71 Harrington Street, The Rocks

71 Harrington Street, The Rocks
71 Harrington Street, The Rocks
	71 Harrington Street, The Rocks, New South Wales
Location	71 Harrington Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	33°51′36″S151°12′28″E / 33.8600°S 151.2078°E
Built	1860–
Owner	Property NSW
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	House; Sailors Return Hotel; Stafford Apts.; 75 Harrington Street; Clocktower Development
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	10 May 2002
Reference no.	1551
Type	House
Category	Residential buildings (private)
	Location of 71 Harrington Street, The Rocks in Sydney 71 Harrington Street, The Rocks (Australia)

Last updated December 10, 2024

71 Harrington Street, The Rocks are heritage-listed serviced apartments and former terrace houses and shops located at 71 Harrington Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1860. It is also known as Sailors Return Hotel; Stafford Apts. and 75 Harrington Street; Clocktower Development. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.^[1]

History

The site, in 1807, was located to the west of the garden of the Colony's hospital. After the formation of Harrington Street a portion comprising 13 perches on the western side of the street was granted to a Claimant Thomas Weedon in November 1840. The site was allotment 8 in Section 79 as show on an 1835 survey. Weedon continued as landlord until a date between 1867 and 1871, when Frederick Oatley purchased the property. The 1835 survey map shows an L-shaped building located in the northern half of the site together with a substantial structure to the south. In 1845 the City Council assessed the northern section of the site as containing a two-room stone house with shingled roof. The two room stone house appears in the Rate Assessment books, described as a "very old building", until 1882, when no entry is recorded at this address. The 1891 rate assessment notes Oatley and Cahill as the owners of the site. Oatley remained the owner until c. 1895, when E. B. McKenny became proprietor. The site appears to have remained vacant until c. 1896, when a building, rated as a two-storey house, was constructed for E. B. McKenny.^[1]

The house first appeared in the 1898 Sands Directory, when it was known as 33 Harrington Street. It was rated as a shop, and was occupied by a George Jones. The numbering changed to 71 Harrington Street in 1924.^[1]

In December 1900 Harrington Street was resumed by the NSW Government as part of Section 8 Observatory Hill lands, component of section 79 City of Sydney. Entries in various Sands Directories indicate that George Jones operated a lodging house at 33 Harrington Street between 1903 and 1918. In 1919 and 1920 Mrs Mary Jones managed the establishment. In the 1920s and 30s there was a large turnover of tenants in the building, tenants paying £ 1/7/6 per week in the 1920s and £ 1/9/6 per week in the 1930s. SCA tenancy records provide evidence of the everyday existential problems of tenants, noting endless rental arrears and requests for rental reduction or transfer to cheaper premises. In February 1937 George Henry Johnson signed the tenancy contract for the premises. Johnson and his family remained tenant at 71 Harrington Street until 1973, paying £ 1/5/0 per week in 1937, £ 2/16/0 in 1957 and $20 in 1973. Sydney Cove Authority records note rental arrears and indebtedness of G. H. Johnson a number of times during the 36 years of his tenancy.^[1]

Tenancy records note a number of smaller repair and improvement and the tenant's request "to have the hall and kitchen renovated" and "to have gas store connected" (1944). In 1946 Johnson asked the "Board to build verandah or porch" and applied "for a new entrance be made from the residence to Harrington Street". The tenant's request for renovation and repairs indicate that in the 1960s the building was in a run-down condition. The building was vacant for at least ten years then in the late-1980s it was redeveloped as part of the Clock Tower development.^[1]

During the redevelopment of the block in the 1980s the rear section of the house at 71 Harrington Street was demolished. The 1986 plan below indicates that half of the rear portion and the chimney stack were removed and a single brick wall built at the western end of the house. Some of the existing internal walls were removed, two doorways were bricked up and new doors and a window were fitted into existing walls at both levels. The architectural character of the street façade and the general roof form together with the noteworthy chimney were retained, but the original house lost its size, mass and form, with much of its original fabric modified. The refurbishment involved the re-roofing of the buildings, replacement of floors and replacement of original features such as fireplaces, doors and windows with sympathetic replicated elements. While the house was modified, it generally still presents as intact when viewed from Harrington Street.^[1]

Description

71 Harrington Street was constructed c. 1895. Originally rated as a "shop" it later became a "lodging house" and, finally, a house. As far it is known the original roof was of corrugated iron.

