Brooklyn Hotel, The Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brooklyn Hotel |
|
|---|---|
_229_George_Street,_The_Rocks_(Sydney).jpg)
Brooklyn Hotel (former) 229 George Street, The Rocks (Sydney)
|
|
| Location | 229 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Walter Liberty Vernon |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Free Style |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Brooklyn Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1533 |
| Type | Hotel |
| Category | Commercial |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Brooklyn Hotel is a special old building in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a hotel, but now it's a bar and restaurant. It's located at 229 George Street.
This building was designed by a famous architect named Walter Liberty Vernon. It was built in 1912. Today, the New South Wales government owns it. The Brooklyn Hotel is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's protected because of its important history and design.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The spot where the Brooklyn Hotel stands has a long and interesting history. It was once part of the "Parade Ground" for the early colony. This was a large open space used by the first settlers.
A man named George Howe was given this land. He was a convict who arrived in Sydney in 1800. George Howe became the government printer. In 1802, he printed Australia's first book. It was called "New South Wales General Standing Orders."
In 1803, George Howe started Australia's first newspaper. It was called the Sydney Gazette. He printed it right on this site.
From Printing to Pubs
By 1845, the "Printing Office" building was owned by a company. Later, in 1848, the land had houses and shops. These buildings stayed mostly the same until 1884.
Between 1882 and 1884, the old buildings were pulled down. A new four-storey building was put up. The first part of this new building became a hotel. It had a few different names over the years:
- 1884-1888: The Sydney and Melbourne Hotel
- 1889-1897: The Sydney Palace Hotel
- 1898-1982: The Brooklyn Hotel
In 1911, plans were made to knock down the old Brooklyn Hotel. The current Brooklyn Hotel was built in 1912. It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon. He had been the main architect for the New South Wales government.
Modern Changes
In the 1980s, there were big plans to update the area. The Brooklyn Hotel was part of a large project. This project aimed to fix up old buildings and add new ones.
Work on the area started in 1984 and finished in 1988. The Brooklyn Hotel was renovated in 1989. It was changed to be used as bars and a restaurant.
The building continued to be called the Brooklyn Hotel for many years. In 2010, the bank took over the hotel from its owner. It then closed as a hotel. In 2012, it reopened as a bar and restaurant. It is now known as the "Morrison Bar and Oyster Room."
What Does It Look Like?
The Brooklyn Hotel is an Edwardian-style building. It has a special design called "Federation Free Style." The front of the building is made of brick and sandstone.
It has a central sandstone section that sticks out. This section has an open balcony on the first and second floors. There are small, fancy pillars (called Ionic columns) above the balcony.
You can see narrow windows on each side of the central section. There are also small triangular shapes (called pediments) above the windows on the second floor. At the very top, there's a large brick triangle and decorative edges under the roof.
The awning (the roof-like cover over the sidewalk) is part of the original design. It is thought to be one of the first of its kind in Australia. It hangs over the footpath on iron rods.
Because the building was rebuilt a lot in 1989, only the front part (the facade) is from the original design.
Why is the Brooklyn Hotel Important?
The Brooklyn Hotel and its land are very important to the history of New South Wales. They show how the area has changed over time. The building is also important because it's part of The Rocks area, which is special on its own.
Many people in the community value this building. It's a popular spot for office workers and tourists to meet and relax. Its location and unique look make it a well-known part of the area.
A Special Design
The Brooklyn Hotel is part of a group of similar-looking buildings. They were all built around the same time. This group of buildings is unique in Sydney.
The hotel was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon. He was helped by William Moyes. Moyes learned from a famous designer named Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This means the Brooklyn Hotel has a direct link to early modern design.
The buildings in this group include Federation Hall, Royal Naval House, Johnson's Building, 231 George Street, and the Brooklyn Hotel. Their fronts all add to the rich look of the group. They create an important landmark at a major intersection. They mark an entry point to The Rocks.
The Brooklyn Hotel's front and shop area are typical of its time. They have bay windows and a deep covered porch. The top porch has fancy pillars. The whole front has high-quality stone details. The awning is a key part of its look. The inside areas for the bars are also well-designed.
A Changing Site
The land the Brooklyn Hotel sits on was once the colony's Parade Ground. The way this land has been used over time shows how the city, its economy, and people's lives have changed. From the very first days of the colony until now, the site has adapted.
The changes made to the site in the late 1900s show how new buildings can be added while still keeping important history.
The Brooklyn Hotel was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 10, 2002. It met several important requirements:
- It shows the history of New South Wales: The hotel and its site are important for their historical value. They show how the area developed from the early days of the colony.
- It's linked to important people: The building was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, a key architect. His assistant, William Moyes, learned from a pioneer of modern design.
- It has special design qualities: The hotel's design and its place within a group of buildings make it very special. Its front, bay windows, and unique awning are all important.
- It's important to the community: The Brooklyn Hotel is a place where people meet and relax. It's a well-known and valued part of The Rocks area.
- It's a good example of its type: The Brooklyn Hotel is a good example of a building that served as a meeting place and home for working people in The Rocks. It shows the different historical stages of the area.
