The Sydney Club facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Sydney Club |
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| Location | 122 Pitt Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1886–1887 |
| Architect | Mansfield Brothers |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Mannerist |
| Official name: Sydney Club; The Sydney Club; Million House | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 583 |
| Type | Bank |
| Category | Commercial |
| Builders | A & A Scott |
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The Sydney Club is a special old building in Sydney, Australia. It's located on Pitt Street in the city center. This building was designed by the Mansfield Brothers and built between 1886 and 1887. A company called A & A Scott did the building work. It is also known as Million House. Because of its history and design, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's a protected historical site.
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History of The Sydney Club Building
Pitt Street is one of the oldest streets in Australia. It was named very early in Sydney's history. People think it was named after William Pitt Scott, a British Prime Minister. The land where The Sydney Club stands was first given to Joseph Wyatt in 1836. This was a special land grant from the government.
In the mid-1800s, the site had different businesses. From 1858 to 1870, John Glue ran a "labour bazaar" and a restaurant there. A labour bazaar was a place where people could find work. Later, he had a grocery store. From 1871 to 1885, a place called the City Bank Hotel was on this spot.
From Bank to Club House
In 1884, the Commercial Bank of Australia bought the land. They wanted to build a new bank. The Mansfield Brothers, local architects, drew up the plans. The bank directors approved a budget of £12,299 for the building. This was a lot of money back then!
The new bank building had a large basement, a ground floor, and two upper floors. The parts facing Pitt and Rowe Streets were made of light cream-colored stone from Pyrmont. This stone was carefully shaped and polished. All other walls were made of strong brick. The building was finished and opened in early 1887. The bank used the ground floor and basement for its business. The upper floors were rented out to lawyers and other groups.
In 1918, the Royal Bank bought the building for £40,500. In 1919, the building was updated. This included changes to the main banking area and adding a lift. A local architect named J. Burcham Clamp designed these changes. In 1927, another bank, the English, Scottish & Australia Bank, took over the Royal Bank.
The Millions Club Era
The building at 122 Pitt Street was put up for sale again. On August 24, 1927, the Millions Club of NSW bought it for £65,000. The Millions Club was started in 1912 by important business people. Their main goal was to encourage more people to move to Australia. They were inspired by clubs in America that wanted to boost city populations to a million people.
Before World War I, the Club focused on improving roads and housing. When the war started, their immigration plans were put on hold. Instead, they raised money for the Red Cross. After the war, the Club helped new arrivals settle in Australia. They also worked on big projects like irrigation schemes for farms. They helped build railway lines to distant parts of the state. They even helped with public health and supported the NSW State Orchestra. After World War II, the government took more control over immigration. This meant the Club had less direct involvement. But from 1954, they published a helpful magazine called "Millions." It gave information to migrants and helped them with problems.
After buying the building, the Club hired architects Morrow and Gordon. They planned to turn the ground floor into shops. This would help the Club earn money. In 1928, they decided to add a third and fourth floor to the building. Morrow and Gordon Architects also designed these additions. The "Millions Club of NSW" officially opened on March 11. The State Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair, who was a supporter of the Club, opened it.
Becoming The Sydney Club
By 1963, the name "Millions Club" didn't fit anymore. So, the name was changed to The Sydney Club. In 1972, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club joined The Sydney Club. This happened because the Yacht Club's own building was being redeveloped. Work was done to create a special clubroom and office for the yachting members.
The Sydney Club is proud to have lasted so long. Many other clubs did not survive. Today, the Club works on important issues. They resist new naval buildings on Sydney Harbour. They also help protect famous landmarks like the Queen Victoria Building. The Club has also increased its support for charities. They especially help those that care for people in the City of Sydney.
Design of The Sydney Club Building
The Sydney Club is a five-story building made of stone and brick. It stands on the corner of Pitt and Rowe Streets in Sydney's city center. The original building was designed in 1886 by George Allen Mansfield. It was built in a style called Victorian Mannerist. This style uses classical design elements in a grand way.
In 1929, the top two levels were added by Morrow and Gordon. They made sure these new levels matched the original style. A special floor called a mezzanine was also added. This floor is between the ground and first floors. It helped create seven shops on the ground level and a showroom on the mezzanine.
The building has strong masonry walls. These walls support the building's weight. Inside, there are some timber and steel parts. The sides of the building facing the streets have fancy designs. They use columns and different window styles. The street-level shop fronts have been changed over time. The floors inside are made of timber and covered with carpet. The roof is flat and has rooms for plants and services. The roof is surrounded by low walls called parapets. There are also hidden gutters along the north and south walls. An awning was added to the building in 1929. Even though some parts of the basement and ground floor have changed, you can still see parts from the original building. The building has many decorations. These include cornices (decorative moldings), attached columns, and imitation stone designs.
Building Changes Over Time
- 1919– The building was updated and "modernized." A lift was installed.
- 1927– The ground floor was changed to have shops.
- 1928– The third and fourth stories were added to the building.
Why The Sydney Club is a Heritage Site
As of 2004, The Sydney Club, also known as Million House, is a five-story building. The bottom three stories are in the Victorian Mannerist style. The top two stories were added later but match the original design well.
This building is historically important. It shows how clubs like the Millions Club played a role in the city's development. It's also close to the financial center of Martin Place. The building is beautiful because of its detailed design, both inside and out. It's known for its rough-textured panels and decorative stone arches. Its entrance with granite columns is also special. The building is a landmark on Pitt Street. It helps connect other Victorian buildings in the area. It also shows what club facilities were like in Sydney.
The Sydney Club is socially important because the Millions Club (now The Sydney Club) has been there for so long. The club entrance and coffee shop on Rowe Street still give a sense of the old lane.
The Sydney Club was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because it met these important rules:
Showing History
The Sydney Club shows how commercial buildings were developed in central Sydney in the late Victorian era. It used to be a bank. Its location near the financial center of Martin Place reminds us how Sydney grew as a business hub.
Important People and Groups
The Sydney Club is important because it was the main office for the influential Sydney Club, formerly the Million Club. This Club wanted to increase immigration to Sydney. But it also helped New South Wales in many other ways. This included irrigation projects, roads, and railways. Many important people were members of the Club. These included Percy Hunter, Governor of NSW Sir Walter Edward Davidson, Sir Arthur Rickard, Sir Joseph Carruthers (a former state governor), and Dr John Charles Wright (the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney).
Beautiful Design and Skill
The Sydney Club is a great example of the Victorian Mannerist architectural style. This style was used for commercial buildings. The lower floors have beautiful architectural decorations. Even though the street level has changed, the design is still impressive. The 1929 addition of the third and fourth stories matched the building's original style very well. The Sydney Club is a landmark at the corner of Pitt and Rowe Streets. It's a key building that links other Victorian buildings in the area to the General Post Office, Sydney at Martin Place.
Community and Culture
The Sydney Club is important to the many immigrants it helped. The Millions Club and Sydney Club provided information and facilities. They helped new arrivals settle into life in Australia. The Sydney Club is also important locally as the headquarters for the Sydney Yacht Club.