Storeys: Two; Facade: Brick and render; Roof Cladding: Iron.^[1]

Condition

As at 27 April 2001, Archaeology Assessment Condition: Partly disturbed. Assessment Basis: Area under building only. Terraced into hill slope.^[1]

Modifications and dates

1986/87: The facade of the building was restored as part of the Clocktower development. The iron on the roof was replaced.^[1]

Heritage listing

As at 30 March 2011, this house and site are of State heritage significance for their historical and scientific cultural values. The site and building are also of State heritage significance for their contribution to The Rocks area which is of State Heritage significance in its own right.^[1]

The site has historical significance as part of the Colony's hospital site in 1807, and the building as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. It has aesthetic significance as part of a strong visual precinct of buildings with Nos. 55-69 and Nos. 42-52 and the Harbour Rocks Hotel on the other side of the street, and with the buildings at 39-47 Argyle Street.^[1]

Originally built in the 1890s, the house at 71 Harrington Street provided accommodation for the lower middle and working classes in residence in The Rocks until the mid-1970s. In the late-1980s the rear section of the house was demolished and the retained portion became incorporated into the serviced apartment building of the Clock Tower development. The building lost its identity and ability to demonstrate its original configuration and use. The retained street section, however, enhances the human scale of the streetscape. Together with the adjacent terraces it forms a strong visual precinct, contributing to the characteristic Rocks townscape.^[1]

House was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.

Originally built in the 1890s, the house at 71 Harrington Street provided accommodation of the lower middle and working classes in residence in The Rocks until the mid-1970s The remaining portion of the house at 71 Harrington Street has historic significance as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. The site has historical significance as part of the Colony's hospital site in 1807, and the building as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. The item meets this criterion at State level.^[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history.

The house is associated with the residential life-styles of the lower middle and working classes in residence in The Rocks between the 1890s and the mid 1970s.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The retained section of the house has aesthetic significance as part of a strong visual precinct forming a characteristic Rocks townscape with the adjacent terraces and the Harbour Rocks Hotel on the other side of the street. The retained street section of the former house enhances the human scale of the streetscape and reinforces the historic character of The Rocks. The item meets this criterion at State level.^[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

The cottages contribute strongly to the character of The Rocks heritage precinct which is highly valued by the contemporary community in Sydney and by visitors from elsewhere in Australia and overseas. This is evidenced by the listing on the National Trust Register^[1]

The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

The sandstone cliff face at the street frontage serves as continuous remainder of the original ragged topography of The Rocks peninsula. The item does not meet this criterion at either State or local level.^[1]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

There are no historic features of the place that exhibit an uncommon, rare or endangered aspect of NSW's cultural or natural history. The item does not meet this criterion at either State or local level.^[1]

Related Research Articles

The Harbour Rocks Hotel is a heritage-listed pub, hotel, shops and former warehouse and terrace cottages located at 34–40 and 42–52 Harrington Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1873 to 1875; and again during 1890 for George Evans. It is also known as Evans' Stores. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Accountants House is a heritage-listed commercial building and former warehouse located at 117–119 Harrington Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Spain and Cosh and built c. 1914. It is also known as Dawnay Day House. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Cleland Bond Store is a heritage-listed former warehouse and bond store and now department store and shops located at 33 Playfair Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1913 to 1914. It is also known as Cleland Bond Store (part of Argyle Stores) and Cleland Store. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

The Argyle Terrace – Caminetto's Restaurant is a heritage-listed former residence and now restaurant located at 13–15 Playfair Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by built for Thomas Playfair from 1883 to 1884. It is also known as Former Harry's Bar and Sorrentos. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Playfair's Terrace are heritage-listed terrace houses located at 1–7 Atherden Street in the inner-city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built in 1880. It is also known as Playfairs. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

The Model Factory and Dwelling is a heritage-listed former factory, store and dwelling and now offices located at 120 Gloucester Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by George McRae and built from 1912 to 1913. It is also known as Chung Lun Building and (erroneously) the Housing Board Building. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harts Buildings</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

The Harts Buildings is a heritage-listed hotel and pub and former residence, located at 10–14 Essex Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1890 to 1899. It is also known as Hart's Buildings. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

95-99 George Street, The Rocks are heritage-listed shops and cafe and former dwellings located at 95-99 George Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1868 to 1868. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Jobbins Terrace is a series of heritage-listed terrace houses now repurposed as residences and offices located at 103–111 Gloucester Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1855 to 1857. It is also known as Longs Lane Terraces/Precinct . The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

The Long's Lane Precinct, also Longs Lane Precinct, comprise a series of heritage-listed terrace houses located at 130 Cumberland Street, 132–134 Cumberland Street, 136-138 Cumberland Street, and 140–142 Cumberland Street, in the inner-city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The terrace houses were built from 1888 to 1914, and they are also known as 130 Cumberland Street,132–134 Cumberland Street, 136–138 Cumberland Street, Watson's Butchery, and 140–142 Cumberland Street. The properties are owned by NashCap, an Australian-based real estate private equity firm. The precinct and the terrace houses were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

113–115 Gloucester Street, The Rocks is a heritage-listed terrace house located in the Long's Lane Precinct at 113–115 Gloucester Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built during 1881. It is also known as Longs Lane Terraces/Precinct. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

117–117a Gloucester Street, The Rocks is a heritage-listed terrace houses located in the Long's Lane Precinct at 117–117a Gloucester Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by W. Foggitt and built from 1912 to 1915. It is also known as Longs Lane Terraces/Precinct (Long's). The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

