Lawson House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lawson House |
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Lawson House, 212-218 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, NSW
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| Location | 212-218 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | John Burcham Clamp |
| Architectural style(s) | Inter-War period in the Free Classical |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Lawson House; Cadbury-Fry Building; Lawson Menzies Building | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1557 |
| Type | Warehouse/storage area |
| Category | Commercial |
| Builders | Burcham Clamp and Finch |
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Lawson House is a special building in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. It was built in 1924 and has been used as a warehouse, an auction house, and offices. It's also known as the Cadbury-Fry Building and Lawson Menzies Building.
The building was designed by John Burcham Clamp and built by his company, Burcham Clamp and Finch. Today, it is owned by Property NSW, which is part of the Government of New South Wales. Lawson House is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its important history and unique design.
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A Glimpse into Lawson House's Past
Early Days of The Rocks Site
The land where Lawson House stands has a long history. People were living and building there very early, soon after the First Fleet arrived in 1788. Maps from the early 1800s show that the streets we know today, like Cumberland and Gloucester Street, were already in place.
For many years, this land was owned by the government. But in the 1830s, parts of it were given to different people. These smaller pieces of land were later combined to form the site we see today.
Life in The Rocks in the 1800s
By the 1850s, The Rocks area was mostly residential. This means many homes were built there. There wasn't much industry, but some people ran small businesses from their houses. These included boot makers, dressmakers, and jewellers.
Most of the buildings were large brick or stone houses, often two storeys tall. The government bought these lands around 1907. This happened after an outbreak of the plague in Sydney. Many of these old buildings stayed on the site until the 1920s.
Cadbury-Fry's Chocolate Connection
In 1922, the first Cadbury factory in Australia opened in Tasmania. Cadbury had joined with another company, Fry and Sons, and Australia was a big market for their chocolates.
Just two years later, in 1924, Cadbury decided to build a distribution centre in Sydney. The Cumberland Street site was perfect! It was very close to the wharves, making it easy to bring chocolate products from Tasmania. The building became a busy warehouse and distribution centre. Cadbury Fry used the building until about 1957. During World War II, they even supplied chocolate to the armed forces!
New Owners and Uses
After Cadbury-Fry moved out, another company called Craig Mostyn and Co took over in 1958. They also used the building as a warehouse. This company started in 1923, exporting things like leather and eucalyptus oil. They grew to become a large exporter of many Australian products.
In 1982, the building became home to Lawson's, a famous auctioneer company. James R. Lawson started his auction business in 1870. He would auction off all sorts of items, from groceries to sailing ships! In 2001, the Menzies Group of Companies bought Lawson's. The building then became known as Lawson-Menzies. This new company focused on high-end auctions, selling art, wine, jewels, and fancy house contents.
Lawson House's Unique Look
Lawson House is a strong-looking building made of dark brick with sandstone details. It has three levels facing Cumberland Street and four levels facing Gloucester Street.
Architectural Style and Features
The building was started in 1924. It shows the "Inter-War Free Classical" style. This means it has classic design elements mixed with a simple look. You can see features like:
- A large, decorative cornice (a fancy top edge) made of sandstone.
- Brick pilasters (flat columns) with decorative quoins (corner stones).
- Small, steel-framed windows that pivot open.
Inside the Building
When you step inside, the entrance area still looks much like it did originally. It has shiny marble floors and walls, and old timber doors. A special plaque in the entry foyer mentions that Lawson's opened in the building in 1982. It was opened by the NSW Governor, Air Marshal Sir James Rowland.
The southern part of the building still has many original features. These include timber panels, wooden doors, and the original staircase. The northern part has been changed more, with modern walls and a new ceiling.
Changes Over Time
Lawson House has seen many changes and updates over the years:
- In 1949, a petrol tank was installed but removed in 1958.
- In 1967, the goods lift was replaced with a new passenger lift.
- In 1969, changes were made to the outside walls on Cumberland Street. Some dock entrances were filled in with brick, and new windows were added.
- In 1995, new fire safety features were put in, like fire doors and smoke detectors.
- The roof was waterproofed in 1994.
- In 1995, the building was updated inside. Some walls were removed, and the tea room and toilets were improved.
- The awning on Cumberland Street was changed in 1996.
- In 2000, the kitchens and bathrooms on the first floor were redone.
- At some point, the outside of the building was changed, including the entrance on Gloucester Street.
Why Lawson House is Important
Lawson House is important because of its history and design. It's a great example of a strong, commercial building from the "Inter-War" period (between World War I and World War II). It still looks very much like it did when it was built.
The building shows how The Rocks area developed during the 1920s. It's part of a group of commercial buildings that replaced older houses. Lawson House is also linked to the famous Cadbury-Fry company and the well-known architects Burcham Clamp and Finch.
It's a good example of the Inter-War Free Classical style. This style uses strong shapes, stone details, and classic features. The building's design fits well with the curved shape of Cumberland Street.
Lawson House was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002. This means it's protected and recognized for its historical and cultural value.
