The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters. With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as,,, and since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney. The land on which these buildings stand was granted to Thomas Wright in 1832. In 1873 the land was transferred to James Norton and others, who arranged as trustees for sale to have the property transferred to Robert Gray, warehouseman. Physical evidence supports the presumption that the building was constructed in 1878, the date shown on the parapet. Early photographs show 24-26 in its original four storey configuration; a later photograph shows the name Sargood on the side wall of the six storey building. This extension must have occurred prior to 1913 when Joseland & Vernon submitted a proposal to connect 24-26 to Beard Watsons at 361 George Street; physical evidence suggests a date of about 1905. The 1913 proposal also included the construction of the present cartway and basement area. Beard Watsons continued to occupy the property until at least 1955.
Description
The building at 22-26 York Street, originally four storeys high throughout, now comprises two separate buildings of four storeys and six storeys with basement, all in the Victorian Romanesque style. The building has a structure comprising load bearing masonry envelope and cast iron internal columns with decorative capitals and timber beams. The openings at ground first, third and fourth floor levels are arched. The original facades of stone, are richly decorated with deep pilasters, and string courses at each floor level, with the extension to Nos. 24-26 rendered. The facade of Nos. 24-26 and the modernised ground floor facade of No. 22 are painted. The original facades have florid detailing including rusticated and fluted pilasters with ornate capitals, vermiculated courses, swag mouldings, dentils, parapet and broken pediments topped by urns. The ground floor to Nos. 24-26, although altered, remains largely in its original configuration. Internally, the building has cast iron columns and timber beams and floors, oversheeted in No. 22 but generally exposed in Nos. 24-26 which also has a top storey lit by large south-light roof windows. Nos. 22-26 is connected at basement and upper levels to buildings at 359-363 George Street, with a lightwell to the upper storeys.
Condition
As at 19 June 2006, the ground floor has been completely changed as part of the Landmark project in 1986. No. 22 has air conditioning as part of the Landmark building. At street level, No. 22 incorporates ramp to Landmark building carpark. No. 22, having recently been modernised, is generally in good condition, although most original fabric is concealed by later finishes. Intrusive Elements:22 facade and entry ramp at ground level, concrete link to Landmark Building, fire passages and fire stair enclosures, toilets in rear wings, all war partitions and fitout works.
Heritage listing
High Significance: Sandstone facade, timber windows & doors, cast iron columns and timber beams, floors and roof structures, timber ceilings and stairs, basement cartway. Medium Significance:Existing interconnections to 361 George Street. East windows to light well. Water tower. Wncased steel columns to basement. Low Significance:Reinforced concrete fire stairs, recent internal stairs and partitioning, infill of light well. Reglazing of shop windows and central entry door. 22 York Street, Sydney was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. Nos. 24-26 is a remarkably intact Victorian warehouse which retains many original structural elements and finishes. It was for many years associated with the well-known furniture emporium of Beard Watson & Co. Retains a powerful ability to evoke the character of the Victorian street. The intactness of Nos. 24-26 provides research potential into the construction and use of late 19th century and early 20th century warehouses. Cultural: Nos. 22-26 has a well detailed and strongly modelled sandstone facade which is almost entirely intact, the alterations being an unsympathetic adaptation at street level and a well detailed harmonious Edwardian addition. Part of a streetscape between King and Barrack Streets which retains many other fine 19th and early 20th century buildings. One of only six former warehouses with surviving cast iron column structures, and one of very few Victorian commercial buildings which retain their original facade at street level.