149–151 George Street, The Rocks is a heritage-listed duty-free store complex and former retail building and residence located at 149–151 George Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1913 to 1913. It is also known as part of the Duty Free Store complex. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

Baker's Terrace are heritage-listed commercial office buildings and former terrace houses located at 66–68 and 70–72 Gloucester Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built during 1875 for William Andrews and Edward Baker. It is also known as Bakers Terrace. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

55–59 Harrington Street, The Rocks are heritage-listed serviced apartments and a former terrace house located at 55–59 Harrington Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1886. It is also known as Stafford Terrace; Stafford Apartments and 75 Harrington Street; Clocktower Development. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

67 Harrington Street, The Rocks is a heritage-listed serviced apartments complex and former terrace house located at 67 Harrington Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1885. It is also known as Stafford Apartments and 75 Harrington Street; Clocktower Development. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

61–65 Harrington Street, The Rocks is a heritage-listed serviced apartments and former terrace house located at 61–65 Harrington Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1870. It is also known as Stafford Apartments and 75 Harrington Street; Clocktower Development. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

The View Terrace facades are heritage-listed offices and a former residence and terrace houses located at 26–30 Gloucester Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1893 to 1893. It is also known as Formerly 22–30 Gloucester Street and part of 40 Gloucester Street development. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

32–36 and 38–40 Gloucester Street facades, The Rocks is a heritage-listed former residence located at 32-36 and 38-40 Gloucester Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built during 1885. It is also known as part of development known as 40 Gloucester Street. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

The Captain Tench Arcade is a heritage-listed shops, arcade and restaurant and former residence located at 111–115 George Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks, New South Wales, Australia. The 1985 additions to the rear were designed by Kell & Rigby. The property was built in 1920. It is also known as Captain Tench Arcade. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "House". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01551. Retrieved 14 October 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence .

External links

Media related to 71 Harrington Street, The Rocks at Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography

Section survey.
Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd. (2007). Conservation Management Strategy, 71 Harrington Street, The Rocks.
Collingridge, S. (1978). National Trust Classification Card: Warehouse, 71 Harrington Street: Card 10 of the Harrington Argyle Precinct.
Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority (SCRA) (1984). Building Data Sheet CS/06.
Sydney Cove Authority (SCA) (1998). SCA Register 1979-1998.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on House , entry number 1551 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 14 October 2018.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[nswshr-1551-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "House". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01551. Retrieved 14 October 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence .

[1]

v t e The Rocks historical attractions
Residential buildings	Argyle Terrace Avery Terrace Baker's Terrace Cadmans Cottage Cumberland Street Nos. 106-128 Nos. 130, 132-134, 136-138, and 140-142 No. 182 Nos. 182.5-188 Gannon House George Street Nos. 29-31 No. 93 Nos. 95-99 No. 101 No. 103 No. 105 Nos. 107-109 No. 121 Nos. 123-125 Nos. 139-141 No. 145 No. 147 Nos. 149-151 [some of the aforementioned were subsequently converted into commercial buildings] Gloucester Street Nos. 32-36 and 38-40 Nos. 46-56 103-111 Nos. 113-115 Nos. 117-117a Harrington Street No. 32 Nos. 42-52 Nos. 55-59 Nos. 61-65 No. 67 No. 71 Jobbins Terrace Lilyvale Long's Lane Precinct Merchant's House Penrhyn House Playfair Street Terraces Playfair's Terrace Reynolds' Cottages Samson's Cottage Samson's Cottage wall remains Sergeant Major's Row Susannah Place (museum) View Terrace facades
Commercial buildings	Accountants House Ambulance Station (former) ASN Co building Argyle Stores ASN Hotel Building Bushells Building Butchery Building Campbell's Stores Cleland Bond Store Coroner's Court (former) English, Scottish and Australian Bank Federation Hall George Street No. 231 Harrington's Buildings Harts Buildings Joe Bananas shop Johnson's building Julian Ashton Art School Lawson House Metcalfe Bond Stores Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (former MSB building) Mining Museum (former) New York Hotel (former) Model factory building, Gloucester Street NSW Housing Board Building, Grosvenor Street Old Bushells Factory Phillip's Foote Restaurant Police Station (former) Raphael Mackeller Stores Royal Naval House Science House Sydney Sailors' Home Union Bond Store (former) Unwin's Stores
Churches	Mariners' Church St Patrick's Church, Church Hill
Pubs and hotels	Australian British Seamen's Brooklyn Fortune of War Glenmore Harbour Rocks Mercantile Observer Orient Russell
Transport infrastructure	Argyle Bridge Argyle Cut Captain Tench Arcade Cumberland Place and Steps Sydney Cove railings
Other significant historical features	Cumberland Street Archaeological Site Dawes Point Battery Rocks Push Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct