Treasury Building, Sydney

Treasury Building, Sydney
Treasury Building, Sydney
	The former Treasury Building, Macquarie Street façade and portico.
	Treasury building (former) Location in Sydney central business district
Former names	Colonial Treasury; The Old Treasury; Treasury Building & Premier's Office;
Alternative names	InterContinental Hotel, Sydney
Etymology	NSW Treasurer ; NSW Treasury ;
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Government administration (former); Hotel ;
Architectural style	Victorian Neo-Classical ; Italian Palazzo ;
Location	117–119 Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales
Country	Australia
Coordinates	33°51′47″S151°12′45″E / 33.8629516672°S 151.2124395890°E Coordinates: 33°51′47″S151°12′45″E / 33.8629516672°S 151.2124395890°E
Construction started	1849
Renovated	1982–1985
Technical details
Material	Sandstone; timber joinery; iron & stone palisade fence.
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Mortimer Lewis (1849–1851); Edmund Blacket (1853); Walter Liberty Vernon (1896–1900); George McRae (1916–1919);
Architecture firm	Colonial Architect of New South Wales
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Intercontinental Hotel former Treasury Building; Colonial Treasury; The Old Treasury; Treasury Building
Type	State heritage (built)
Criteria	a., c., d., e., f., g.
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	355
Type	Other – Government & Administration
Category	Government and Administration
References

Last updated April 23, 2023

The Treasury Building, or the Colonial Treasury Building, The Old Treasury Building, or the Treasury Building & Premier's Office, is a heritage-listed former government administration building and now hotel located at the junction of Macquarie and Bridge streets in the central business district of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. Commenced in 1849 and completed in stages in 1851, 1853, 1900 and 1919 in the Victorian Neo-Classical and Italian Palazzo styles by NSW Colonial and Government architects Mortimer Lewis, Edmund Blacket, Walter Liberty Vernon, and George McRae, the building has been used variously by the NSW Treasury, the Audit Office, the Premier's Department, the Police Department, and the Ministry of Transport. In 1981 the building was sold to the InterContinental Hotel group, with a major hotel complex built on part of the site and much of the heritage building restored.^[1]

History

In 1849, just before the gold rush, a new building for the Colonial Treasurer and Auditor was commissioned from the Colonial Architect, Mortimer Lewis. The building, in the former garden of First Government House, was finished in 1851, with two frontages, one to Bridge Street for the Audit Office, the other to Macquarie Street for the Treasury. Its design owed a great deal to the Travellers' Club of 1829 in London's Pall Mall. The two separate offices were demarcated by an interior dividing wall. Lewis's successor, Edmund Blacket, added a coach-house and stables to the north by 1853.^[1]

The party wall was breached in 1873 when the Treasury took over the Audit Office's area, as well as erecting temporary buildings between the main offices and the stables. The Government Architect, Walter Vernon, added a large fire-proof Strong Room for the safety of documents in 1896–1898 to the north of the stables and in 1898–1900 he provided a Link Building, connecting the Strong Room to the Lewis building along Macquarie Street. This demolished the eastern part of Blacket's stables (and most of the western end went in 1967), leaving archaeological remains of significance. The present Macquarie Street portico dates to these Vernon works of 1898–1900. The Bridge Street wing was altered and extended for the Premier's Department in 1916-9, to the design, as modified, of the then Government Architect George McRae. The Premier's Department continued to be there until 1967, when the State Office Block was erected.^[1]

Thereafter from 1967 until 1982, the Police Department occupied the Bridge Street space created by Lewis and McRae, while the Ministry of Transport had the Macquarie Street sector, where the Strong Room space had already been filled in during the 1940s. An auditorium for the Conservatorium of Music was constructed on the upper level of Lewis's building in 1977. Under Police and Transport, the buildings deteriorated, with undesirable changes to the fabric, until they were vacated in 1981. To accommodate a 31-storey hotel on the western part of the site, largely beyond the area protected by the PCO in 1985, conservation works were undertaken between 1981 and 1985. During 1983 archaeological work uncovered evidence of the 1850s Blacket stable block.^[1]^[4]

Description

The former Treasury building has fine Georgian elevations of exceptional scale, proportion and detailing. It occupies an important location in central Sydney. It contributes greatly to the sandstone townscape aesthetic of the Government precinct as well as being an excellent example of the craft work of its period.^[5]^[1]

