Shop, Ken Duncan Gallery

Item details


Name of item:	Shop, Ken Duncan Gallery
Other name/s:	Ambulance Station
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Health Services
Category:	Ambulance Station
Location:	Lat: -33.8585430295 Long: 151.2088149140
Primary address:	73 George 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
LOT	1		DP	790998

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
73 George 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:


	The Ken Duncan Gallery 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 main building is significant in that it retains a majority of building fabric dating from 1842 and its site was an allotment subdivided by Frederic Unwin. The main building is also significant in remaining possibly the oldest surviving identifiable hotel building in The Rocks area. The sandstone and brick perimeter walls to the rear yard are significant in dating from the middle 19th century and demonstrate the hotel's yard evolution. The main building retains the potential for its return to its near original configuration and street appearance to complement this highly significant surviving 19th century townscape precinct in George Street. The building and site has been associated with many uses throughout its long history, its use as a hotel being of predominate significance, and it illustrated the changing social fabric of the area which once had a concentration of public houses demonstrating the importance of the consumption of alcohol to the economy of the area. The construction of the building clearly demonstrates the form of 19th century building techniques and the improved standards pertaining to a c1840 hotel building. The size and scale of the building continues to make an important contribution to the streetscape of George Street and sympathetic relationship to nearby similar buildings. The site has important associations extending back in history to the establishment of the first hospital in the colony in 1788 and also has significant associations with many 19th century historical figures including Surgeon William Balmain, Frederick Garling, Frederic Unwin. The site development illustrates the way an intensive urban use character evolved reflecting the growth of The Rocks Area generally. (Sheedy 1991: 32) High Significance Fabric: Remaining 19th century fabric of east, west, south and elevations; remaining early 19th century fabric of north elevation; remaining 19th century wall enclosures. Medium Significance Fabric: Remaining late 19th century fabric of north elevation; timber joists and pressed metal ceiling (first floor) Low Significance Fabric: 20th century components of north, west and south elevations; 20th century roof forms; visible 20th century alterations including joinery (ground floor); 20th century partition wall and joinery, timber flooring and fluorescent lights and electric fan (first floor)
	Date significance updated: 31 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


Designer/Maker:	1927-8 Front Facade, Howie Moffot & Co
Construction years:	1842-1843
Physical description:	Ambulance depot, 1928. Older buildings at rear. Sandstone rear wall along back boundary. Sandstone brick wall on side boundary. Various dates to these structures. 1842-1843, 1870; Built By: 1840s 73 George Street North, former Ambulance Station A two storey masonry walled structure with a cellar and attached roof over a rear yard enclosed by sandstone boundary wall on two sides (now demolished). The building used to cover the entire site between George Street and Kendall Lane at the rear. The single pitched gable roof is of corrugated iron and is screened from George Street by parapets (Sheedy, 1991: 18). Style: Georgian Art Nouveau; Storeys: 3 including basement; Facade: 1928 Modelled Facade; Side Rear Walls: Sandstone brickwork; Roof Cladding: Corrugated Iron; Floor Frame: Timber, Concrete; Ceilings: 1st floor pressed metal (ibid, 1991: 18).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Archaeology Assessment Condition: Partly disturbed. Assessment Basis: Floor level with George Street, and terraced up to level of Kendall Lane. Investigation: Monitoring during works 1994. Evidence of deposits.
	Date condition updated:03 May 01
Modifications and dates:	In March 1927 Howie Moffot & Co. submitted plans for alterations to the building and in 1928, after the completion of the facade and internal works, the Circular Quay Depot of the Central District Ambulance Service began operations.


Current use:	Ken Duncan Gallery
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, Ambulance Station, Public House

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 was a part of the first hospital site. Lot 2 of Sydney City Section 85 was originally granted to William Carr and George John Rogers by Crown grant in October 1838. In February 1839, Frederic Wright Unwin became one of the owners of the Carr & Williams grant and on February 26, 1842 Unwin conveyed to Matthias Hooper lot 8 of Unwin's subdivision (SCRA 1979: KL/08).

Hooper erected a public house on lot 8 in 1842-43 which was called the 'Kings Head'. The three storey building containing ten rooms was constructed with brick walls and a slated roof. The public house was described as having 'every convenience'. The building was 25 feet wide by 40 feet deep. Hooper was the publican of the 'Kings Head' until he conveyed the property to William Carss in December 1849. Carss employed Edward Hancock to manage the public house during 1850. In March 1853, W Carss and his wife conveyed the 'Kings Head' to William Anthony Wright. Wright leased the hotel to George F Ewen, publican, who managed the inn from 1854 to 1859 (SCRA 1979: KL/08).

