International House, Sydney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids International House |
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International House, 14-16 York Street, Sydney
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| Location | 14-16 York Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1913 |
| Built for | Estate of the late Jeremiah Brice Rundle |
| Architect | Robertson & Marks |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Free Classical |
| Official name: International House; Pomeroy House | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 579 |
| Type | Commercial Office/Building |
| Category | Commercial |
| Builders | Howie, Brown & Moffat, Master Builders. |
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International House is a special old building in Sydney, Australia. It is found on York Street in the city center. This building is important because of its history and unique design.
It was built in 1913 by Howie, Brown & Moffat. The architects were Robertson & Marks. The building is also known as Pomeroy House. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This means it is protected as an important part of the state's history.
Building's Early History
The land where International House stands has a long history. In 1837, the land was first given to T. D. Rowe. It was next to military barracks, which were like a fort. These barracks took up a lot of space in the city.
The barracks made it hard for businesses to grow in the area. But in 1847, new barracks were built elsewhere. The old ones were torn down between 1850 and 1853. This opened up the land for new buildings and businesses.
From Warehouse to Pomeroy House
By the 1870s, a four-storey warehouse stood on the site. In 1875, a businessman named Jeremiah Brice Rundle took over the land. Rundle was a very successful merchant and landowner. He owned huge areas of land in Queensland and New South Wales. He was also a leader in many companies and banks.
Rundle passed away in 1893. His estate was managed by a company. They decided to build a new warehouse on his land. This new building was named Pomeroy House to honor Rundle.
In 1913, the architects Robertson & Marks applied to build the new structure. Howie & Moffat were the builders. They designed Pomeroy House in a style called Federation Free Classical. This style used ideas from many different countries and times. It showed the confidence and growth of Sydney at that time.
Early Tenants and Changes
When Pomeroy House first opened around 1916, it had many different businesses. These included clothing makers, warehouses, and government offices. The building was designed to be flexible. In 1918, it was described as having 10 rooms, meaning the floors were not yet divided.
By 1922, even the basement was rented out to a wine company. The building's great location meant that office space was always in demand. By the 1930s, about 40 different offices were in the building. Some companies rented a whole floor, while others shared spaces.
Modern Updates Over Time
Over the years, Pomeroy House saw many changes. In 1931, a steel fire escape was added outside. In 1942, National Cash Register Pty Ltd bought the building. They used two floors and rented out the rest. About 60 to 100 people worked there.
The building had more changes in the 1960s. Around this time, it started to be called 'International House'. In 1959, a new air system was put in. In 1968, computer rooms were built.
From 1975, the building was mostly empty. It was sold to its current owner in 1978. From 1979 to 1981, the building had major updates. This included new air conditioning, new ceilings, and new lifts. The basement became a restaurant. The ground and first floors were changed for a bank. This meant replacing old windows with new glass fronts. More updates happened in 1988 and 1990.
Building's Design and Look
International House has two main sides that face the streets. It has a ground floor, eight upper floors (including a special roof level), and a basement. The building covers the whole area of its land.
Federation Free Classical Style
The building shows features of the Federation Free Classical style. The architects, Robertson and Marks, used ideas from different places and times. For example, it mixes the look of an Italian palace with a French-style roof.
The outside walls facing the street have three main parts. There is a strong base made of sandstone and brick. Above this are the simpler office floors. At the top is a projecting cornice, which is a decorative ledge. The sandstone at the bottom is rough, and above the first floor, it is smooth.
Both sides of the building have a taller, pointed section at one end. This section has three arched windows. The other end of the building is rounded at the corner. The middle sections have arched windows with sandstone details. There is also a round opening on the corner, which is typical of this style.
Entrances and Facade
The building has three entrances. One is a single-storey entrance on the corner. Two others are tall, rounded entrances. One of these is on the York Street side. The lower two floors of the building repeat these rounded arches.
Over time, changes inside the building affected the look of the ground floor. For example, the sandstone arch of the basement entrance was lost during renovations in 1980. Many of the original windows on the ground and first floors were changed. This altered the original look of the building's base.
Building Condition
As of 1997, the outside of International House was in good condition.
Major Changes Over Time
- 1913: Building was constructed.
- 1946: Windows on the eighth floor might have been replaced. The roof might have been changed to its current shape.
- 1979-81: Arched windows on the first floor were replaced. Shopfront windows on the ground floor were also changed.
Why International House is Special
International House is very important for its history and design. It shows how the York Street area grew as a business hub in the early 1900s. It was designed by the well-known architects Robertson & Marks.
The building is a great example of a commercial building from that time. Its outside look is still very much like it was when it was built. It also adds a lot to the look of Barrack and York Streets and the overall character of Sydney.
Historical Importance
The building's location and quality show how important the York Street warehouse area was. It continued to be a key business area from the 1800s into the early 1900s. The building is also a significant work by the famous architectural team of Robertson & Marks.
Design and Beauty
International House is an outstanding example of a commercial building's original exterior. The dark brick walls with sandstone details are unique and beautiful. Its design makes it stand out on a busy street corner.
Showing Key Features
International House is a well-preserved example of a commercial building. Its intact exterior strongly contributes to the look of Barrack and York Streets. It helps us understand what buildings from that period were like.
