Argyle Bridge

Argyle Bridge
Argyle Bridge
	Argyle Bridge, The Rocks
Coordinates	33°51′32″S151°12′26″E / 33.8589°S 151.2071°E
Carries	Cumberland Street
Crosses	Argyle Street; Argyle Cut
Locale	The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Owner	Property NSW
History
Construction start	1911
Construction end	1912
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Argyle Bridge; Includes Argyle Stairs
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	10 May 2002
Reference no.	1522
Type	Road Bridge
Category	Transport – Land
Location

Last updated July 30, 2023

The Argyle Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Cumberland Street across the Argyle Cut and Argyle 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 1911 to 1912. It is also known to include the Argyle Stairs. The property is owned by the 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 original Argyle Bridges were built for Gloucester Street in 1862, Cumberland Street in 1864 and Princes Street in 1867–68. The Princes Street Bridge was demolished as part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge construction. The inscription from the Princes Street Bridge identifying Charles Moore is now relocated on the Argyle Cut's south wall.^[1]

As part of the Sydney Harbour Trust's improvements, Gloucester and Cumberland Streets were realigned, and the two road bridges over the Argyle Cut replaced by a single bridge at Cumberland Street in 1911–12. Cumberland Street had previously been located to the west of its current location. The Cumberland Street bridge replaced the lower Gloucester Street Bridge and the higher Cumberland Street Bridge over the Argyle Cut. The work also involved the demolition of 22–24 Gloucester Street, part of View Terrace (now 26–30 Gloucester Street), and construction of the abutments to the bridge and the Argyle Stairs. The parapet of the part of the bridge directly over Argyle Street was replaced in the 1950s.^[1]

Description

The site includes the 1911 road bridge at Cumberland Street, abutments to the bridge with small obelisk-shaped pylons on either side of the road (at the north and south approaches to the bridge), and intact original light fittings. The parapet of the part of the bridge directly over Argyle Street was replaced in the 1950s. The original parapet of the bridge can still be seen to the south of the southern abutments. In 2008 structural cracks and areas of concrete cancer were detected and remedial works carried out to repair the damage.^[1]

Condition

As at 4 February 2009, in 2008 remedial works were carried out on the bridge to repair structural cracks and areas of concrete cancer. At the same time the Bridge was thoroughly inspected for any other damage and necessary repairs undertaken. The parapet of the part of the bridge directly over Argyle Street was replaced in the 1950s. The original parapet can still be seen to the south of the southern abutments. In 2008 inspection and repairs were carried out.^[1]

Modifications and dates

1950s –Bridge parapet replaced.
2008 –Concrete cancer and structural cracks found in the bridge so extensive remedial works carried out.^[1]

Heritage listing

As of 30 March 2011, the Argyle Bridge 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. The Argyle Bridge has research potential for its association with town planning, street and urban development in early Sydney, and the ongoing development of transportation systems in The Rocks. The Argyle Bridge is of historical significance as evidence of the town planning initiatives and urban improvements of the Sydney Harbour Trust in the early 1900s and the changes to the road pattern and surrounds involved in the Sydney Harbour construction Bridge in the 1920s-30s. The Argyle Bridge at Cumberland Street is held in high esteem by the residents and visitors to Sydney, and contributes strongly to The Rocks' character.^[1]

Argyle Bridge 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.

The Argyle Bridge is of historical significance as evidence of the town planning initiatives to improve the provision of access and infrastructure, including the urban improvements of the Sydney Harbour Trust in the early 1900s and the changes to the road pattern and surrounds involved in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1920s-30s.^[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 Argyle Bridge has social significance as part of the Rocks Conservation area. The Argyle Bridge at Cumberland Street is held in high esteem by the residents and visitors to Sydney, and contributes strongly to The Rocks' character.^[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 Argyle Bridge has research potential for its association with town planning, street and urban development in early Sydney, and the ongoing development of transportation systems in The Rocks^[1]

Related Research Articles

The Rocks is a suburb, tourist precinct and historic area of Sydney's city centre, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district.

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

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The Glenmore Hotel is a heritage-listed pub located at 96–98 Cumberland 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 the Tooth and Co. resident architects and built in 1921 by D. M. Mitchell. 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 Cut is a heritage-listed roadway and road cutting located at Argyle 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 1843 to 1868 with convict and paid labour. The property is owned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, 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.

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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.

Lawson House is a heritage-listed warehouse, auction house and offices located at 212–218 Cumberland 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 John Burcham Clamp and built during 1924 by Burcham Clamp and Finch. It is also known as Cadbury-Fry Building and Lawson Menzies 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.

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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.

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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.

The Argyle Street Railway Substation is a heritage-listed railway electric substation located at Trinity Avenue, in the inner city Sydney suburb of Millers Point in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built in 1932 by Dorman, Long and Co. It is also known as Sydney Harbour Bridge Substation. The property is owned by RailCorp, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Argyle House is a heritage-listed residence located at 85 Lower Fort Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of Millers Point in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Argyle Bridge". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01522. Retrieved 14 October 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .

Bibliography

Blackmore, Kate (1986). Streets of The Rocks.
Sydney Cove Authority (SCA) (1998). SCA Register 1979-1998.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Argyle Bridge , entry number 1522 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.

External links

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[nswshr-1522-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Argyle Bridge". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01522. 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