Burns Philp Building, Sydney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burns Philp Building |
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| Location | 5-11 Bridge Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1899–1900 |
| Architect | A.L. and G. McCredie |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Romanesque |
| Official name: Burns Philp Building | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 347 |
| Type | Commercial Office/Building |
| Category | Commercial |
| Builders | Mitchell and King |
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The Burns Philp Building is a special old building in the heart of Sydney. It's located at 5-11 Bridge Street in the city's main business area. This building was designed by A. L. and G. McCredie and built between 1899 and 1900. It was constructed by a company called Mitchell and King. Because of its history and unique design, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's protected and important to Australia's past.
Contents
History of the Building
The Burns Philp Building was built for the Burns Philp company in 1899. Before this grand building, the land was used for different things. It was once a lumberyard and had five smaller buildings. These buildings housed various small businesses, like a watchmaker, a loan office, and tea-rooms.
The Founders: James Burns and Robert Philp
The company was started by two important people, James Burns and Robert Philp. Both were born in Glasgow, Scotland.
James Burns came to Australia in 1862. By 1872, he had a grocery business in Townsville. He soon expanded into shipping. James was known as a very smart businessman. He worked hard and had a great personality.
Robert Philp arrived in Australia in 1862 with his family. In 1874, James Burns offered Robert a job. They planned to become business partners. In 1883, their company officially became "Burns Philp." James was based in Sydney, and Robert was in Townsville. Robert Philp later became the Premier of Queensland, a top political leader, from 1899 to 1903.
Building a New Headquarters
By 1898, the Burns Philp company was growing fast. Their old office on Bridge Street was getting too small. James Burns decided they needed a much bigger building. In May 1899, they bought the land across the street.
They asked different builders to offer prices for the new building. Twenty-eight companies sent in their bids! Mitchell and King won the job with an offer of 23,875 pounds. The new building was finished by the end of 1900. Many other companies also rented offices there.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the Burns Philp Building changed a bit. In 1908, some parts were updated and decorated. More changes happened in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. These updates helped the building meet the needs of new tenants and keep up with the company's changing image.
In 1996, a fire in a nearby building caused some damage to the back of the Burns Philp Building.
The building was sold in 1997. In 1998, it was divided into separate offices that could be sold individually. The basement area has often been a restaurant. Today, it is home to a restaurant called Fratelli Fresh.
What the Building Looks Like
The Burns Philp Building is at the end of Bridge Street in Sydney. It has a basement, a ground floor, a middle floor (called a mezzanine), and three more floors above.
Design and Materials
This building is a beautiful example of a "Federation city office building." It has a strong, grand design. The outside is made of sandstone, a type of rock. It has rounded archways and fancy entrance areas. The front of the building is very balanced, except for a small car entrance on one side. This entrance leads to a narrow lane.
Inside, many original features are still there. You can see decorative metal ceilings that are painted. There are also high-quality wooden walls and detailed cast iron columns. The building uses cedar wood and polished stone in its main entrance area.
How it was Built
The building used a clever way of building for its time. It combined strong walls, brick columns, and a central staircase. It also used cast iron columns and wrought iron beams. The floors were made of timber and Oregon wood. This special way of building helped separate the front wall from the main structure. Even though the front wall helps hold up the building, it also looks very grand. The building is in excellent condition today.
Why it's a Heritage Site
The Burns Philp Building is very important to the history of New South Wales. It has been recognized for its historical, artistic, and technical value.
Historical Importance
The building is important because it was the home of the Burns Philp Company for a very long time, from 1901 to 1997. This company was a major Australian shipping business. They traded with many places, especially the Pacific Islands.
The building also shows the work of A. L. & G. McCredie. This was a very important architectural firm in the late 1800s. This building is one of the few remaining examples of their work.
Artistic Importance
The Burns Philp Building is beautiful and shows great artistic skill. Its richly carved sandstone front is in a style called "Federation Romanesque." This style was made popular by an American architect named Henry Hobson Richardson. The detailed carvings and interior finishes show the talent of local craftspeople.
The building is a key part of the Macquarie Place / Bridge Street area. This area is one of the most important historic parts of the City of Sydney.
Technical Importance
The building is also important for its clever construction. It was one of the first buildings to use a mix of materials like steel, timber, masonry (bricks and stone), and cast iron. It was a landmark for combining new building methods with a beautiful design. It was also one of the first times cast and wrought iron structures were used after they started being made.
Social Importance
Many people know this building because of its connection to the Burns Philp Company. The company traded successfully for over a century along Australia's east coast and in the Pacific Islands. The building even has Scottish thistle designs, showing the company's Scottish roots. The company also played a big part in the growth of Townsville.
The building shows how confident the Burns Philp Company was about the future. They used high-quality materials and finishes. These were usually only seen on banks or government buildings.
