Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Admission Block

Item details


Name of item:	Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Admission Block
Other name/s:	RPA
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Health Services
Category:	Hospital
Location:	Lat: -33.8895410632 Long: 151.1825829390
Primary address:	Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050
Parish:	Petersham
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Sydney
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
PART LOT	1000		DP	1159799

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Missenden Road	Camperdown	Sydney	Petersham	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
NSW Ministry of Health	State Government

Statement of significance:


	The Administration Block, both internally and externally, is an item of exceptional significance. It is a major surviving item of the original hospital; the historic core that has been in continuous use. The building is a fine example of the work of George Allan Mansfield, first president of the Institute of Architects. The three surviving facades and roof form are a finely detailed example of Victorian architecture. Together with the Victorian and Albert wings the group has an important landmark quality as one of the most imposing facades in Sydney. (Heritage Group, State Projects, NSW Dept. of Public Works & Services, 1997)
	Date significance updated: 21 Nov 03
	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:	Mansfield Brothers (building); Charles Moore and James Jones (garden, grounds)
Construction years:	1876-1882
Physical description:	The entrance is located on a central axis. Originally the plan was 'H' pattern. The eastern position of the building was demolished to construct the Duke of Edinburgh building, leaving only the front part of the block together with the central hall extending into the newer building. The building is Victorian Free Classical in style, built symmetrically about a three-storey portico. Built with a cream brick façade and sandstone embellishments, with red bricks emphasising the ground floor arched openings. The entrance portico has grey granite columns. The roof covering was originally slate, but is now terracotta tiling. Interior: Within the ground floor is a vast lobby, with marble flooring, elaborate plaster work to both walls and ceiling and several very fine stained glass windows, depicting the Royal Coat of Arms, Queen Victoria, Caritas etc. The rear of the lobby has a pressed metal ceiling and a 'Lyncrusta' Art Nouveau dado. The southern side hall has a floor of very fine High Victorian tiles, probably the whole lobby floor was originally to this pattern. (National Trust)
Modifications and dates:	The rear wing was removed c. 1980. The major public spaces were redecorated as part of the alterations made in building E block; the architects for this work were McConnell, Smith and Johnson P/L (c. 1986).


Current use:	Hospital
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm, hospital

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 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 (Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani).

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 Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney (Heiss, Sydney City Council).

Prince Alfred:
The attempted assassination of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen VIctoria, marred the Australian (and its first) visit of a member of the Royal family. On 12th March 1868, while attending a picnic at Clontarf on Sydney's north, Prince Alfred was shot in the back by Henry James O'Farrell, a self-proclaimed Fenian fighting 'for the wrongs of Ireland'. The assailant was swiftly overpowered by a member of the crowd, William Vial, but not before a second shot was fired into the foot of an onlooker. The Prince was transferred, via HMS Morpeth, to Government House and attended to by Dr. Watson, surgeon of HMS Challenger. Two days later the bullet was extracted by Dr. Young of HMS Galatea (the Prince's ship), with a special golden probe created for the procedure (RPA Museum, 2019).

To commemorate his recovery, a public meeting, on 20 March 1868, resolved to build a new hospital. This new hospital was originally proposed for Macquarie Street, to incorporate the Sydney Infirmary. The Board of that institution eventually rejected this proposal.

Public meetings were soon held around Sydney and its citizens quickly resolved to construct the 'Prince Alfred Memorial Hospital'. The money raised was originally to go to the Sydney Infirmary but because of land restrictions a new site was sought (ibid, 2019).

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital:
In 1872 the Senate of the University of Sydney granted land from the former Grose Farm for the erection of the hospital, which would serve as a teaching hospital for the University's Medical School and for the training of nurses.

On 3 April 1873 the NSW Parliament passed on Act to incorporate Prince Alfred Hospital. Mansfield Brothers were appointed as architects.

The first building erected was a cottage, later the gardener's cottage, near the southern entrance from Missenden Road.

The foundation stone was laid on 4/4/1873 and the hospital officially opened on 25/9/1882. (The Administration Block). On opening, the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital cost 495 pounds per bed, compared to the Sydney Hospital's 379 pounds per bed.

Inside are several stained glass windows and busts of prominent RPA men from the late 19th and early 20th century. There is also a bust of Florence Nightingale which was relocated here from the Queen Mary Nurses' Home in 2005. In addition to the adminstrative offices and quarters for medical and nursing staff, the building originally housed the medical library, the outpatients' department, a dispensary, a waiting room for patients requesting admission or for their visitors and two beds for accident cases.

Originally a large wooden staircase sat in the centre of the foyer and was staffed by Hall Porter, Mr James Crosbie, who held this post for 22 years. His job was to monitor all comings and goings and keep track of which physicians and surgeons were on duty. Outside, on the southern end of the building was a high paling fence with wooden gates leading to a carriageway with gaslight lamps att he entrance and aporter's lodge on the right. The fence was replaced by a stone dwarf wall with stone posts. The front gardens have always been a source of pride for the hospital. The tall palms that grew from seeds brought back by Corporal Sandy Wilson from the South African (Boer) War have long since gone but other trees and shrubs have taken their place. One of the seeds (of the palms) is thought to have been planted at the bottom of Johns Hopkins Drive and the palm is still standing (ibid, 2019).

