Sydney Water Head Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sydney Water Head Office |
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Detail of the building facade, pictured in 2015
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| Location | 339–341 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia |
| Built | 1938–1939 |
| Architect | Budden & Mackey |
| Architectural style(s) | Art Deco |
| Official name: Sydney Water Head Office (former) (1939 building); Water Board Building; Sydney Water Head Office; the 1965 extension to the Headquarters of the Metropolitan Water; Sewerage and Drainage Board of Sydney; MWS&DB; | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 15 November 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1645 |
| Type | Office building |
| Category | Government and Administration |
| Builders | Howie Moffat & Co. |
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The Sydney Water Head Office is a historic building in the heart of Sydney, Australia. It used to be the main office for Sydney Water, which manages water, sewerage, and drainage for the city. Today, this beautiful building is known as the Primus Hotel Sydney.
It was designed by famous architects Budden & Mackey and built between 1938 and 1939. For many years, it was the headquarters for the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board, which later became Sydney Water. In 2009, Sydney Water moved to Parramatta, and this building was turned into a fancy hotel. The Primus Hotel Sydney is the first hotel outside China for the Primus Hotel chain.
This important building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 15, 2002, meaning it's protected for its historical and architectural value.
Contents
Building History
The Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board, which was in charge of Sydney's water, started its first office in April 1888 near Circular Quay. However, this location wasn't very convenient. So, in 1890, they moved to a new spot on Pitt Street.
In 1891, the Board bought a piece of land at the corner of Pitt and Wilmott Streets. They built new offices there, which they moved into in May 1893. As Sydney grew, so did the need for more space. In 1911, they bought more land on Pitt Street and added extensions by 1918.
Even more land was bought in 1929 and 1936. This allowed for a much larger building to be planned. In 1936, the decision was made to clear the site and build a brand new, bigger office. This new building, with a basement, ground floor, mezzanine, and six upper floors, was finished on December 24, 1939. The Board started working there on January 2, 1940.
The building was designed by the well-known architectural firm Budden and Mackey. They also designed other important buildings in Sydney. The construction was done by Howie Moffat & Co. A sculptor named Stanley Hammond created the cool bas relief artwork you can see above the Pitt Street entrance.
In 1965, an extension was added along Bathurst Street. However, when Sydney Water moved out in May 2009, the 1939 building was changed into the Primus Hotel. The 1965 extension on Bathurst Street was taken down to make way for a new skyscraper development called the Greenland Centre Sydney.
Building Design
This building is a fantastic example of the Art Deco style, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It uses many different colored granite and marble materials, making it look very grand. You can also see cool architectural terracotta tiles and shiny bronze and copper details. The curved windows on the corner are a special touch.
Above the main entrance on Pitt Street, there are special artwork panels called bas reliefs. These artworks tell a story about the water industry and how its technology has grown over time.
Inside, the main entrance area has beautiful marble and travertine stone on the floors and walls. While some parts have been updated, you can still find original features. For example, on the ground floor, there are special columns covered in a material called scagliola, which looks like marble.
The building also has an inner courtyard. This open space helps bring natural light into the offices inside. The walls of the courtyard are covered in white glazed ceramic tiles to reflect as much light as possible. Many of the original stone floors and walls on the upper levels are still there, along with some of the original wooden details.
Today, the 1939 building looks best when viewed from Pitt Street, especially from the intersection of Pitt and Bathurst Street.
Why It's Special
The former Sydney Water Head Office building is very important to the history and culture of New South Wales. It shows how Sydney Water grew and how important it has been to the lives of people in the state.
This building is a great example of architectural design from its time. Its original look, the materials used, and how it was built are all very special. It's also highly valued by many community groups and experts across Australia.
The Sydney Water Head Office was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 15, 2002, because it meets several important criteria:
Historical Importance
The building served as the main office for Sydney Water and its earlier forms from 1939 until 2009. This organization, which started in 1888, is one of Australia's oldest water and sewerage authorities. The building has been the place where many big decisions were made about Sydney's water, sewage, and drainage systems. Many engineers and staff who worked here were responsible for major projects like building dams and tunnels.
The building's size and quality show how important the Water Board was at the time. It also reflects the growth of Sydney and the demand for more staff and services. It's one of the last major government office buildings completed before World War II, marking a shift in architectural styles.
Design and Artistic Value
This building was designed with the latest ideas and details for office buildings of its time. It's considered one of the best examples of institutional Art Deco architecture in Sydney, and possibly all of New South Wales. The architects, Budden and Mackey, were very influential.
The building uses high-quality materials like scagliola, marble, travertine, terrazzo, and terracotta tiles. It would be very difficult and expensive to build something like this today. The building also features three special bronze art panels created by Stanley James Hammond, a well-known sculptor. All these elements make it a beautiful and unique part of Sydney's cityscape.
Community Connection
The building is recognized by the Heritage Council of NSW for its historical, scientific, cultural, and aesthetic value. Since it was the Head Office for Sydney Water, many people in Sydney worked there over the years. These former employees likely have strong memories and connections to the building.
Organizations like the National Trust of Australia and the Art Deco Society also value the building for its outstanding design. It's seen as a place that has important aesthetic, historical, scientific, and social meaning for both current and future generations.
Research Potential
The building has high-quality materials and details that are now rare. This includes the use of scagliola, bronze, copper, architectural terracotta, and bas relief panels. Studying these elements can help us understand more about building techniques and designs from that era.
Rarity
As the headquarters of Sydney Water Corporation, both the 1939 building and its 1966 extension (now demolished) were unique in their high quality and innovative design for their time.
Typical Characteristics
Some parts of the building's construction and use of materials are similar to other commercial buildings built around the same time. This means it also represents a common style of building from that period.