Sandstone; timber joinery; iron & stone palisade fence Sandstone; timber joinery; face brick with stone dressings to external walls & colonnade to cortile.^[1]^[4]

Heritage listing

As at 24 September 2001, The former Treasury Buildings group (within the Intercontinental Hotel complex) is an outstanding example of the state's 19th to early 20th century public buildings and forms part of what is arguably the finest group of these sandstone buildings in NSW. The architectural forms and detailing of the group, with its strong links to Victorian "Neo-Classical" traditions, make it an extremely fine exemplar of this style and reflect important contemporary links with English architectural practice. The facade of Lewis's original building in particular is a premier example in NSW of 19th century "Italian Palazzo" style based closely on a London model. The bold but sympathetically related Vernon additions fronting Macquarie Street are impressively proportioned and detailed and represent an excellent and perhaps unique example of late Victorian eclectic architecture in NSW. The site's contribution to the significant streetscapes of Macquarie and Bridge Streets is both large and indisputable, with the siting, form, materials and detailing enhancing the adjacent precincts of early buildings. Historically the building group is significant because of its long association with the NSW Treasury and the state treasurer's and premier's offices.^[1]^[4]

Treasury Building, Sydney was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 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.

Historically the building group is significant because of its long association with the NSW Treasury and the state treasurer's and premier's offices. It also provides an interesting historical account of the work of a number of the state's Colonial Architects from the mid 19th to the early 20th century. The site is also an important representative of the conservation and adaptation policies and pressures of 1980s Sydney reflecting a major achievement in contemporary philosophical and practical heritage conservation within the heart of Sydney's CBD. Has historic significance at a State level.^[1]^[4]

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

The former Treasury Buildings group (within the Intercontinental Hotel complex) is an outstanding example of the state's 19th- early 20th century public buildings and forms part of what is arguably the finest group of these sandstone buildings in NSW. The architectural forms and detailing of the group, with its strong links to Victorian "Neo-Classical" traditions, make it an extremely fine exemplar of this style and reflect important contemporary links with English architectural practice. The facade of Lewis's original building in particular is a premier example in NSW of 19th century "Italian Palazzo" style based closely on a London model. The bold but sympathetically related Vernon additions fronting Macquarie Street are impressively proportioned and detailed and represent an excellent and perhaps unique example of late Victorian eclectic architecture in NSW. The site's contribution to the significant streetscapes of Macquarie and Bridge Streets is both large and indisputable, with the siting, form, materials and detailing enhancing the adjacent precincts of early buildings. Has aesthetic significance at a State level.^[1]^[4]

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 site and its group of early stone buildings remains associated in the popular imagination - by name and historical links with its early Treasury and state government functions.^[1]^[4]

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

During 1983 archaeological work uncovered evidence of an 1850s stable block. The site has in the past shown important archaeological resources and both building and site have the potential to provide further information on site use and building development sequences and techniques.^[1]^[4]

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

The facade of Lewis's original building in particular is a premier example in NSW of 19th century "Italian Palazzo" style based closely on a London model.^[1]^[4]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.

The former Treasury Buildings group (within the Intercontinental Hotel complex) is an outstanding representative example of the state's 19th and early 20th century public buildings and forms part of what is arguably the finest group of these sandstone buildings.^[1]^[4]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">George McRae</span>

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References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Intercontinental Hotel former Treasury Building". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H00355. Retrieved 13 October 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
↑ "Treasury Building & Premiers Office (Place ID 1829)". Australian Heritage Database . Australian Government. 21 March 1978. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
↑ "Former Treasury Building Including Interiors". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment & Heritage . Retrieved 7 November 2017.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sydney City Heritage Inventory
↑ Branch Managers Report to the Heritage Council, 25 September 1984.

Bibliography

"Intercontinental Hotel former Treasury Building". 2007.
Attraction Homepage (2007). "Intercontinental Hotel former Treasury Building".

Attribution

This Wikipedia article contains material from Intercontinental Hotel former Treasury Building , entry number 355 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 13 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-355-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Intercontinental Hotel former Treasury Building". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H00355. Retrieved 13 October 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.

[2] "Treasury Building & Premiers Office (Place ID 1829)". Australian Heritage Database . Australian Government. 21 March 1978. Retrieved 7 November 2017.

