View Terrace facades facts for kids
Quick facts for kids View Terrace facades |
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View Terrace Facades, 26-30 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, NSW
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| Location | 26-30 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1893 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Italianate |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: View Terrace N & W Facades; Formerly 22-30 Gloucester Street; part of 40 Gloucester Street development | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1614 |
| Type | Terrace |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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The View Terrace facades are the front parts of old buildings in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. These facades are now part of office buildings. They used to be homes called terrace houses. The buildings were constructed in 1893. They are important because they are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means they are protected for their history and beauty. The property is owned by Property NSW, a government agency in New South Wales.
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History of View Terrace
The area where View Terrace stands has a long history. In 1807, there were gardens and buildings here. Over time, different people owned the land. In 1812, a part of the land was sold for £35. Later, in 1835, another part was given to William Foster, a shipbuilder.
By 1845, there were two stone buildings on the site. They had two rooms each and roofs made of wooden shingles. For many years, these buildings were rented out. One owner, Thomas Douglas, kept the northern part of the land in his family.
From 1861 to 1882, George Lake Young owned the northern building. He was an upholsterer, someone who makes furniture comfortable. The southern building had various tenants, including a quarryman and a sailor. Around 1882, the northern house was pulled down. The southern property was demolished around 1890.
In 1893, William Hitchcock bought the land. He built a new set of five three-storey houses. These houses were made of brick and had a special style called Victorian Italianate. He named them "View Terrace." The houses were rented out to many different people. One house, No. 22, even had a shop. View Terrace was used as homes until 1980.
Changes to the Area
Big changes happened in the area between 1911 and 1912. Cumberland Street was moved, which meant some of View Terrace had to be demolished. Houses No. 22-24 Gloucester Street were pulled down. The road level was also raised by three metres.
In the 1980s, many buildings in The Rocks were old and empty. View Terrace was one of them. Plans were made to rebuild the area. It was decided to keep the front parts, or facades, of View Terrace. So, in 1985-1986, a new four-level office building was built. This new building, called 40 Gloucester Street, kept the old View Terrace facades as its front. This shows how important it was to save parts of the old buildings.
What View Terrace Looks Like
View Terrace is a good example of the Victorian Italianate style. It was built in 1893 using brick covered in stucco, which is a type of plaster.
Key Features of the Facades
The facades have special details:
- Keystones: These are wedge-shaped stones at the top of arches above windows and doors.
- Mouldings: These are decorative strips around openings.
- Pilasters: These are flat, column-like shapes that divide the front of the building. They make the building look grand.
- Balcony: The first floor has a balcony with a balustrade, which is a fancy railing.
- Parapet: The roofline has a detailed wall called a parapet. In the middle of this wall, you can see the name "View Terrace" and the date "1892."
The building is actually lower than the current street level. It has a large open space in front called a forecourt. This forecourt shows where the original Gloucester Street used to be. It also extends to an area with a loquat tree, created when parts of the terrace were demolished for the Argyle Bridge.
Condition and Changes
The View Terrace facades are in good condition today. They have been restored.
Over the years, some parts of the original terrace were changed:
- In the early 1900s, houses No. 22-24 Gloucester Street were demolished.
- The original road level was marked with paving. Stairs were built from Gloucester Street to Cambridge Street.
- In 1985-1986, the facades of Nos. 26-30 Gloucester Street were kept. They became part of the new office building at 40 Gloucester Street. Other parts of the old terrace were pulled down and replaced with a new building that matched the old style.
Why View Terrace is Important
The View Terrace facades are important to the history and culture of New South Wales. They help us understand how The Rocks area has changed over time.
Historical Importance
The facades show what the street looked like before major changes in 1911. The different floor levels and steps tell the story of how streets were realigned and bridges were built. The facades also show how terrace houses were designed in Australia during the Victorian period. They remind us of the homes that used to be in The Rocks.
View Terrace was built to be rented out for money. In 1900, the government took over the property. It was then rented to working-class families. In the 1980s, when the area was redeveloped, the government decided to keep the facades. This shows how ideas about saving old buildings have changed over time.
Architectural Beauty
The facades are beautiful and well-designed. They fit in well with other old buildings on Gloucester Street. Even though the building is now offices, its front still looks like the homes it once was. It helps keep the historic look of the street.
Community Impact
The preservation of the Gloucester Street Terraces, including View Terrace, happened because of community action. People fought to save these buildings. This shows how residents can influence government decisions about protecting heritage. Many working-class families lived in these terraces. The government helped by setting fair rents, allowing people to stay in their homes for many years.
Research Potential
Even though much of the original building behind the facades was removed, the facades themselves are still valuable for research. They can help experts study how terrace house designs developed in New South Wales.
Rarity and Representation
The View Terrace facades are a unique design, even though they fit a common architectural style of their time. They are a good example of the Victorian Italianate style used for terrace houses in Australia.
