Hinchcliff House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hinchcliff House |
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Hinchcliff House, 5-7 Young Street, Sydney, New South Wales, being redeveloped in 2019
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| Location | 5–7 Young Street, Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1860 |
| Architect | Original Architect: unknown. Restoration Architect: Carter Williamson Architects |
| Owner | AMP Capital |
| Official name: Ozanam House; Hinchcliff's Woolstore; E F House & Marist Chapel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 701 |
| Type | Warehouse/storage area |
| Category | Commercial |
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Hinchcliff House is a very old and important building in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's located at 5–7 Young Street. This building has had many different lives! It started as a place to store wool, then became a home for men who didn't have a place to live, and even a university campus. The first part of the building was built around 1860, and another part was added in the 1880s. It's also known by other names like Hinchcliff's Woolstore and Ozanam House. This special building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because of its historical importance.
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A Look Back at Hinchcliff House's History
Hinchcliff House has a long and interesting story, changing its purpose many times over the years.
From Wool Store to Hostel
Back in 1845, a man named Andrew Hinchcliff built an iron shed in Young Street. He was known for being great at judging wool. Around 1860, his company, A Hinchcliff, Son & Co, built a stone wool store right next to the shed. This stone building is part of what we see today.
Later, in the 1880s, the old iron shed was replaced with a new building that looked just like the stone store. These two connected parts are the Hinchcliff House we know.
In 1945, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney bought the property.
A Home for Those in Need
In 1949, the building was given to the Society of St Vincent de Paul. They renamed it Ozanam House to honor their founder, Frédéric Ozanam.
From 1952, part of the building became the Matthew Talbot Hostel for Homeless Men. It had sleeping areas, a bookshop, and a place to get food on the ground floor. There was even a barber shop and laundry in the basement.
When the hostel moved to a bigger place in 1966, a new chapel was built on the ground floor of the 1880s section. This chapel is the only part of the building that still reminds us of the 40 years the Society of St Vincent de Paul used it.
New Beginnings for the Building
The building was sold again in 1988 to the AMP Society. From 1992, it was used by the EF International School, and then it became the Sydney campus for Southern Cross University. Both of these schools later moved to other places.
Today, Hinchcliff House is being changed into a place with shops and restaurants. This is part of a bigger city project called the Quay Quarter development.
Why Hinchcliff House is Special
Hinchcliff House is very important because it tells us a lot about Sydney's past.
A Rare Glimpse into the Past
This building is one of only two known examples of its kind left in Sydney. It shows us what wool stores looked like before bigger, more modern ones were built. It helps us imagine a busy time in Sydney's history when Circular Quay was a major hub for international ships, and wool was Australia's main export.
Amazing Architecture and Design
The building looks great and adds to the beauty of the street. Inside, you can still see the original wooden structure with heavy timber posts and beams. You can also find old cathead beam structures and a large hoist pulley. These parts show how wool was lifted manually to the upper floors, which is very interesting to see. The roof is also special, with its wooden beams forming an attractive ceiling.
A Link to the Community
Hinchcliff House is a beautiful and complete building. Its front, which faces three streets, makes the area around Circular Quay look even better. It's also a great example of how buildings can be designed to match, even when built at different times. It shows how a building can be used for many different things over the years.
A Unique Piece of History
This building is rare because it's an example of an older type of warehouse. It existed before wool was displayed and sold directly to buyers in the same building.
What's Happening Now: Redevelopment
Hinchcliff House is part of a huge project called Quay Quarter, which costs about $1 billion. This project is led by AMP Capital.
The architects, Carter Williamson Architects, are working to bring the building back to life. They are making it ready for shops and restaurants. They want to connect the building's past, present, and future. For example, you can enter a hidden bar in the basement through an old fire door. This will create a unique spot for both visitors and locals.