Admission Building:
Construction started on the Administration Building and C and D Pavilions in 1876. The gardens were established at this time with assistance from the staff of the Sydney Botanic Gardens. The Director of the Sydney Botanic Gardens at this time was Charles Moore and his superintendent of the Domains was James Jones (Stuart Read, pers.comm., 24/9/2020).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of urban amenity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Health-Activities associated with preparing and providing medical assistance and/or promoting or maintaining the well being of humans	Operating public hospitals-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Health-Activities associated with preparing and providing medical assistance and/or promoting or maintaining the well being of humans	Caring for the sick in hospitals-
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.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
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.	Adapted heritage building or structure-
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	Sub-division of large estates-
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	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
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	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
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	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
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	Changing land uses - from suburban to urban-
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	Early farming (Cattle grazing)-
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	Subdivision of rural estates-
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	19th century suburban developments-
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	Suburban Consolidation-
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	Suburban Expansion-
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	19th Century Infrastructure-
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	Creating landmark structures and places in suburban settings-
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	Beautifying towns and villages-
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	Developing suburbia-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in health care-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Providing job training and placement services-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administering a public health system-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Creating and displaying Coats of Arms and official emblems and symbols-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Charles Moore, Director Botanic Gardens and garden maker, 1848-96-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Jones, French-trained gardener, Sydney Botanic Garden staff-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with the Mansfield brothers, architects-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The hospital was established as a charity hospital, with the beds being funded by subscribers. The colonial government, as a major subscriber, was entitled to issue tickets of admission as were the individual subscribers or 'bed donors'. Subscription to charity institutions such as the hospital was seen as being prestigious and lists of subscribers were published regularly. In later buildings, such as King George V Hospital plaques recorded the donors names. The hospital was intended to care for the poor, who could not afford medical care in their own homes. In order to help develop an ethic of 'self-help' amongst the working classes all patients were encouraged to pay an appropriate level of fee. The hospital admitted private patients from the start, particularly those who did not have friends or relatives living in Sydney. Additional private facilities were provided in the late 1930s with the construction of Gloucester House. The system of tickets of admissions to hospitals gradually vanished, with the majority of the funding now being provided by the government rather than by public subscription. From the 1920s onwards people were being admitted to hospital who previously would have been cared for at home. This care was particularly evident in the case of maternity care. (Heritage Group, State Projects, NSW Dept. of Public Works & Services, 1997)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The survival of historical artefacts and records in both the hospital and the medical school gives the potential for future research on the types of patients and illnesses, nursing and hospital practice, the development of the hospital and on medical and nursing training. There is also information related to particular individuals. The original hospital buildings were designed according to the latest known techniques, and include the use of steel beams with small span concrete or corrugated iron vaulting between. The technique was designed not only to be fireproof but would also provide a medium that would not permit the transmission disease. More recent buildings have been constructed using similar materials with a similar aim. In addition the layout was designed to provide for the movement of patients around the hospital , on trolleys before the widespread use of lifts. The movement of patients in the open air was obviously considered appropriate when the hospital was constructed however enclosed walkways have subsequently been constructed to link areas of the hospital. Some of the surviving features of the various buildings demonstrate technical developments in medical care and technology. Some features are part of the design, others are part of the equipment and services. These features, when known, are identified in the inventory but more work remains to be done in this area. Additional features are likely to be discovered during building works. (Heritage Group, State Projects, NSW Dept. of Public Works & Services, 1997)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The hospital continues to be held in high regard by the community, by the staff and by the patients. It has a high reputation for the quality of medical care generally and for its specialised medical and research facilities. Hospitals are places of major events in the lives of individuals in the community, births, serious illnesses, accidents and deaths. Individuals and families have strong feelings and associations with the place as the site of these major events in their lives. Generations of NSW residents, in particular Sydneysiders have memories of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. The staff, both the doctors and the nurses have strong associations with the place, particularly because of eth length of time many spent within the institution as a student. As a major teaching hospital it has a strong impact on many nurses and doctors practicing today. The expansion of the hospital to the south created community opposition, particularly to the demolition of residences. This opposition has subsided in recent years now that the major phase of demolition has been completed, but there is still some concern regarding the impact of the hospital on the community, particularly regarding parking issues. An in-depth survey of the views of the staff and the community has not been undertaken as part of this study. (Heritage Group, State Projects, NSW Dept. of Public Works & Services, 1997)
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.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Conservation Plan		Mar 19 1998
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00830	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register		16/2/1/1000	01 Feb 92

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Department of Community Services - Preliminary s170 Register	1993	16/2/1/100	State Projects Heritage Group		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Historic Buildings Group, Public Works Department	1991	Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Conservation Guidelines
Written	Schwager Brooks and Partners	1992	Department of Health - Preliminary Heritage and Conservation Register	View detail

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:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5012305
File number:	S90/07364/03

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