historic look.
What Baker's Terrace Looks Like
Baker's Terrace is made up of two pairs of terrace houses. They are joined together. From the street, they look like similar buildings. However, their backs and insides are a bit different. The front of 66-68 was rebuilt in the 1880s. This was done to match the newer houses at 70-72 Gloucester Street.
The front of the building has a decorative wall at the top called a parapet. All the doors and windows have rounded tops. The windows and doors look like the original ones. The parapet wall has a fancy cornice (a decorative molding). This is supported by Italian-style brackets. There are also two small roof windows called gables. The decorative chimneys on the roof also look original.
The back of the building still looks much like it did originally. The backyard area is now part of a public walking space.
Condition and Upgrades
As of 2000, Baker's Terrace was in very good condition. This is because of the restoration work done in the late 1980s. During this work, care was taken to protect any old items found underground. This means there might still be historical clues buried beneath the buildings.
- Around 1885: New fronts were added to the buildings.
- 1988-89: The buildings were changed to be used as a restaurant and offices. This was part of the Harrington Court project.
Why Baker's Terrace is Important
Baker's Terrace is very important to the history and science of New South Wales. It also adds to the special heritage of The Rocks area. The site has been used since the very early days of Sydney. It shows how the area developed over time.
Historical Value
This terrace is a great example of how homes were built in rows in the mid-Victorian period in Sydney. It also shows how land was divided up. Edward Baker made the four terraces look like one big unit. This was a unique way to build. It is rare to see this kind of change in Sydney.
The terrace has stayed mostly the same since 1887. It was used as homes until 1976. The way the site has been used over time shows how Sydney changed. It also tells us about the lives of working and middle-class people in the early 1900s. The buildings also show how people built on the sloped land of The Rocks.
Architectural Style
Baker's Terrace adds a lot to the look of The Rocks. It is an important part of Gloucester Street. The terraces show many typical features of worker's homes built in Sydney during the mid-Victorian era. They are well-designed buildings for their size and type.
Baker's decision to make the four terraces look like one big building was interesting. It shows how people thought a larger building might seem more important. This unique design makes Baker's Terrace stand out.
Community Importance
Baker's Terrace is highly respected. It is listed on important heritage registers. This shows that many people value it. It is especially important to the local people of The Rocks and Millers Point. These communities worked hard to save the historic buildings in The Rocks. They also fought for their right to keep living there.
The terrace is also special to historians and experts. They value The Rocks for its history, old discoveries, and architecture.
Hidden Clues from the Past
The site may hold old archaeological remains. These could tell us about how people lived long ago. They might also show how buildings were constructed back then. These hidden clues could help us understand the past uses of the land.
A Rare Find
While terrace houses are common in Sydney, Baker's Terrace is one of the few left in The Rocks. Many were lost when the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Cahill Expressway were built. It is also a rare example of a building where two separate houses were made to look like one.
Showing Sydney's Past
The buildings at 66-68 and 70-72 Gloucester Street are typical late Victorian terrace houses. But they are unusual because they combine parts of two older houses into one structure. Baker's Terrace shows how terrace housing became popular in inner Sydney. This style of housing helped fit more people into the growing city in the mid-1800s.
