Darlinghurst Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darlinghurst Courthouse |
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Darlinghurst_Courthouse.jpg)
The courthouse, in 2014
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Courthouse |
| Architectural style | Old Colonial Grecian |
| Location | Taylor Square, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°52′49″S 151°13′04″E / 33.8803743182°S 151.2178697170°E |
| Groundbreaking | 1826 |
| Construction started | 1835 |
| Completed | 1844; 1888 |
| Owner | Government of New South Wales |
| Landlord | Department of Justice |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Sandstone; slate; internal timber joinery; marble |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
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| Architecture firm | Colonial Architect of New South Wales |
| Official name | Darlinghurst Courthouse |
| Type | Built |
| Criteria | a., b., c., d., e., f., g. |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 00792 |
The Darlinghurst Courthouse is a very old and important building in Sydney, Australia. It's a special place where serious legal cases are heard, mostly by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. This beautiful building is located near Taylor Square on Oxford Street in the suburb of Darlinghurst. It was built a long time ago, starting in 1835, and has a unique style called Old Colonial Grecian.
The courthouse is considered a heritage-listed building. This means it's officially recognized as important to history and needs to be protected. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Contents
History of the Darlinghurst Courthouse
The Darlinghurst Courthouse was first designed by Mortimer Lewis. He was the main architect for the government back then, known as the Colonial Architect. Building work started in 1835 and finished in 1844.
Why a New Courthouse Was Needed
The Governor of New South Wales, Richard Bourke, wanted a new courthouse and jail. Before this, prisoners had to be marched through the city. This was not ideal, so a new, purpose-built courthouse was a big priority.
Building with Convict Labor
The foundations for the courthouse were laid by convict work gangs. Construction began in 1836. Even though the building wasn't fully finished, court cases started being held there as early as 1842. A new jail in Darlinghurst was also built around the same time.
Changes and Additions Over Time
Over the years, the Darlinghurst Courthouse has been changed and made bigger. Different Colonial and Government Architects oversaw these updates.
- Mid-1800s: Edmund Blacket helped fix the roof in the 1850s because it was in danger of falling apart.
- Late 1800s: James Barnet, another Colonial Architect, added large new courtrooms to the sides of the building between 1884 and 1888.
- Early 1900s: In 1901, major repairs were done to the original part of the courthouse. The entire roof was replaced, and parts of the front were changed.
Home to the High Court
In 1903, the Darlinghurst Courthouse became one of the first places for the new High Court of Australia. This court was created after Australia became a federation. More space was added in 1907 for the High Court. This included a new section with five rooms.
As the number of High Court judges grew, a second floor was added to this new section. Many changes happened throughout the 1900s to handle more court cases. In 1913-1914, the High Court expanded again. Eventually, a completely new High Court building was added to the complex in 1922.
Recent Changes and Relocation
Updates and maintenance continued throughout the 20th century. A large new section was added to the eastern side of the courthouse around 1963. This extension included two more courtrooms and offices. The High Court moved to a specially built building in Canberra in 1980.
What the Courthouse Looks Like
The Darlinghurst Courthouse is a very large and impressive public building. It's built in a style called Old Colonial Grecian. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek temples.
Architectural Features
The building is symmetrical, meaning both sides are the same. It has a grand entrance with tall, fluted stone columns. These columns support a triangular roof section, like a Greek temple. This main entrance leads to the central courtroom. On either side, there are wings with more columns.
The courthouse is made from smooth sandstone. Its roof is made of slate. Inside, you'll find timber floors and woodwork, and a marble-tiled entrance area.
Inside the Building
The inside of the courthouse is very well preserved. Many of the original furniture and fittings are still in the courtrooms and offices. Even though the building has been added to for over 170 years, the main front on Oxford Street still looks strong and unified. New additions have generally used high-quality materials, matching the original building.
The Grounds and Surroundings
The courthouse is set back from the street. It has a curved driveway and some plants around it. A strong iron fence with a sandstone base surrounds the grounds. Heavy sandstone and iron gates are at the north and south entrances. The back of the grounds meets the wall of the old Darlinghurst Gaol (jail). There's even a special area called a prison dock between the courthouse and the jail wall.
What's Inside the Complex
The courthouse complex has many different rooms and areas. These include:
- Seven courtrooms (for supreme and district courts)
- Jury rooms
- Judges' and associates' offices
- Sheriff's office
- Courtkeeper's residence
- Court reporters' office
- Cells for people in custody
- Offices for corrective services
- Witness rooms
- Kitchens for jury meals
Why the Courthouse is Special
The Darlinghurst Courthouse is considered the best example of an Old Colonial Grecian public building in Australia. It started being built in the 1830s. It has a long and continuous history of being a place for law and order, especially with the Darlinghurst Gaol next door. The building stands out clearly at Taylor Square.
The courthouse was designed by Mortimer Lewis and built between 1837 and 1844. It was the first courthouse in New South Wales specifically designed for its purpose. The sections on either side were designed by James Barnet around 1886. A newer extension facing Victoria Street was completed around 1963.
The Darlinghurst Courthouse was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
