Banco Court (Supreme Court of New South Wales) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banco Court(Supreme Court of NSW) |
|
|---|---|
Pictured in March 2019
|
|
| Location | St James Road, Sydney, Australia |
| Built | 1895–1896 |
| Architect | Walter Liberty Vernon |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Free Classical |
| Owner | Department of Justice |
| Official name: Banco Court, Sydney Supreme Court House; Sydney Supreme Court House (Banco Court); St James Law Courts; King Street Courts | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 799 |
| Type | Courthouse |
| Category | Law Enforcement |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Banco Court is an old courthouse in Sydney, Australia. It's a special building because it's listed as a heritage site. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and built between 1895 and 1896. People also know it as the Sydney Supreme Court House (Banco Court), St James Law Courts, or King Street Courts. The Department of Justice in New South Wales owns the building. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
This old Banco Court building is not where judges sit today. The current Banco Court is a large courtroom where many judges can sit together. This is called sitting en banc. The modern Banco Court is now in the Law Courts Building nearby. It is used for important court meetings and special events.
History of the Building
The Banco Court building is part of the Supreme Court House group. It was designed by W. L. Vernon, who was the New South Wales Government Architect at the time. The building was constructed from 1895 to 1896. In 2004, it won an award called the Energy Australia National Trust Heritage Award.
What the Building Looks Like
The Banco Court is built in a style called Federation Free Classical. This style often includes fancy decorations. You can see this in the detailed carvings made from sandstone around the windows and entrances.
Inside, the building has beautiful plasterwork and wooden features made from cedar. This building's design and location fit well with the nearby St James' Church. The Banco Court is made of red brick with contrasting sandstone details. The inside materials include cedar wood and plaster. The building is still in good condition today.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Sydney Supreme Court building (Banco Court) is important for many reasons. It has historical value because it's part of the Supreme Court complex. It also has aesthetic value, meaning it's a beautiful building. It's a great example of an early 20th-century building in the Federation Free Style. It's also the only courthouse in Sydney built in this particular style.
The building helps make the area special. Its smaller size helps it blend in with the older buildings around it. The site itself is historically important. It was once chosen for Macquarie's first public school. Later, it was changed to become the first New South Wales Supreme Court building. The quality of its interior shows how important judicial buildings were at the turn of the century.
The Banco Court, Sydney Supreme Court House, was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
