Bridge Street, Sydney
Encyclopedia
Bridge Street is a street in the CBD of Sydney, Australia. It runs east-west between George Street
and Macquarie Street
. It is in the Local Government Area
of the City of Sydney
and the postcode is 2000. The street is 500 metres long. It derived its name from a small bridge that used to cross the Tank Stream in the early days of the colony.
and was the abode of first Governor of New South Wales, Captain Arthur Phillip
. After establishing the site of the settlement, a substantial "temporary" government house was located on the corner of what is now Bridge St and Phillip St in Sydney. It was built under the direction of James Bloodsworth, a convict builder responsible for the construction of most of the colony's buildings between 1788 and 1800.
This building, the first 'permanent' building in Sydney, was completed by 1789 using English bricks, native stone and a quantity of convict baked sandstock bricks from the Sydney region. After the initial completion the house was of two stories in height, contained six rooms and was the hub of the colony for 56 years. Eight successive governors complained of the living conditions within, each making improvements by adding their own extension. It was here on 4 June 1789, that Governor Phillip and his guests celebrated the birthday of King George III. In 1845 the entire complex was demolished to allow access and extend the street to Macquarie Street. The foundations of the house were exposed by archaeologists in 1983. The site is now occupied by the Museum of Sydney
, corner of Phillip and Bridge Street.
In March 1899, workmen installing a telegraph tunnel discovered a copper plate wedged between two stones. It was later found that it was the foundation stone of the first Government House that was laid 15 may 1788. The plate is now displayed at the Museum of Sydney.
.
George Street, Sydney
George Street is one of Sydney's most notable city streets. There are more high rise buildings and more ASX 100 companies located here than anywhere else in Australia, and is well known for being busy around-the-clock...
and Macquarie Street
Macquarie Street, Sydney
Macquarie Street is the easternmost street of Sydney's central business district. Macquarie Street extends from Hyde Park at its southern end to the Sydney Opera House at its north.-Description:...
. It is in the Local Government Area
Local Government Area
A local government area is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory....
of the City of Sydney
City of Sydney
The City of Sydney is the Local Government Area covering the Sydney central business district and surrounding inner city suburbs of the greater metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia...
and the postcode is 2000. The street is 500 metres long. It derived its name from a small bridge that used to cross the Tank Stream in the early days of the colony.
History
Many years before Bridge Street was named, it was the site of Sydney's first Government HouseGovernment House, Sydney
Government House is located in Sydney, Australia alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens, overlooking Sydney Harbour, just south of the Sydney Opera House...
and was the abode of first Governor of New South Wales, Captain Arthur Phillip
Arthur Phillip
Admiral Arthur Phillip RN was a British admiral and colonial administrator. Phillip was appointed Governor of New South Wales, the first European colony on the Australian continent, and was the founder of the settlement which is now the city of Sydney.-Early life and naval career:Arthur Phillip...
. After establishing the site of the settlement, a substantial "temporary" government house was located on the corner of what is now Bridge St and Phillip St in Sydney. It was built under the direction of James Bloodsworth, a convict builder responsible for the construction of most of the colony's buildings between 1788 and 1800.
This building, the first 'permanent' building in Sydney, was completed by 1789 using English bricks, native stone and a quantity of convict baked sandstock bricks from the Sydney region. After the initial completion the house was of two stories in height, contained six rooms and was the hub of the colony for 56 years. Eight successive governors complained of the living conditions within, each making improvements by adding their own extension. It was here on 4 June 1789, that Governor Phillip and his guests celebrated the birthday of King George III. In 1845 the entire complex was demolished to allow access and extend the street to Macquarie Street. The foundations of the house were exposed by archaeologists in 1983. The site is now occupied by the Museum of Sydney
Museum of Sydney
The Museum of Sydney, on the Site of First Government House is built on the ruins of the house of New South Wales' first Governor, Arthur Phillip on the present-day corner of Phillip and Bridge Street, Sydney. The original house, which was Australia's first Government House, was built in 1788 and...
