High Holborn Street Heritage Conservation Area

Item details


Name of item:	High Holborn Street Heritage Conservation Area
Type of item:	Conservation Area
Category:	Other - Urban Area
Primary address:	Refer To Map, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Sydney

Boundary:

Devonshire St, Crown St, Cleveland St and Marlborough St.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Refer To Map	Surry Hills	Sydney	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	The High Holborn Street Conservation Area represents several of the key historical period for the development of Surry Hills as a direct result of the subdivision of the Riley Estate. It contains good examples of mid Victorian, late Victorian & Federation terraces, Victorian and early twentieth century religious buildings, commercial buildings and warehouses which make a positive contribution to the streetscape.
	Date significance updated: 10 Jun 21
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Various
Builder/Maker:	Various
Construction years:	1850-1920
Physical description:	The area generally has a varied mid to late Victorian streetscape character (c. 1880s), with harmonious scale, set backs, Victorian Filigree and Victorian Georgian terrace forms, however there are also significant later historical period layers: Federation (such as significant Federation terraces at 32-52 High Holborn St) and inter-war development (such as the inter-war picture theatre on Crown St and other interwar commercial /retail development on Crown St). There are also several rare Victorian weatherboard buildings within the area: 2 Goodlet Lane (single storey weatherboard semi); 41 &43 Lansdowne St (pair of two storey weatherboard terraces) and 61 Lansdowne Street (freestanding cottage). There is also a largely non-significant layer of later, post war twentieth century development of greater scale as a result of site consolidation and redevelopment (eg, 547-549 Crown St, 70 Marlborough St, 58-60 Marlborough St): the best example of late twentieth century development in the area is the Ed Lipmann-designed commercial building on the corner of Lansdowne & Crown Sts (535 Crown St) which is a fine example of a respectful modern commercial infill development which complements the Crown Street streetscape in height, scale and form while utlilising modern materials. The area includes Crown Street buildings on the western side from Devonshire to Cleveland Streets (also part of the Crown Street Heritage Streetscape) - these buildings include the heritage listed former picture theatre at 525-525A Crown Street, and the former Surry Hills Post Office at 543 Crown Street. The area includes religious and former religious buildings (St Peters Church & rectory at 235-241 Devonshire St, and Our Lady of Mercy Convent at 27 High Holborn St) and "The Kirk" (former church) at 422-424 Cleveland St. The street trees enhance the amenity of the area. Street Ratings Cleveland Avenue Relatively narrow, dead-end street running off Cleveland Street, with medium height street tree plantings (paperbarks), characterised on the eastern side by two storey Victorian Filigree terraces, on the western side by the rear of the heritage listed Federation Queen Anne terraces fronting High Holborn Street, and 2-3 storey Federation and 1920s warehouses (now converted to apartments). Street Rating: A Cleveland Street - north side only from Crown to Marlborough Street Wide heavily trafficked street with little street tree planting, characterised by a mix of two or three storey Federation and Victorian commercial buildings and Victorian Filigree terraces, including the Crown Hotel (three storey Federation hotel) on the corner of Crown & Cleveland Streets. Street Rating: A Crown Street - LEP listed Heritage Streetscape - see Crown Street Heritage Streetscape heritage inventory assesment report. Devonshire Street - south side only Marlborough to Crown Street Wide street dominated by St Peters Church Group (heritage items) and also featuring fine example of a Victorian commercial/retail building on the corner of Devonshire/Crown/High Holborn Streets. Street Rating: A Goodlet Lane: eastern end from Marlborough Street Narrow dead-end laneway. No. street tree planting. Unusual in having three single storey Victorian Georgian cottages (Nos, 2, 4 and 6 Goodlet Lane) fronting the lane, giving the lane a mixed character of typical Victorian era terrace housing rear laneway and a Victorian Georgian streetscape. Street Rating: A. Goodlet Street - South side only, eastern end from High Holborn to Marlborough Street Relatively narrow, slightly kinked street characterised by two storey Victorian Filigree style terraces, containing a mix of robinia pseudoacacia (golden robinia) and melaleuca (paperbarks) street tree plantings. Street Rating: A High Holborn Street Relatively narrow street, narrowing at the southern end (past Lansdowne St). North end: medium to large street trees (London Planes) characterised by late Victorian terrace housing and the heritage listed St Peters Convent (27 High Holborn St, Victorian, two to three storeys). Southern end - narrow, angled street with no street tree plantings characterised by a mix of late Victorian two storey terraces, heritage listed mid Victorian Georgian single storey brick or sandstone cottages/ two storey sandstone terraces (Nos. 39,41,43 and 49 High Holborn) , and a large group of heritage listed single storey Federation Queen Anne terraces (Nos. 32 to 52 High Holborn St). The street is cut off to vehicular traffic at the Cleveland Street end. Street Rating: A Lansdowne Street, east end from Marlborough to Crown Street A wide stree characterised by two storey Victorian Filigree terraces with two or three storey commercial buildings on the corners with Crown Street. Mixed street tree planting - mature eucalypts and small recent plantings of robinia pseudoacacia (golden robinia). Street Rating: A Marlborough Street - east side only A relatively wide street from Devonshire to Lansdowne Street, narrowing to the south of Lansdowne Street. The street is largely characterised by a mix of two storey Victorian Filigree terraces with few later developments (Nos. 36, 70 and 90 Marlborough St being late twentieth century infill). The entry to the street form the north is dominated by the heritage listed St. Peters Presbytery. Street planting: Mix of mature and medium height street tree plantings: paperbarks and shrubs with the exception of large trees to edge of Ward Park (outside the conservation area). Street rating: A Miles Street A short, relatively wide street running between High Holborn and Crown Streets. No buildings front the street, however buildings with side elevations to the street are, on the north side a large Victorian Filigree terrace (515 Crown St), and on the south side the heritage listed three storey former cinema (525-525A Crown St) Features street tree plantings of robinia pseudoacacia (golden robinia). Street Rating: A
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	This area was affected by the 1999 Sydney hailstorm, resulting in extensive replacement of roofing materials. Hasty reroofing following the hailstorm has resulted in many cases in the installation of inappropriate roofing materials, inconsistent roofing materials within terrace rows, the removal of separate front verandah or balcony roofs, and the removal of stucco detailing at the top of fin walls between terraces.
	Date condition updated:28 Dec 06
Modifications and dates:	Varying extent of additions and alterations throughout the area which generally enable the original scale and building forms to be interpreted.
Further information:	Heritage Inventory sheets are often not comprehensive, and should be regarded as a general guide only. Inventory sheets are based on information available, and often do not include the social history of sites and buildings. Inventory sheets are constantly updated by the City as further information becomes available. An inventory sheet with little information may simply indicate that there has been no building work done to the item recently: it does not mean that items are not significant. Further research is always recommended as part of preparation of development proposals for heritage items, and is necessary in preparation of Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Management Plans, so that the significance of heritage items can be fully assessed prior to submitting development applications.

