Taylor Square Substation No. 6 and Underground Conveniences facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taylor Square Substation No.6 |
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Taylor Square Substation No. 6 and Underground Conveniences, Taylor Square, New South Wales
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| Location | intersection of Taylor Square, Oxford, Forbes and Bourke Streets, Darlinghurst, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1904–1907 |
| Architect | Robert Hargreave Brodrick (substation & underground conveniences) |
| Architectural style(s) | Edwardian Civic |
| Owner | City of Sydney |
| Official name: Taylor Square Substation No.6 & Underground Public Conveniences; Underground Men's Conveniences; Underground Public Conveniences; Taylor Square toilets; utilities; Electric Substation No. 6; Substation No.1 | |
| Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 July 2004 |
| Reference no. | 1700 |
| Type | Civic Square |
| Category | Government and Administration |
| Builders | Owen Ridge & Sons (substation) G.D. Getherson (underground conveniences) |
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The Taylor Square Substation No.6 and Underground Conveniences are two historic buildings in Darlinghurst, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. They are located where Taylor Square, Oxford, Forbes, and Bourke Streets meet. These buildings include an electrical substation and public toilets located underground.
Both structures were designed by Robert Hargreave Brodrick. They were built between 1904 and 1907. Owen Ridge & Sons built the substation, and G. D. Getherson built the underground toilets. The City of Sydney owns these important historical sites. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on July 2, 2004, because of their special history and design.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Early Days of Darlinghurst
The area now known as Darlinghurst was once called Woolloomooloo Heights. It was also known as Eastern Hill and Henrietta Town. In the 1820s, Governor Ralph Darling renamed it Darlinghurst. He chose this name to honor his wife, Eliza Darling. The word "Hurst" is an old English word for a wooded hill.
In the early 1800s, several large windmills stood on the hills here. They used the strong winds to grind flour from grain. The area started as "Henrietta Town," named after Elizabeth Macquarie. At that time, it was also an Aboriginal reserve.
By the late 1830s, Darlinghurst had many homes. It was filled with small terrace houses and grander homes.
The Gaol and Transport Hub
In 1841, the Darlinghurst Gaol (jail) was built. This changed how people saw the suburb. The jail was built on 3.5 acres of land. Convicts quarried stone from nearby William Street. They then shaped the blocks by hand. The first public hanging happened there in 1841.
Next to the jail, the Darlinghurst Courthouse was built in the 1840s. By the late 1800s, Taylor Square became a busy place. It was a major stop for buses and steam trams.
Public Toilets and Street Cleaning
In 1883, a public urinal (a place for men to use the toilet) was at Taylor Square. By 1885, a steel structure was built over it. This structure held elevated saltwater tanks. These tanks were likely used to clean the streets. This was an early way to keep the city clean.
Bringing Electricity to Sydney
On October 16, 1896, a new law was passed. It allowed the Sydney Municipal Council to light streets. It also let them provide electricity to homes and businesses.
The Electricity Substation No. 6 was finished in 1904. It is one of the first five substations built by the Council. These substations brought electricity to Sydney for the first time. On July 8, 1904, the city's electric lights were switched on. Electricity quickly became a popular new service. The Substation worked from 1904 to 1993. It helped bring major technology changes to Sydney.
Underground Conveniences for Public Health
After a serious health concern in Sydney in 1900, the Council decided to build more public toilets. They planned to build one underground men's toilet each year from 1901 to 1911.
The Underground Men's Conveniences at Taylor Square were built in 1907. They replaced the old public urinals and saltwater tank. This was the sixth underground toilet built in Sydney.
City Beautiful Movement
These new public buildings were part of the "City Beautiful" movement in Sydney. This movement aimed to improve city design. It led to a complete redesign of Oxford Street and the creation of Taylor Square in 1907.
The public space and streets were changed for the first electric tram. The Substation provided electricity for the new trams. The toilets served the many tram passengers. The Taylor Square Conveniences are the only remaining example of these early underground public toilets in Sydney.
Toilets for Women
For many years, there was debate about where to put public toilets for women. In 1938, the Council changed the Substation building. They added women's conveniences to the southern end. These were the first public toilets for women at Taylor Square. This happened 55 years after the first male urinal was put there.
This change showed how social attitudes were evolving. It also showed the growing efforts of women's groups in Sydney. The first public women's toilets in Sydney were built in 1910 at Hyde Park.
Both the toilets and the substation were closed in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
What the Buildings Look Like
Substation No. 6
The Substation is a rectangular building. It is made of brick with sandstone details. It has strong stone blocks above windows and at the base. The top of the building has a decorative wall called a parapet.
The main floor of the Substation is below street level. You can reach it by stairs from Bourke Street. There is also an upper level inside. The inside has concrete floors with metal covers over trenches. The walls are painted brick.
