Playfair Street Terraces facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Playfair Street Terraces |
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Playfair Street Terraces, 17-31 Playfair Street, The Rocks, NSW
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| Location | 17-31 Playfair Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1875–1877 |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Playfair Street Terraces; Tara Terrace (Nos 19-27); Argyle Terrace | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1569 |
| Type | Terrace |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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The Playfair Street Terraces are a group of old houses in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. These buildings were first homes and are now shops. They were built between 1875 and 1877.
The terraces are also known as Tara Terrace (for numbers 19-27) and Argyle Terrace. They are owned by Property NSW, a government agency in New South Wales. These buildings are so important that they were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002.
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A Look Back: The History of Playfair Street Terraces
The land where the Playfair Street Terraces stand was mostly empty until the 1870s. The street itself has had many names over the years. It was called New George Street, then Little Gloucester Street, and even Harrington Street before becoming Playfair Street in 1953.
How the Land Was Developed
In the 1830s, this land was given to early settlers. Later, a man named Frederick Wright Unwin owned a large part of it. He started his storage businesses there.
By the 1870s, the land was bought by Robert Pemberton Richardson. He divided it into many smaller blocks. These blocks were then sold off in 1874. They were advertised as good spots for "residences for small capitalists," meaning homes for people who didn't have a lot of money.
Building the Terraces
The first houses, known as "Tara Terrace" (Nos. 19-27), were built around 1875. These were typical homes for workers in the Victorian era. They had simple designs with two rooms on each floor.
Soon after, Nos. 29 and 31 were built in 1876. Number 17 Playfair Street followed in 1877. These houses were also simple and similar in style to Tara Terrace. By 1882, many more houses had been built in the area.
Most of these houses were built to be rented out. Only a few owners lived in their own properties. The people who rented them were often tradesmen like printers, shipwrights, and engineers.
Government Takes Over
In 1901, the government took control of all these properties. This happened after a serious illness hit Sydney in 1900. The government wanted to clean up and redevelop parts of the city. The Sydney Harbour Trust became responsible for the buildings.
The Trust realized that many people, especially wharf workers, still needed to live close to their jobs. So, instead of just tearing everything down, they started repairing old buildings and even building new ones.
Later, the Maritime Services Board (MSB) took over in 1936. They made big changes to the port area but left the Playfair Street Terraces mostly untouched.
Saving the Terraces from Demolition
By the late 1960s, many people thought The Rocks area was old and rundown. There were plans to knock down many buildings, including the Playfair Street Terraces, to make way for new developments like a car park.
However, things changed in the 1970s. The Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority (SCRA) was in charge. One of their directors visited other countries and saw how old buildings could be restored and used again. This inspired a new idea: instead of demolishing the terraces, they decided to save and restore them!
This decision was a big turning point for The Rocks. It marked the start of the area becoming a popular tourist spot. The terraces were transformed from homes into shops and restaurants.
What the Playfair Street Terraces Look Like
The Playfair Street Terraces (Nos. 13-31) are a row of houses built between 1875 and 1883. They were renamed Argyle Terrace around 1990.
- Nos. 19-27 Playfair Street (Tara Terrace) were built in 1875.
- Nos. 29-31 Playfair Street were built in 1876.
- No. 17 Playfair Street was built in 1877.
- Nos. 13-15 Playfair Street were built in 1883.
These houses were built with simple brick and had no fancy decorations. To save space, they were built right up to the street. They have balconies that hang over the narrow footpath. Most of the houses have a simple layout with two rooms on each floor and attic rooms in some.
The last terraces built, Nos. 13-15, are a bit more detailed in their style.
How the Buildings Have Changed
The terraces have been changed over time.
- Originally, many had shingled roofs, which were replaced with iron roofs by 1902.
- In 1972, the SCRA restored the buildings. They were in poor condition and were going to be demolished. But instead, they were fixed up and turned into shops and restaurants. Some inner walls and features were changed to make them suitable for commercial use.
Why the Playfair Street Terraces Are Important
The Playfair Street Terraces are very important to the history and character of New South Wales. They show us what typical workers' housing looked like in Sydney in the late 1800s. They also show how developers tried to make the most profit by building many small homes close together.
These terraces are special because they are one of the few groups of workers' houses with balconies that still exist in The Rocks area. They remind us that this part of Sydney was once mostly residential.
Historical Significance
The terraces are important because they show how Sydney developed in the late 1800s. They represent the simple, high-density housing built for workers. Their location also highlights how difficult it was to build in The Rocks due to its rocky landscape.
The terraces are also significant because they were part of the first big restoration project by the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority in 1972. This project changed how people thought about preserving old buildings in The Rocks. It helped turn the area from a residential zone into a popular place for businesses and tourists.
Connection to Important People and Groups
The Playfair Street Terraces are linked to several government groups that managed and worked on the buildings, like the Sydney Harbour Trust and the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority. They are also connected to local business people who helped develop the area.
Interestingly, the terraces are associated with Thomas Playfair, a local butcher who became the Lord Mayor of Sydney and a Member of Parliament. Playfair Street is named after him.
Architectural Beauty and Design
The terraces are good examples of 19th-century workers' homes. Even though some parts have been changed, they still show their original design and simple style. They also show how architectural styles changed between the 1870s and 1880s. The earlier terraces (17-31) are simple, while the later ones (13-15) have a bit more decoration.
These buildings are a key part of the Playfair Street area. They add to the mix of old homes and businesses that make The Rocks unique.
Social and Cultural Importance
The terraces have been home to many different people over the years. They were once part of an area that was considered a "slum." But thanks to efforts to improve and restore them, they continue to be a part of The Rocks' social and economic life. The decision to save these buildings in the 1970s was influenced by community groups and "green bans," which were protests to protect historic areas. This marked a new way of thinking about preserving Sydney's built history.
Learning from the Past
Even with some changes, the terraces still hold clues about how people lived and how buildings were constructed in the late 1800s. They can help us understand the living conditions of ordinary people back then. The nearby Foundation Park also has archaeological items that show what life was like. Because the buildings are easy for the public to visit, they help everyone appreciate the history of The Rocks.
Unique Features
While there are other 19th-century terraces in The Rocks, the Playfair Street Terraces are one of the only groups of workers' terraces with cantilevered balconies (balconies that stick out without support from below) remaining in the area. Together with the Atherden Street Terraces, they are an important reminder of how residential The Rocks used to be.