History

Historical notes:

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 Gadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora.

With European occupation of the Sydney region from 1788, the Gadigal and Wangal people were largely decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today.
For information about the Aboriginal history of the local area see the City’s Barani website: http://www.sydneybarani.com.au/

The heritage conservation area is within part of the original grant to the first Surry Hills landowner - Captain Joseph Foveaux, who was assigned 105 acres in 1793 and subsequently increased his holdings to encompass most of Surry Hills. By 1800, John Palmer - farmer and grazier, had acquired more than 200 acres of Surry Hills and become Commissary General. However by 1814, Palmer had fallen into financial trouble and lost his position in the colony, resulting in his estate being divided and sold at public auction. Edward Riley attempted to reassemble the Palmer Estate during the 1820s, although after his suicide in 1825 the holdings were once again subdivided according to Meehan’s original plan and sold to the public. The economic boom of the 1830s acted as the necessary catalyst for residential development in Surry Hills with the original allotments being initially subdivided into villa estates. With much of the Riley Estate still locked up in a legal battle, the early development in Surry Hills focused on the lands around Albion and Bourke Streets. It wasn’t until the gold rush boom of the 1850s that the Riley Estate finally become available, and provided substantial land for the development of workers housing locally employed by the breweries and other industries.

Wells's 1850 map of Surry Hills shows several buildings on the eastern side of High Holborn Street between Lansdowne Street and Cleveland Street, towards the northern end, roughly matching the current location of several heritage listed Victorian Georgian cottages and terraces (Nos. 39. 41-43 and 49 High Holborn Street) and a Victorian Georgian bald-faced pair of terraces (45 & 47 Lansdowne St) on the corner of High Holborn and Lansdowne Streets.

The key historical period layers represented within the High Holborn Street Heritage Conservation Area are:

- Mid Victorian period - key examples: heritage listed Victorian Georgian cottages and terraces at Nos. 39, 41-43 and 49 High Holborn Street; pair of Victorian Georgian bald-faced terraces, 45 & 47 Lansdowne Street (corner High Holborn St), Victorian Georgian cottages at 2,4 & 5 Goodlet Lane.

- Late Victorian period - key examples: Residential buildings: Victorian Filigree terrace housing throughout the area, eg. 72-80 Marlborough St, 129-141 Goodlet Street, 384-390 Cleveland Street, 402-412 Cleveland St, 49-59 Lansdowne St, 18-28 High Holborn Street, 61-69 High Holborn Street, 2-10 Cleveland Avenue. Institutional buildings: St Peters Church Hall (old church) 1880, 241-235 Devonshire St; St Peters Convent 27 High Holborn Street.