Underground Men's Conveniences
The Underground Men's Conveniences have an Edwardian style. Outside, there is a decorative wrought iron fence and gates. These gates have Art Nouveau designs. Two curved staircases lead down to the toilets. They go around a central vent that used to have a decorative metal top.
Inside, the main area is made of brick with a curved concrete ceiling. It has five toilet cubicles and two ceramic urinals. There is also a room for an attendant under the stairs. The inner walls have white glass tiles and green floral patterns. Many original wooden doors and frames are still there.
Women's Conveniences
The women's conveniences are on the first floor at the southern end of the Substation. Many of the original walls, woodwork, and toilets are still in place. The toilets are along the western wall. Wash basins are along the northern wall. The entrance has cream ceramic tiles. The floor has linoleum with red skirting boards. The ceiling has wired glass skylights and metal vents.
Condition and Changes
Building Condition
As of 2003, the Conveniences were in good shape. However, the roof needed a new waterproof layer. The steel beams supporting the roof showed some rust. The Substation was also in good condition. But the two end walls had cracks that needed fixing.
Both buildings have kept much of their original design.
Changes Over Time
- 1904: Electrical Substation No.6 was built.
- 1905: The Substation's temporary stairs were replaced with permanent iron ones.
- 1907: The Underground (male) Public Conveniences were built.
- 1928/1938: Saltwater tanks were removed. Changes were made to the roof and brickwork.
- 1938: Ladies Conveniences were added inside the substation building.
- 1940: Minor changes were made to the Underground Conveniences. This included new urinal stalls and lighting.
- 1961: More small updates were made to the Underground Conveniences.
- 1988: The Underground Conveniences were closed to the public.
- 1993: The Substation stopped operating.
- 2001: An art exhibition was held in the Underground Conveniences.
Why These Buildings Are Important
The Underground Public Conveniences and Substation No. 6 are a unique set of public buildings from early 20th century Sydney. They are important for their history, design, and what they represent.
These buildings include the oldest surviving underground public toilet in Sydney (from 1907). They also have the most complete early electrical substation in New South Wales (from 1904). These buildings helped bring modern sanitation and electricity to Sydney. They show how Sydney became a modern city.
Both buildings are great examples of Edwardian Civic architecture. They were designed by Robert Hargreave Brodrick, a well-known architect. They are important landmarks in Taylor Square. These buildings have been part of Taylor Square's identity since the early 1900s. They are linked to the first electric tram service that ran through this area.
The design and quality of these buildings also show the "City Beautiful" movement. This movement aimed to improve city design and traffic flow in Sydney.
Taylor Square has also been a key location for important community events. Since the first community march started here in 1978, it has been a focus for celebrations of diversity. The annual Mardi Gras, an internationally recognized event, continues to focus on this area.
The Substation also holds the first public female toilet at Taylor Square, built in 1938. This shows how social attitudes changed and how women's groups became more active in Sydney.
Historical Significance
These buildings are important because they show how Sydney developed. They are rare examples of public utilities from the early 1900s. They show major changes in public health, technology, and city design.
They also show the history of the first electric tram in the state. The substation provided power for the trams. The toilets served the many tram passengers.
The underground toilets show how public health improved after a serious health concern in Sydney in 1900. The Underground Public Conveniences are the oldest existing underground toilets in Sydney.
Electricity Substation No. 6 was one of the first to bring electricity to Sydney. It worked for almost 90 years. It marks the start of a big technology change in the 20th century.
The Substation also has the first public women's toilets in Taylor Square. This was largely due to the efforts of early women's groups. It shows how the role of women in public life changed.
Community Connections
The Substation and Underground Conveniences have been a constant part of important community events in Australia. Taylor Square was the starting point for the first community march in 1978. This area continues to be a focus for the annual Mardi Gras. This event is well-known in Australia and around the world.
These buildings are important meeting places in Taylor Square and Oxford Street. They help the community feel connected to the area.
Design and Creativity
Electricity Substation No. 6 and the Underground Conveniences are landmarks of Taylor Square. They help define one of Sydney City's important public spaces.
These buildings are great examples of Edwardian Civic architecture. They also have some Art Deco features. They were designed by Robert Hargreave Brodrick. Their design shows the "City Beautiful" movement's ideas to improve city design.
Together, these buildings add to the historic streetscape of Sydney. They are near the important Darlinghurst Courthouse.
Unique Features
The Underground Public Conveniences are rare in Australia. They are the oldest existing underground toilets in Sydney. They are also the only surviving example of the first group of public underground toilets in Sydney. The Taylor Square toilet was also the only one with special interlocking curved staircases.
Substation No. 6 is rare because it is the most complete of the first substations built in the state. It worked continuously for many years.
Together, these buildings show the major technology achievements of the early 20th century. These achievements helped transform Australia's cities into modern places.
