House

Item details


Name of item:	House
Other name/s:	Sailors Return Hotel; Stafford Apts.,75 Harrington Street; Clocktower Devt.
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	House
Location:	Lat: -33.8599821785 Long: 151.2077523060
Primary address:	71 Harrington Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000
Parish:	St Philip
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	1		DP	775889

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
71 Harrington Street	The Rocks	Sydney	St Philip	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Place Management NSW	State Government

Statement of significance:


	This house 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 site has historical significance as part of the Colony's hospital site in 1807, and the building as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. It has aesthetic significance as part of a strong visual precinct of buildings with Nos 55-69 and Nos 42-52 and the Harbour Rocks Hotel on the other side of the street, and with the buildings at 39-47 Argyle Street. Originally built in the 1890s, the house at 71 Harrington Street provided accommodation for the lower middle and working classes in residence in The Rocks until the mid-1970s. In the late-1980s the rear section of the house was demolished and the retained portion became incorporated into the serviced apartment building of the Clock Tower development. The building lost its identity and ability to demonstrate its original configuration and use. The retained street section, however, enhances the human scale of the streetscape. Together with the adjacent terraces it forms a strong visual precinct, contributing to the characteristic Rocks townscape.
	Date significance updated: 30 Mar 11
	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


Construction years:	1860-
Physical description:	71 Harrington Street was constructed circa 1895. Originally rated as a 'shop' it later became a 'lodging house' and, finally, a house. As far it is known the original roof was of corrugated iron. Storeys: Two; Facade: Brick and render; Roof Cladding: Iron
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Archaeology Assessment Condition: Partly disturbed. Assessment Basis: Area under building only. Terraced into hill slope.
	Date condition updated:27 Apr 01
Modifications and dates:	1986/87: The facade of the building was restored as part of the Clocktower development. The iron on the roof was replaced.
Further information:	Further research should be undertaken on the date of construction of the building and the extent of original fabric remaining.


Current use:	Serviced apartments
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, shop, borading house, house and shops

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

The site, in 1807, was located to the west of the garden of the Colony's hospital. After the formation of Harrington Street a portion comprising 13 perches on the western side of the street was granted to a Claimant Thomas Weedon in November 1840. The site was allotment 8 in Section 79 as show on an 1835 survey. Weedon continued as landlord until a date between 1867 and 1871, when Frederick Oatley purchased the property. The 1835 survey map shows an L-shaped building located in the northern half of the site together with a substantial structure to the south. In 1845 the City Council assessed the northern section of the site as containing a two room stone house with shingled roof. The two room stone house appears in the Rate Assessment books, described as a 'very old building', until 1882, when no entry is recorded at this address. The 1891 rate assessment notes Oatley and Cahill as the owners of the site. Oatley remained the owner until c.1895, when E.B.McKenny became proprietor. The site appears to have remained vacant until c.1896, when a building, rated as a two storey house, was constructed for E.B.McKenny.

The house first appeared in the 1898 Sands Directory, when it was known as 33 Harrington Street. It was rated as a shop, and was occupied by a George Jones. The numbering changed to 71 Harrington Street in 1924.

In December 1900 Harrington Street was resumed by the NSW Government as part of Section 8 Observatory Hill lands, component of section 79 City of Sydney. Entries in various Sands Directories indicate that George Jones operated a lodging house at 33 Harrington Street between 1903 and 1918. In 1919 and 1920 Mrs Mary Jones managed the establishment. In the 1920s and 30s there was a large turnover of tenants in the building, tenants paying (Pounds)1-7-6 per week in the 20s and (Pounds)1-9-6 per week in the 30s. SCA tenancy records provide evidence of the everyday existential problems of tenants, noting endless rental arrears and requests for rental reduction or transfer to cheaper premises. In February 1937 George Henry Johnson signed the tenancy contract for the premises. Johnson and his family remained tenant at 71 Harrington Street until 1973, paying (Pounds)1-5-0 per week in 1937, (Pounds)2-16-0 in 1957 and $20-00 in 1973. SCA records note rental arrears and indebtedness of G.H. Johnson a number of times during the 36 years of his tenancy.

Tenancy records note a number of smaller repair and improvement and the tenant's request 'to have the hall and kitchen renovated' and 'to have gas store connected' (1944). In 1946 Johnson asked the 'Board to build verandah or porch' and applied 'for a new entrance be made from the residence to Harrington Street'. The tenant's request for renovation and repairs indicate that in the 1960s the building was in a run-down condition. The building was vacant for at least 10 years then in the late-1980s it was redeveloped as part of the Clock Tower development.

During the redevelopment of the block in the 1980s the rear section of the house at 71 Harrington Street was demolished. The 1986 plan below indicates that half of the rear portion and the chimney stack were removed and a single brick wall built at the western end of the house. Some of the existing internal walls were removed, two doorways were bricked up and new doors and a window were fitted into existing walls at both levels. The architectural character of the street faade and the general roof form together with the noteworthy chimney were retained, but the original house lost its size, mass and form, with much of its original fabric modified. The refurbishment involved the re-roofing of the buildings, replacement of floors and replacement of original features such as fire places, doors and windows with sympathetic replicated elements. While the house was modified, it generally still presents as intact when viewed from Harrington Street.

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.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	(none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Retailing-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	commerce-
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 and gardens of domestic accommodation-
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	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.	City Club accommodation-
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.	Worker's Dwellings-
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.	Serviced apartments-
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.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
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-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Originally built in the 1890s, the house at 71 Harrington Street provided accommodation of the lower middle and working classes in residence in The Rocks until the mid-1970s The remaining portion of the house at 71 Harrington Street has historic significance as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. The site has historical significance as part of the Colony's hospital site in 1807, and the building as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. The item meets this criterion at State level.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The house is associated with the residential life-styles of the lower middle and working classes in residence in The Rocks between the 1890s and the mid 1970s.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The retained section of the house has aesthetic significance as part of a strong visual precinct forming a characteristic Rocks townscape with the adjacent terraces and the Harbour Rocks Hotel on the other side of the street. The retained street section of the former house enhances the human scale of the streetscape and reinforces the historic character of The Rocks. The item meets this criterion at State level.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The cottages contribute strongly to the character of The Rocks heritage precinct which is highly valued by the contemporary community in Sydney and by visitors from elsewhere in Australia and overseas. This is evidenced by the listing on the National Trust Register
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The sandstone cliff face at the street frontage serves as continuous remainder of the original ragged topography of The Rocks peninsula. The item does not meet this criterion at either State or local level.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	There are no historic features of the place that exhibit an uncommon, rare or endangered aspect of NSW’s cultural or natural history. The item does not meet this criterion at either State or local level.
Integrity/Intactness:	Archaeology partly disturbed.
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:


	Above ground archaeological remains: An archaeological watching brief or monitoring program is recommended. Below ground archaeological remains: An historical and archaeological assessment prior to archaeological investigation is recommended.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	For 71 Harrington St submitted by Place Management NSW. This CMP alos includes 55-59 Harrington St SHR 01610; 61-65 Harrington St SHR 01602; & 67 Harrington St SHR 01603.		Nov 26 2019
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		01551	10 May 02	85	2865

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
SCA Register 1979-1998	1998	B090, AR085	Sydney Cove Authority (SCA)		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written			Section survey.
Written	Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd	2007	Conservation Management Strategy, 71 Harrington Street, The Rocks
Written	S Collingridge	1978	National Trust Classification Card: Warehouse, 71 Harrington Street: Card 10 of the Harrington Argyle Precinct
Written	SCRA	1984	Building Data Sheet CS/06,

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:	5053167

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