Young Street Terraces facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Young Street Terraces |
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The terrace houses pictured in 2019
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| Location | 36-42 Young Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1874–1875 |
| Architect | Joseph Paul Walker (attrib.) |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Filigree |
| Official name: Young Street Terraces; Sydney Hospital Nurses Annex; Nurses quarters; Government Offices | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 974 |
| Type | Terrace |
| Category | Government and Administration |
| Builders | Joseph Paul Walker |
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The Young Street Terraces are a group of historic buildings in Sydney, Australia. They used to be offices for the government and homes for nurses. Today, they are still used as offices. These buildings are located at 36-42 Young Street in the heart of Sydney's business area. They were designed and built by Joseph Paul Walker between 1874 and 1875. The terraces are also known by other names, like the Sydney Hospital Nurses Annex. They were officially recognized as a special heritage site on April 2, 1999.
Contents
A Look Back: The Story of Young Street Terraces
From Government Land to Homes and Offices
The land where the Young Street Terraces stand was once part of the very first Government House in Sydney. In 1851, this land was given to the Sydney City Council. The Council then divided the land into smaller pieces to sell.
Two of these pieces of land were sold in 1866. They changed hands a few times. In 1874, a builder named J. W. Walker bought them. Walker then built the terrace houses around 1874-1875.
Early Uses: Offices and a Museum
After building them, Walker rented out the houses as offices. Numbers 36, 38, and 40 were used by the Mining Board. Number 42 became an office for the Department of Lands.
From 1876 to 1881, a mining museum even opened in two rooms on the ground floor of No. 38. In 1881, Walker sold the property. By 1884, the government was using the buildings for the Public Works Department. Different government departments continued to use these terraces until 1936.
From Nurses' Homes to Modern Offices
Between 1937 and 1982, the terraces became temporary homes for nurses from Sydney Hospital. The old offices were changed into living spaces for them. In 1961, the back of the property was turned into a car park.
In 1982, Sydney Hospital no longer needed the building. It stayed empty for a while. Later, around 1997, the building was updated. It was made into modern offices for the Sydney Festival and the NSW Historic Houses Trust. In 1998, the ownership of the property was given to the Minister for the Arts.
What the Young Street Terraces Look Like
Architectural Style and Materials
The Young Street Terraces are located in the northern part of Sydney's main business area. They are built in a style called Victorian filigree. This style often features decorative ironwork.
The building has four separate units, each with three floors and a basement. All the floors are connected inside. The main parts of the building are made of brick covered with a smooth finish. The floors inside are made of timber. The basements are built from sandstone and soft brick, with concrete floors. The roof is made of corrugated steel. The verandahs and balconys have decorative cast iron railings.
Inside the Terraces
Inside, the main walls are either smooth masonry or plaster. Many of the original details are still there. This includes the skirting boards, door and window frames, doors, windows, and their handles. The staircases and fireplaces are also original. On the first floor, there are timber frames with decorative columns around the fireplaces. Some of the original doors have been moved and reused in other parts of the building.
Changes Over Time
Some parts that were added to the building later, like certain bath and kitchen areas at the back, have since been removed. The building has been updated to include modern office features and services for the people who work there now.
Why Young Street Terraces Are Important
A Link to Sydney's Past
As of 2001, the Young Street Terraces were the only buildings still standing in their original spot that showed how the area developed after the first Government House was built. They were part of the early growth of this area. This area later became a major government office district in the late 1800s.
The simple design of these terraces is different from the grander public buildings built later in the 19th century. This shows how ideas about public buildings changed over time. Along with the Phillip Street Terraces, these buildings are a rare example of residential-style buildings that are still found in Sydney's central business district.
The changes made to the building over the years have been small. You can still clearly see that they were originally designed as homes. The Young Street Terraces were officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
See also
- Australian residential architectural styles