- Federation - key examples: Residential buildings: heritage listed Federation Queen Anne style terraces 32-52 High Holborn Street, also 73 High Holborn Street; Industrial/commercial buildings: Federation warehouse 5 Cleveland Avenue; Crown Hotel 587-591 Crown St (corner Cleveland Street); Institutional Buildings: St Peters Presbytery 235-241 Devonshire Street. Crown Street also features a contributory row of Federation shops at Nos. 569-581 Crown Street.

- 1920s Institutional and commercial/retail buildings - key examples: former Surry Hills Post Office (1923), 543 Crown Street, heritage listed former cinema 525-525A Crown Street, St. Peters Church 235-241 Devonshire Street, Commonwealth Bank 537-541 Crown Street.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	(none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	(none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Living in the City-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Development-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The area has historic significance as it encompasses several key historical periods of the development of Surry Hills and the subdivision of the Riley Estate. Meets this criteria at a local level.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The area is associated with Edward Riley and Captain Joseph Foveaux. Meets this criteria at a local level.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The area has prominent elements in the streetscapes and good examples of mid to late Victorian terrraces, single storey Federation terraces (High Holborn St), Federation Warehouses (Crown St), Victorian and Federation religious buildings (St Peters & Our Lady of Mercy Convent). Meets this criteria at a local level.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The area is not identified in an archaeological zoning plan and the area has been well researched and it is unlikely that the site would reveal further information that would contribute to the significance of the area.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The area is a representative example of Victorian subdivision found in Surry Hills and the inner suburbs of Sydney. Meets this criteria at a local level.
Integrity/Intactness:	High
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS (Generic Conservation Area policies) 1.Protection of Significance (a) Subdivision -Retain Victorian subdivision pattern - Do not allow amalgamation of sites (b) Key Period Significant (Contributory) Development: - Retain one storey Victorian / Federation terraces - Retain two storey Victorian terraces - Retain Victorian / Federation Public Buildings - Retain Federation and Inter-war retail/commercial buildings - Retain Interwar commercial development if significant - Retain small scale of early development - Maintain building alignments - Retain form - Retain finishes and details - Reinstate verandahs, balconies, front cast iron palisade fences, lost detail - Protect intact rear lanes - Retain stable buildings, access ways and carriageways of moderate and high integrity - Additions to rear not to exceed ridge height and retain original roof form - Discourage front dormers except where already present in a terrace row - Encourage reinstatement of roofing materials and roofing detail lost in 1999 Sydney hailstorm c) Retail Development: - Protect and reveal the retail history of Cleveland and Crown Streets - Maintain landscape components - Reveal original fabric. Remove non original features, particularly if they conceal original detail. - Restore detail to evidence - Relocate existing floor area that detracts to locations with less heritage impact - Reconstruct new shop fronts modelled on surviving original shop fronts in the street and derived from on-site evidence. In particular original splayed recessed entrances. - Retain shopfronts prior to 1910 (generally timber) incorporating splayed recessed entrances; shop fronts - Retain shop fronts c.1910-19 (generally incorporate use of tiles and metal shop fittings). - Coordinate signage - Discourage large retail chains - Encourage appropriate retail anchors - Coordinate and promote retail precincts - Avoid loss of original significant shopfronts 2. Redevelopment of Non Contributing Sites - respect scale and form of contributory development - respect building line of contributory development - encourage rendered and painted finishes - encourage contemporary detail - provide landscape screening/softening - Recognise the collective precedent and impact of the proposal - Develop approach for sympathetic new development to enhance existing heritage character and level of detail - Respect scale and form of contributory development - Avoid flat reflective monotonous glazed façades - Avoid visual clutter: A/C, signs 3. Enhance Significance of conservation area - Maintain and enhance street planting to unify streetscape - Encourage redevelopment of detracting sites - Encourage render/paint finishes to detracting developments - Provide landscape screening/softening to detracting sites - Remove/Discourage reproduction of Victorian detail in contemporary development 4. Car Parking - do not allow car parking access from the street - Generally allow parking access from rear lanes. - Reduce impact of existing car parking access from street 5. Landscaping - Encourage trees at the end of streets to reinforce landscape vistas and frame views - Encourage trees to screen detracting development 6. View Protection - Reinforce street end vistas with street trees - Encourage and develop appropriate distant vistas 6. Heritage Items - Protect Heritage Items within the heritage conservation area

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date
Local Environmental Plan	Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012	C64	14 Dec 12
Local Environmental Plan - Lapsed	Amendment No3 SSLocal Environmental Plan 1998	CA29	28 Jul 00
Heritage study

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
South Sydney Heritage Study	1993		Tropman & Tropman Architects		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Anita Heiss		Aboriginal People and Place, Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	2421483
File number:	S047440

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