, corner of Phillip and Bridge Street.
In March 1899, workmen installing a telegraph tunnel discovered a copper plate wedged between two stones. It was later found that it was the foundation stone of the first Government House that was laid 15 may 1788. The plate is now displayed at the Museum of Sydney.
Heritage buildings
Bridge Street has a number of significant buildings and sites. The following are listed on the Register of the National EstateRegister of the National Estate
The Register of the National Estate is a listing of natural and cultural heritage places in Australia. The listing was initially compiled between 1976 and 2003 by the Australian Heritage Commission. The register is now maintained by the Australian Heritage Council...
.
- Department of Lands buildingDepartment of Lands buildingThe Department of Lands building is late nineteenth century building in Bridge Street, Sydney, designed by James Barnet. It is a large three storey public building which was built in different stages. This is the largest building designed by Barnet in Colonial Sydney. The building is listed on the...
: this sandstone building was designed by the Colonial Architect, James BarnetJames BarnetJames Johnstone Barnet was the Colonial Architect for New South Wales from 1862 - 1890.-Life and career:Barnet was born at Almericlose, Arbroath, Scotland. The son of a builder, he was educated at the local high school...
, and built 1877-90. It is three storeys high and features a copper dome and a clock tower that is a distinctive feature in the area.
- Education Department Building: this is a six-storey, sandstone building designed by the government architect, George McRaeGeorge McRaeGeorge McRae was a Scottish architect who migrated to Australia and pursued his career in Sydney, where he became Government Architect of New South Wales.-Life and career:...
. It was built circa 1913 and features an inner structure of steel and reinforced concrete.
- Burns Philp Building: this three-storey, commercial building was built from 1898-1901. It was designed by McCredie and Anderson in a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque styles. Like the other buildings, it was constructed predominantly of sandstone, with a combination of dressed stone and rough stone. The interior features elaborate cedar-work.
- Chief Secretary's Building: situated on the south corner of Bridge and Macquarie Streets, this building was designed by James Barnet and constructed circa 1878. It consists mainly of dressed sandstone, with later additions that were designed by the government architect, Walter Liberty VernonWalter Liberty VernonWalter Liberty Vernon was an English architect who migrated to the state of New South Wales, Australia and pursued his career as an architect in Sydney...
.
- Former Premier's Office / Treasury Building: situated on the north corner of Bridge and Macquarie Streets, this is a two-storey sandstone building designed by Mortimer LewisMortimer LewisMortimer William Lewis , was an English architect and surveyor who migrated to Australia and became Colonial Architect in the state of New South Wales from 1835 to 1849. Lewis was responsible for designing and overseeing many government buildings in Sydney and rural New South Wales, many of which...
in a Classical Revival style and built circa 1849. A large extension was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and built circa 1896. It has more recently been converted for hotel use.
- Macquarie PlaceMacquarie PlaceMacquarie Place is a small triangular park in downtown Sydney, Australia. It is located at the corner of Bridge Street and Loftus Street, and is named after Governor Lachlan Macquarie.- History :...
: this historic site is situated on the north side of Bridge Street and was originally part of the first Government House. Governor Lachlan MacquarieLachlan MacquarieMajor-General Lachlan Macquarie CB , was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1810 to 1821 and had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of the colony...
intended it to be a significant public square but it was gradually whittled down over the years. It includes the obelisk designed by Francis GreenwayFrancis Greenway-References:* *...
and constructed in 1818; the bronze statue of Thomas Sutcliffe MortThomas Sutcliffe MortThomas Sutcliffe Mort was an Australian industrialist responsible for improving refrigeration of meat. He was renowned for speculation in the local pastoral industry as well as industrial activities such as his Ice-Works in Sydney's Darling Harbour and dry dock and engineering works at...
erected in 1883; the cannon and anchor from HMS Sirius, the anchor having been placed on its pedestal in 1907; and the men's lavatory built in 1908, which features stucco and a glazed dome.