Trocadero, Newtown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trocadero |
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The Trocadero in 2007 following restoration
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| Location | 69-77 King Street, Newtown, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1857–1889 |
| Architect | Albert F. Myers and William P. Hendry Architects. |
| Owner | Moore Theological College |
| Official name: Trocadero; Trocadero Hall; The Trocadero Skating Rink; Properts Building; Fuel VFX | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 March 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1380 |
| Type | Skating Rink Roller |
| Category | Recreation and Entertainment |
| Builders | Fallick and Murgatroyd |
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The Trocadero is a very old building in Newtown, Australia. It has been many things over the years. It started as a huge roller skating rink. Later, it became a cinema, a place for dances, and even a workshop for cars. Today, it is an office building.
The Trocadero was designed by Albert F. Myers and William P. Hendry Architects. It was built in 1889 by Fallick and Murgatroyd. Part of the building is even older, from around 1857. Since 2014, a children's cancer charity called CanTeen has had its offices there. The building is also known as Trocadero Hall and the Properts Building. It is a special heritage site in New South Wales.
Contents
A Look Back: The Trocadero's Story
From Skating Fun to Many Uses
The Trocadero Hall was first built in 1889. It was made for Frederick Ferrier as a big roller skating rink. This was a very popular activity back then! Many roller skating rinks opened in Sydney around 1889 and 1890. The Trocadero was known as one of the biggest and best. It was specially built for skating, unlike many others.
However, times changed. In the 1890s, there was an economic downturn. Most skating rinks closed, and the Trocadero shut its doors in 1893. It stayed empty for a few years.
New Beginnings
In 1895, a coach builder named Sydney Simpson bought the building. He used it for his own business. In 1903, the Trocadero reopened as Williams Skating Rink and Music Hall. It had been fully renovated. The building was bought again in 1909 by the Grace family. They owned the famous Grace Bros department stores. They renamed it Elite Rink and Cafe Trocadero.
Over the years, the building continued to change. It became the Trocadero Picture Palace, showing movies. It also hosted vaudeville shows, which were like variety shows, and boxing matches. During World War I, from 1916 to 1922, the Sydney University Women's Settlement used an upper room. It was a special place for soldiers' wives and mothers.
Car Workshops and Modern Offices
In 1920, Propert's Motor Body Company Limited moved into part of the building. By 1922, Propert's was a major car workshop in the area. They had about 60 employees. They bought the whole building in 1945. They kept using it until their business closed in 1979. After that, another car repair business used the site.
In 1976, the Anglican Church of Australia bought the building. They bought it for the Moore Theological College. For many years, the building was not used much. It was neglected until the college restored it in 2006.
In 2014, the building was leased to CanTeen. This is a charity that helps young people living with cancer. In 2017, CanTeen bought the building from the college for $13 million.
The shops facing King Street have always been busy. They have housed many different businesses. These include sweet shops, clothing stores, and furniture showrooms. The older parts of the building have been used as factories and homes.
What the Trocadero Looks Like
The Trocadero building has two main parts. There is a three-story building facing King Street. Behind it is a very large hall. This hall can be reached from both King Street and Campbell Street. The two parts are connected by a hallway.
The King Street Side
The front of the building, facing King Street, is made of brick. It has a special roof called a mansard roof. The front looks very decorative. It has a style called Flemish, with some Gothic details. There are three shop fronts at ground level. Two of them are original, with nice wooden frames.
The Big Hall
The large hall at the back was the original skating rink. It is made of brick. It has rounded window openings. The back of the hall, facing Campbell Street, looks very classic.
Inside the hall, you can see the roof structure. It has beautiful wrought iron beams. These beams stretch across the whole space. They support a raised roof section with windows on the sides. This special roof could even be opened! It was a very clever design for its time. There was also a balcony around the edge of the hall.
The walls of the hall are decorated with columns. These columns have fancy tops. You can also see signs that it was once a movie theater. There are also old gaslight outlets on the walls.
Underneath the big hall, there is a concrete floor space. It has an access door to Campbell Street. The ceiling of this lower space was packed with sawdust. This was probably to help block out the noise from the skating rink above!
Changes Over Time
The Trocadero has been changed many times since it was built.
- Around 1903, the building was remodeled. Stairs were moved, and new toilets were added.
- In 1912, it was adapted to show movies. A projection room was added.
- Electricity was installed between 1916 and 1922.
- Later, steel beams were put in to support heavier loads for the car building business.
- A new floor was built above the skating rink around 1979.
- Many shop fronts and windows have been changed over the years.
Why the Trocadero is Special
The Trocadero is a very important building in New South Wales. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
A Rare Skating Rink
It is one of the few remaining buildings that was built specifically as a roller skating rink in the late 1880s. When it opened, it was thought to be the biggest and most elegant rink in Australia.
Amazing Engineering
The iron roof beams inside the rink are very special. They are early examples of how iron and steel were used in building in the late 1800s. The roof over the windows could even open! This kind of opening roof is extremely rare in Australia. It might even be the only one of its kind left.
Beautiful Design
The building is also a rare example of a Victorian Flemish style commercial building. It has unique Gothic details. Its front on King Street is one of the most decorative buildings there.
A Piece of History
The Trocadero shows us a lot about the history of Newtown and New South Wales. It shows how buildings were used for entertainment, then for industry, and now for offices. It reflects how the economy changed over time. It also has a connection to the early car industry in NSW through Propert's Motorcar works. The building has been a part of the community's social life for many years.
