NSW Housing Board Building, Grosvenor Street, The Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NSW Housing Board Building, Grosvenor Street |
|
|---|---|
NSW Housing Board Building, Grosvenor Street, The Rocks, New South Wales
|
|
| Location | 16-18 Grosvenor Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | William Henry Foggitt |
| Architectural style(s) | Inter-war Stripped Classical |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: NSW Housing Board Building (former); NSW Housing Board Building; Charlotte House | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1564 |
| Type | Office building |
| Category | Government and Administration |
| Builders | J. McCarthy |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The NSW Housing Board Building is a historic building located at 16-18 Grosvenor Street in The Rocks, Sydney. It was built in 1921 and was first used by the NSW Housing Board, which helped people find homes.
This building has served many different purposes over the years. It was once a police station and a government office. Today, it houses commercial businesses. It's also known as Charlotte House and is a special heritage-listed site because of its important history and unique design. The building was designed by William Henry Foggitt and built by J. McCarthy. It is currently owned by Property NSW, a government agency in New South Wales.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The NSW Housing Board Building was completed in 1921. It cost about £10,058 to build, which was a significant amount of money back then! The architect, William Henry Foggitt, worked for the Housing Board. This Board was created in April 1912 to help with housing in New South Wales.
Who Used the Building?
After it opened in late 1921, many different government groups used the building. These included:
- The NSW Housing Board
- The Resumed Properties Department (which handled land taken back by the government)
- The Grain Elevation Construction Branch
- The Department of Agriculture
- The Prisons Department (they started using it in 1930 and eventually took over most of the building)
In 1974, the Police Department moved into the building. It's not fully known how long they stayed there. However, The Rocks Police later moved to a different building in 1983.
Changes in Ownership
The building's ownership changed several times. It started with the NSW Housing Board. In 1927, it was passed to the Sydney Harbour Trust. Then, in 1935, it went to the Maritime Services Board. Finally, in 1970, the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority became responsible for the building.
What the Building Looks Like
This four-storey building stands out on the corner of Grosvenor Street and Gloucester Street. It has a simple design from the Inter-War period, showing some features of the Inter-war Stripped Classical style. The most decorative part on the outside is the brick and stone entrance on Grosvenor Street.
Building Materials and Design
Built in 1921, the building uses dark bricks on its three main levels and a basement. The basement can be accessed from Gloucester Street, which is lower. The bricks are laid in a pattern called English Bond. There are also some stone decorations, like at the corners of the ground level (called quoins).
Other design features include smooth, rendered lintels (the parts above windows) and a continuous frieze (a decorative band). An extra storey was added in the late 1930s. This new level was designed to match the rest of the building, even though its window sashes and sill bricks are slightly different.
Building Condition
As of 2000, the building was in excellent condition. Its foundation was partly disturbed because it was built into a hill. A major refurbishment, or renovation, took place around 1936.
Why This Building is Special
The NSW Housing Board Building is considered very important for its history, beauty, and social value. It's a key part of The Rocks area.
Historic Importance
This building is historically important because it was built as the main office for the Resumed Properties Department. This department played a big role in changing the layout of The Rocks and Millers Point by taking back land for the government. The building has been owned and used by the government continuously since 1922. It housed many different government departments, showing how government administration worked in the past.
The site itself also shows how The Rocks area developed over time. Its boundaries changed several times, especially after the bubonic plague and when the Harbour Bridge was built.
Design and Beauty
The building is also important for its design. It's one of the few places in the area that wasn't affected by the construction of the Harbour Bridge in 1932. It shows characteristics of the Inter-war Stripped Classical style, even though an upper level was added later. Its strong brick construction and prominent location on a corner make it a landmark in The Rocks. It helps frame the view of the Central Business District as you approach the Harbour Bridge.
Social Connections
The building has important social connections because it served as the headquarters for the Resumed Properties Department. It also housed other government departments like Agriculture and Prisons, and for a short time, the Government Housing Office. This shows its role in government practices throughout the mid-20th century.
Rarity and Uniqueness
This building is a rare example of an early 20th-century government building that still stands intact. It's the only known purpose-built government building from the Inter-war period in The Rocks area that has three street frontages.
What it Represents
The building represents an important time in the development of The Rocks area and government administrative buildings. Its facade shows typical qualities of the Stripped Classical architecture from the Inter-war period. It's a good example of strong brickwork with simple sandstone and render details. It highlights a period when purpose-built government buildings were considered very important.
