Old Bushells Factory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Bushells Factory |
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Old Bushells Factory, pictured in 2019
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| Location | 86-88 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1886–1912 |
| Architect | No 86: Walter Liberty Vernon |
| Architectural style(s) |
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| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Old Bushells Factory and Warehouse and Bushells Place; Bushells Warehouse; Bushells Offices/Health Commission Building (Bushell's) | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1535 |
| Type | Other - Manufacturing & Processing |
| Category | Manufacturing and Processing |
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The Old Bushells Factory is a special building in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. It used to be a factory and warehouse for Bushells Tea. Today, it has shops, offices, and even an art gallery.
This building is located at 86-88 George Street. It is considered a heritage site, meaning it's important to history. The building at No. 86 was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon. Both parts of the factory were built between 1886 and 1912. The property is currently owned by Property NSW, a government agency. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002.
Contents
A Look Back: The Factory's History
The land where the factory stands has a long history. In 1788, Captain Henry Waterhouse leased it. Later, in 1800, Robert Campbell took over the lease. For many years, there wasn't a big building here because the land was very rocky.
In 1877, the land was sold to the Australasian Steam Navigation Company. It might have been used as a rock quarry. Later, Cliff and Clark bought the land and built some small stores. However, maps from 1880 show the site was empty again.
Building the Factory
The first part of the factory, No. 88, was built in 1886. It was constructed by Virgoe Son and Chapman, who were importers and merchants. This building had three floors and a basement. It's a good example of the Victorian Free Classical style, which was popular back then.
In 1904, Bushells Ltd., a famous tea company, started leasing this building. They needed more space as their business grew.
Expanding for Bushells Tea
In 1912, a new, taller brick building was finished next door at No. 86. This new warehouse had six floors and a basement. It was designed by W. L. Vernon, the Government Architect. This part of the building is in the Federation Warehouse style.
At the same time, the older building (No. 88) was made shorter to make way for a new road called Hickson Road. An extra floor was also added to No. 88. Vernon designed the front of No. 88 to match the new building at No. 86. The two buildings were connected so Bushells could use them as one big factory.
New Uses Over Time
Bushells Tea eventually moved out of the factory. From 1924, the buildings were used as storage for government departments, like Education and Labour and Industry.
Between 1948 and 1951, the buildings were updated. After that, they became offices and laboratories for various government departments, mainly the Department of Public Health.
In 1976-77, a new public area called Bushells Place was created near the factory. The Bushells Group of Companies helped pay for it. This was to remember their long connection with The Rocks area. A special plaque was put up on January 26, 1977.
The Health Commission of NSW left the building in 1980. From 1984 to 1985, the building was changed again. It was turned into commercial offices, with shops, a cafe, and an art gallery on the ground floor. Two more floors were added to the top of 88 George Street. The cafe now has outdoor seating in Bushells Place.
Modern Updates and Green Design
In 2007-2008, the buildings at 86-88 George Street were updated once more. This included making the offices better for businesses. They improved the lifts, fire stairs, and environmental systems. They also gave the outside a new color scheme.
These updates were done with a focus on being environmentally friendly. The building even earned a 5-Star Green Star Office Design rating. This was the first time a heritage-listed office building in New South Wales received such a high green rating!
What the Factory Looks Like
The Old Bushells Factory is actually two buildings joined together. No. 88 has a decorative painted finish and is in the Victorian Free Classical style. No. 86 is made of traditional bricks with stone details and is in the Federation Warehouse style.
W. L. Vernon, the architect, made sure the front of No. 88 looked good with the newer building at No. 86. The floors inside were connected from the ground to the third floor. The buildings have strong brick walls and wooden floors.
No. 86 was one of the first buildings in Sydney to use a steel frame. This allowed for bigger open spaces inside. The steel came from a British company called Dorman Long & Co. This company later helped build the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge!
- Styles: No. 86: Federation Warehouse; No. 88: Late Victorian Free Classical.
- Floors: No. 86: 7 floors; No. 88: 5 floors.
- Roof: Pitched and flat sections.
- Inside: Heavy timber floors with steel and cast iron supports.
Condition and Changes
The buildings have been well-maintained and updated over the years.
Major Changes Over Time
- Built: No. 86 in 1912; No. 88 in 1886.
- 1948-1951: Renovated for government offices and labs. A new concrete stairway and an electric lift were added. Many original wooden floors stayed.
- 1984-1985: Updated for commercial offices. Two extra floors were added to No. 88. Both buildings were made stronger.
- 2007: A complete refurbishment. This included new lifts, upgraded fire protection, and better air-conditioning. They also improved access for people with disabilities and created a new public space outside.
The 2007 updates focused on being sustainable. The Green Building Council of Australia gave the building a 5-Star Green Star Office Design rating. This was a big achievement for a heritage building!
Why the Factory is Important (Heritage Listing)
The Old Bushells Factory is very important to the history and look of New South Wales. It's also a key part of The Rocks area, which is important on its own.
Historical Importance
The warehouses at No. 88 (built 1886) and No. 86 (built 1912) are strongly linked to the trading activities in The Rocks. They are especially important because of their connection to the Bushells Tea company. Bushells was one of Australia's most famous food manufacturers. The building shows how the company operated.
The factory's location in The Rocks also shows how the area changed over the 20th century. It highlights The Rocks' role as a waterfront area with factories and businesses, alongside homes.
Important People and Groups
The Old Bushells Factory is connected to the Bushells Tea Company. The building at No. 86 and parts of No. 88 are also linked to the Government Architect, W. L. Vernon, who designed them.
No. 86 is also special because of its connection to Dorman Long & Co. This company supplied the steel for the building's frame. Steel-framed buildings were a new technology in Australia in 1912, and this was one of the first in Sydney to use it. Dorman Long & Co later built the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Design and Technical Achievements
No. 88 is a good example of the late Victorian Free Classical style. No. 86, designed by W. L. Vernon, is a good example of the Federation Warehouse style. Vernon made sure the two buildings looked good together.
The two large warehouses stand out where George Street and Hickson Road meet. They are an important landmark, especially when you approach them from George Street. For many years, the Bushells sign on the building made it a well-known landmark.
Community Value
People in the wider community value these buildings. They were listed on the National Trust and the now-closed Register of the National Estate. Bushells was also seen as a good employer by its community and workers. The factory's large size makes it stand out in The Rocks.
Unique Features
The renovation of the building in 2007 made it unique. It was the first heritage building to receive a 5-Star Green Star Office Design rating in New South Wales. This shows its commitment to being environmentally friendly.
The Old Bushells Factory was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 10, 2002.