[3] "Former Treasury Building Including Interiors". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment & Heritage . Retrieved 7 November 2017.

[SCHI-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sydney City Heritage Inventory

[nswshr-355-355-1-5] Branch Managers Report to the Heritage Council, 25 September 1984.

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v t e Architecture of Sydney
Historical buildings and structures (pre-1930s)	Admiralty House Boronia House Carthona Central Local Court Central railway station Chief Secretary's Cloncorrick Customs House Conservatorium of Music Downing Centre Education Department General Post Office GIO Building Government House Hong Kong House Hyde Park Barracks Hyde Park Obelisk Lands Department Lindesay Mortuary railway station Parliament House Queen Victoria Building Registrar-General's St Andrew's Cathedral St Mary's Cathedral Sydney Hospital The Mint Sydney Observatory Town Hall Trades Hall The Old Treasury University of Sydney (Main Quad.) Victoria Barracks
Modern buildings and structures (post-1930s)	1 Bligh Street 25 Martin Place AMP Building Anzac Memorial Auburn Gallipoli Mosque Aurora Place Australia Square Bennelong Apartments Central Park Chifley Tower Citigroup Centre Dr Chau Chak Wing Building Deutsche Bank Place Dunc Gray Velodrome Governor Phillip Tower Grace Building Horizon Apartments International Towers Latitude MLC Building Paddy's Markets (redev.) Quay Quarter Tower Sirius building Stamford on Kent Suncorp Place Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Opera House Sydney Tower UTS Tower World Tower Zenith Centre
Notable architects	Australian architects NSW Government architects
Styles	Non-residential Residential Tallest buildings

v t e Sydney central business district historical attractions
Government buildings	Anzac Memorial Central Local Court House Chief Secretary's building Clarence Street Police Station (former) Customs House Department of Education building Department of Lands building Downing Centre First Government House General Post Office Government House Hay Street Nos. 181–187 Haymarket Post Office Health Department building (former) Hyde Park Barracks Hyde Park Obelisk Parliament House, Sydney Registrar-General's building State Library of NSW Supreme Court of NSW Banco Court Greenway Wing Old Registry Wing Sydney Cenotaph Sydney Mint Sydney Water Head Office (former) Treasury building (former)
Commercial buildings	AMA House APA building AWA Tower Australian Hall Bathurst Street (Nos. 107–109) Bulletin Place warehouses Burns Philp building Challis House CML building Corn Exchange Erskine Street Police Station George Street No. 341 No. 343 Nos. 348–352 No. 354 GIO building Grahame's Corner Hawken and Vance Produce Exchange Hinchcliff House Hong Kong House International House John Bridge Woolstore Judges House, The Kyle House Liner House Metters Building MLC Building National House New South Wales Club building Perpetual Trustee Company building Pinnacle House Public Trust Office Qantas House Queen Victoria Building Red Cross House Royal Automobile Club of Australia building Sir Stamford Hotel State Savings Bank building Strand Arcade Sussex Street Nos. 121–127 Nos. 139–153 No. 161 Nos. 163–169 Sydney School of Arts building Trades Hall The Sydney Club Transport House Trickett's Hotel (former) Trust Building Wales House York Street No. 22 No. 73
Residential buildings	History House Phillip Street Terraces Young Street Terraces
Churches and other places of worship	St Andrew's Cathedral Christ Church St Laurence Great Synagogue St James' Church St Mary's Cathedral Pitt Street Uniting Church St Stephen's Church
Pubs and hotels	Arthouse Bristol Arms Crown (pub) Dundee Arms Grace George Hollywood Hotel CBD Metropolitan Royal George Skinners Sussex
Transport infrastructure	Central railway station St James railway station Martin Place railway station Museum railway station Pyrmont Bridge Railway Square road overbridge
Cultural institutions and parklands	Australian Museum Capitol Theatre Hyde Park Justice and Police Museum Macquarie Place Park Royal Botanic Garden State Theatre Sydney Conservatorium of Music The Domain
Other significant historical features	Darling Harbour Carousel HMAS Sydney I – SMS Emden Memorial Little Hunter and Hamilton Street Precinct Man O'War Steps Sharpies Golf House Sign Sydney Town Hall Tank Stream