Penrhyn House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Penrhyn House |
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| Location | 22-26 Playfair Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1924 |
| Built for | John Turnbull Esq. |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Penrhyn House; The Rocks Centre; Playfair's Garage (Playfairs) | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1568 |
| Type | Factory/ Plant |
| Category | Manufacturing and Processing |
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Penrhyn House is a special old building in The Rocks, Sydney. It used to be homes, a garage, and a factory. Today, it has shops and a visitor centre. You can find it at 22-26 Playfair Street.
The building was designed and built in 1924 by John Turnbull. It is also known as The Rocks Centre and Playfair's Garage. The government agency Property NSW owns it. Penrhyn House was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002. This means it is an important historical site.
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The Story of Penrhyn House
The land where Penrhyn House stands was once part of Sydney's very first hospital site. It was not built on until the 1840s. Around 1816, the land was split into three smaller pieces.
In 1841, a man named Frederic Unwin bought all three pieces of land. He divided the land again, creating new streets like Kendall Lane and New George Street (now Playfair Street). A year later, Unwin had money troubles. He sold the southern parts of the land to James Chapman and William Perry.
In 1844, Unwin built three tall stone buildings, each four storeys high. By 1852, Unwin had lost all his money. He sold his properties. William Nicholson bought the stone buildings. In 1858, they were rented out to Berkelman & Bate. They used the building as a steam flour mill until about 1860.
In 1861, Lawrence Kendall bought the building. He changed it into what became known as 'Kendall's Biscuit Factory'. Between 1871 and 1875, new buildings were put up on the land facing Argyle and Playfair Streets. Henry Bell built Argyle Terraces where Playfair's Garage is now. William Billyard built more homes on Playfair Street. Small sheds and blacksmith shops were also built.
By 1889, Kendall & Sons, the biscuit makers, were using the building next to the factory. In 1900, the government took over the land under a special law called the Observatory Hill Act.
By 1925, a two-storey building was built on the site. It was called a factory and owned by John Turnbull. From 1925 to 1949, it was still used as a factory or workshop. It became known as 'Playfair's Garage'.
In 1970, the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority took control of the land. In 1978, they started a big project to redevelop the area. Turnbull's 1925 building was renamed Penrhyn House, but the new name did not become popular. Other buildings nearby were pulled down. A new building called "Scarborough House" was built in 1978-79. In 2005, Penrhyn House was completely updated. The Rocks Visitor Centre then moved into the top floor.
What Penrhyn House Looks Like
Penrhyn House was built around 1924 as the ground floor of a factory. It was a two-storey building with brick walls. It had an iron roof with special windows called clerestory windows. These windows let in light from above.
Originally, the building had offices at the Argyle Street end. There were also bathrooms at each end. Vehicles could enter from Kendall Lane.
Changes Over Time
- 1952: The Maritime Services Board made changes. They added another way for vehicles to enter from Argyle and Playfair Streets. The timber stairs were also changed.
- 1978-79: The Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority made more changes. They created a corner shop. The building was used for offices and a parking area. All the windows were replaced. At the car park level, the original stairs were put back. Old doors to the north were blocked. New openings were made to Scarborough House. New storage and service areas were added. At the Playfair Street level, new floors, walls, stairs, storage, and service areas were put in. The original roof was kept at the gallery level.
- 2005: The building was fully updated. The Rocks Visitor Centre moved into the top floor.
Why Penrhyn House is Important
Penrhyn House and its site are very important to the history and science of New South Wales. They also add to the special heritage of The Rocks area itself.
Playfair's Garage is a good example of a small factory building from the 1920s. It has been changed over time for different uses. The site of Playfair's Garage is linked to important people in The Rocks' history. These include Frederic Unwin and Thomas Playfair. There might also be old street surfaces buried underground, which could tell us more about the past.
The building is a key part of how The Rocks looks and works. It is especially important as part of the street view on Argyle Street. It also shows how useful buildings have developed in The Rocks since the early 1800s.
Important parts of the building that show its history include:
- Its strong brick walls.
- The shape of its roof.
- Its timber windows.
- The timber floor structure above the car park.
- The timber floors, posts, and beams on the Playfair Street level.
- The main timber posts, roof supports, and clerestory windows at the gallery level.
Penrhyn House was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002 because it met several important rules:
- It shows the history of New South Wales: Playfair's Garage and its site are important for their historical and scientific value. They also help show the history of The Rocks area. Playfair's Garage is a simple example of a 1920s factory building that changed over time.
- It is linked to important people: The site of Playfair's Garage is connected to important people who helped develop The Rocks. These include Frederic Unwin and Thomas Playfair.
- It has special design or technical features: The building is part of the look and feel of The Rocks. It is especially important as part of the street view on Argyle Street. It also shows how useful buildings have developed in The Rocks since the early 1800s.
- It can teach us about history: There might be old street surfaces buried underground. These could give us more information about the cultural history of New South Wales.
