GA Zink and Sons Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GA Zink and Sons Building |
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GA Zink and Sons Building, 56 Oxford Street Darlinghurst NSW
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| Location | 56 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Built | 1911–1912; 1938 |
| Built for | Gustav Adolph Zink |
| Architect | John Dunstan (1911) H & E Sidgreaves (1938) |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Arts and Crafts; Inter-war Art Deco |
| Owner | Zink & Sons |
| Official name: GA Zink & Sons Building | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 658 |
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Invalid designation
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| Official name: Commercial Building "GA Zink & Sons" (56 Oxford Street) Including Interior | |
| Type | local heritage (built) |
| Designated | 14 December 2012 |
| Part of | Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 |
| Reference no. | I384 |
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The G. A. Zink & Sons Building is a special old shop located at 56 Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It has been the home of the Zink & Sons tailoring business since 1912. This famous company was started in 1895 by Gustav Adolph Zink. The building is important because of its unique Art Deco style shopfront and original inside areas. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, meaning it's a protected historical site.
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History of Zink & Sons
The Zink & Sons tailoring business began in 1895. It was founded by Gustav Adolph Zink, who came to Australia from Germany. His first shop was at 112 Oxford Street.
Building the New Shop
In 1911, Gustav decided to build a new, bigger shop. He hired architect John Dunstan to design a four-story building at 56 Oxford Street. The building was finished in the first half of 1912. It was built on a new block of land that became available when Oxford Street was made wider.
Family Business Over Time
Gustav Zink ran the business until he passed away in 1932. His son, Frank William Zink, then took over the family business. The shop has stayed at the same location since 1912. It saw busy times during the years between World War I and World War II, and again after World War II.
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Modern Updates
The building got a big makeover in 1938. A new, bold Art Deco style shopfront and entrance were added. These were designed by H. & E. Sidgreaves, a company known for fitting out shops. Today, the business is simply called "Zink & Sons." It is still a family-run business, owned by the Jones Family since the late 1950s.
Building Design and Features
The Zink & Sons building has three stories. It was built in the Federation Arts and Crafts style. The front of the shop has a striking Inter-War Functionalist design. It features a central entrance that is set back from the street.
Shopfront Details
The floor of the entrance porch is made of colorful terrazzo. The display windows on either side are framed by black Vitrolite material. Thin strips of shiny stainless steel add to the modern look. The shop's name, "Zink & Sons," is spelled out in large, stylish stainless steel letters above the windows. The street number is also clearly displayed.
Inside the Shop
The ground floor and first floor of the building still have many original features from the 1920s. These include old shelves, cabinets, and stairs. You can also see beautiful etched glass, room dividers, and leadlight windows. These details show how the shop looked nearly a century ago.
Why This Building is Important
The Zink & Sons building is part of a group of similar buildings on Oxford Street. These buildings were all built after the street was widened. This building is a rare and excellent example of an Inter-War Functionalist shopfront that is still mostly original.
Unique Features
The upper parts of the building still have finely detailed signs from the Federation era. These signs are part of the building's original design. The inside of the ground and first floors is also very special. Even with some changes, it remains a remarkably original example of a shop interior designed specifically for a tailoring business in the 1920s.
Original Connection
The Zink & Sons building is unique on the northern side of Oxford Street. It was designed specifically for the G. A. Zink & Co. business. It has kept this original connection, meaning the same type of business has been there for a very long time.
Heritage Protection
The Zink & Sons building has been recognized as an important historical site for many years.
National and State Listing
In 1978, it was listed as part of the "Oxford Square Group" by the Australian Heritage Commission. Later, in 1985, the Minister for Planning and Environment, Bob Carr, placed a special order to protect the building. This order was made permanent in 1989. In 1999, the building's protection was moved to the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This register ensures that important historical places in New South Wales are preserved.
Local Heritage Status
The building also received local heritage protection. The City of South Sydney first listed it in 1989 as part of a group of shopfronts. This local listing continued even after the City of South Sydney joined with the City of Sydney in 2003. In 2012, the City of Sydney specifically listed the building, including its inside areas and shopfront, as a local heritage item. This means it's protected by both state and local laws.
