Jobbins Terrace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jobbins Terrace |
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Jobbins Terrace, with part of Long's Lane at left, pictured in 2019.
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| Location | 103-111 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1855–1857 |
| Architectural style(s) | Mid-Victorian |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Jobbins Terrace; Longs Lane Terraces/Precinct (Jobbin's; Long's ) | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1553 |
| Type | Terrace |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Jobbins Terrace is a group of historic terrace houses located in The Rocks, a famous area in inner Sydney, Australia. These buildings were constructed between 1855 and 1857. Today, they are used as homes and offices.
The terrace is also known as Longs Lane Terraces/Precinct. It is owned by Property NSW, which is a government agency in New South Wales. Jobbins Terrace is considered so important that it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.
A Look Back in Time
Early Days in The Rocks
The area where Jobbins Terrace stands has a long history. Maps from as early as 1803 show that people lived here. By 1823, a lane called Long's Lane was already in place.
In 1845, there were five small wooden houses on this site. They had shingle roofs and only two rooms each. These houses were in "bad repair," meaning they were falling apart. By 1850, most of them had been torn down.
John Jobbins and His Land
From 1839, the land belonged to a man named John Jobbins. He had arrived in Australia in 1816 as a convict. After serving his sentence, he became a butcher. Later, he became a grazier, which is someone who raises livestock like sheep or cattle.
John Jobbins owned the land until he passed away in 1855. Before his death, he leased the site to Edward Flood for 20 years. Flood was likely in charge of the old wooden houses and a stable built on the land.
Building the Terrace Homes
After John Jobbins died, the people managing his estate decided to build the terrace houses. They saw it as a good investment. The construction of Jobbins Terrace was finished by 1858.
These new buildings were made of brick with slate roofs. Each house had two floors and seven rooms. An old map from 1865 shows that some houses had extra rooms at the back, like rear wings or outdoor toilets.
Who Lived Here?
The houses in Jobbins Terrace were always rented out. Tenants usually stayed for only a few years. Some notable tenants included Anne Lewis, who ran a boarding house from 1861 to 1873. Sydney Smith, a cab driver, lived at No. 111 from 1882 to 1897. From 1912, a grocery shop operated on the ground floor of No. 111.
The Jobbins family continued to own the property for many years. In 1864, ownership passed to John's brother, Edward Jobbins. Later, Edward gave the houses to his children, Mary Ann and Peter. Mary Ann eventually owned all five houses.
Government Takes Over and Restoration
In 1902, the NSW Government took over the land. The houses continued to be rented until the 1960s and 1970s. The last house was empty by the 1980s.
During this time, the houses were boarded up and became neglected. People who didn't own them, called squatters, lived there. Many parts of the houses, like doors and windows, were stolen or damaged.
Between 1991 and 1993, a big project began to save and restore the buildings. Workers repaired the front of the houses and the roofs. They also built new floors and reconstructed missing parts like joinery and plasterwork. New back sections were added, designed to look like the original ones but with modern kitchens and bathrooms. Today, the houses are rented out to private tenants.
The restoration work on Jobbins Terrace and the wider Long's Lane area was highly praised. It even won an award in 1998 for excellent urban design.
What Jobbins Terrace Looks Like
Architectural Style
Jobbins Terrace is part of the 'Long's Lane Precinct'. This area is a collection of 19th and early 20th-century houses, yards, and lanes. Jobbins Terrace is a beautiful example of a style called "Greek Revival." This style was common in Sydney in the mid-1800s, but very few examples still exist today.
The design of the terrace focuses on its front. It has a special "break front" design, which means the middle part of the building sticks out slightly. It also features a small central pediment (a triangular shape often seen on Greek temples). The entrance stairs were originally covered by an awning.
Inside, the houses typically have a "Two down - two up" layout. This means there are two main rooms downstairs and two upstairs. They also have an attic space and rooms in the back wings. Jobbins Terrace is considered the most impressive building in the Long's Lane area.
Changes Over Time
The main structure of the buildings has stayed mostly the same. Iron roofs were added around 1899. Some extra outbuildings were built at the back of Nos. 105 and 111.
In the 1920s, the houses were likely renovated. Doors and windows were replaced, and electricity was probably installed.
Condition and Restoration
The inside of the houses was completely rebuilt between 1991 and 1992. This means there are no original archaeological remains inside. However, some older deposits from before the 1850s can still be found in the rear yards.
Important changes and updates to the buildings include:
- Around 1899: Iron roofs were installed, and extra outbuildings were built at the back of Nos. 105 and 111.
- 1920s: Electricity was likely installed.
- 1992-1997: Major conservation and restoration work was done on the entire Long's Lane area.
Why Jobbins Terrace is Important
Historical Significance
Jobbins Terrace and its site are very important for understanding the history of New South Wales. The land has been continuously occupied since at least the early 1800s. The building itself shows how residential homes were planned and designed in the mid-Victorian period (around the 1840s-1890s).
It also tells a story about how The Rocks area changed over time. The period when the building fell into disrepair and was occupied by squatters shows social changes in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The government's decision to restore it for homes, not businesses, shows a commitment to preserving heritage.
Architectural and Aesthetic Value
Jobbins Terrace is a rare and beautiful example of a Greek Revival terrace. It's one of only two known examples of this style left in Sydney. Its unique design, with the "break front" and small central pediment, makes it stand out.
The building adds a lot to the look of Gloucester Street in The Rocks. It fits well with other historic terraces nearby, like Susannah Place. It also helps make the Long's Lane Precinct a special place with its old buildings, lanes, and backyards.
Research and Educational Value
The site of Jobbins Terrace is important for research. It has provided archaeological evidence from the early European settlement of Sydney before 1830. The findings from these digs help us understand what life was like in The Rocks long ago.
The original design of Jobbins Terrace is still clear. This allows us to learn about how homes were used and planned in the 19th century. The restoration work itself is also a good example of careful heritage conservation, where new parts were built exactly like the old ones.
Rarity
Jobbins Terrace is a very fine example of Greek Revival terrace housing. While this style was once common, it is now rare in New South Wales. This makes Jobbins Terrace a unique and valuable part of the state's heritage.