During 1855 Wright erected stores to the rear of the lot, along the southern boundary against Mrs. Samson's Cottage. on January 21, 1856 W A Wright conveyed the public house to Thomas Goudie a confectioner of Sydney. During 1860 -61 James Goudie managed the inn which was still known as the 'Kings Head' (SCRA 1979: KL/08).

In September 1870, Goudie conveyed the property to Andrew Henry Julius Baass, accountant, who in the same month sold the property to Joseph George Raphael, merchant. Raphael changed the hotel's name to the 'Great Pacific Hotel' in 1874 and in c1870 the stone perimeter walls were erected to the north and west boundaries of the allotment. In 1885, the Hotel's name was changed again to the 'P & O Hotel' by the new licensee Mrs. Mary A Ferguson who remained until 1891 (SCRA 1979: KL/08).

In December 1900 the property was resumed by the NSW Government. The P&O Hotel operated until at least 1909. The Salvation Army, Naval and Military Home was established in 1911 and remained the tenants until 1927 when the building was renovated (SCRA 1979: KL/08)

In March 1927 Howie Moffot & Co. submitted plans for alterations to the building and in 1928, after the completion of the facade and internal works, the Circular Quay Depot of the Central District Ambulance Service began operations.
(SCRA 1979: KL/08)

In 1950 the Housing Commission was responsible for the leasing of the property, rent was charged at 5 pounds per annum.

In 1971 the upstairs rooms were rewired, painted and refurnished to provide school and demonstration facilities for Introductory Training Classes for recruits for the Central District. At the end of 1973 classes ceased when responsibility for training was transferred to the NSW Ambulance Board. In the mid 1980s there was a proposal to establish an Ambulance Service Museum on the premises and for a time several old Ambulances were on display.

By late 1990 the premises were found to be infested with white ants and the floor boards, particularly on the first floor were unsound and creating an occupational and safety issue.

The premises were vacated on 9 November 1990 and the lease relinquished to the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority.
(Sheedy 1991: 16)

As at 2008 the Ken Duncan Gallery occupies the premises.

[Archaeology Notes: Lease to William Balmain (See also: AR033-034; AR036-037; AR044-045; AR145; AR149) by 1800. Lease to William Gaudry (See also: AR033-034; AR036-037; AR044), January 1810. Granted as Lot 2, Section 85 to William Carr and G.J. Rogers (See also: AR033-034; AR036-037; AR044; AR126), solicitors, as trustees for James Shepherd, Richard Wood, Nathaniel Dermot, James Webber and Edmund Pontifex, assignees of estate of John Plummer and William Wilson, formerly Fenchurch Street, London, merchants and bankrupts. Current building built 1840s. Converted to Ambulance Station 1920s. Renovations for shop and residence 1994.]

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	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	Innkeeping-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Developing discrete retail and commercial areas-
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	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-
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	Providing ambulance services-
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-
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.	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.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
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	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
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	Developing ports-
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	Welfare-Activities and process associated with the provision of social services by the state or philanthropic organisations	Destitute and alone-
7. Governing-Governing	Welfare-Activities and process associated with the provision of social services by the state or philanthropic organisations	Providing geriatric and old age care-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Community organisations-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Fund-raising activities for community charities-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Providing charity-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The adaptation of the original Colonial hotel into a Art Nouveau utility building effectively illustrates the redevelopment of the Rocks, and Sydney. Its has value as a greatly altered but remaining identifiable example of the early development in Sydney. The changing uses of the building are very significant ie. Hotel, Salvation Army, Naval and Military Home and Ambulance Station, in portraying the changing history of the precinct and Sydney. The infill building allows the historic pattern of early subdivision in 1841by Frederic W Unwin of The Rocks are to be clearly understood. The building has associations with significant 19th century historical figures, including Surgeon William Balmain, Frederick Garling senior and junior and Frederick Unwin.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The later Art Nouveau facade is well detailed, and illustrates an important surviving adaptation of a early hotel building into a utility building. The form, scale, detailing and material of the facade contributes greatly to this very significant streetscape. This is particularly relevant with the many nearby buildings in The Rocks of the same architectural style, ie circa 1920-30's which all contribute to give the area a strong and rich historical character. The fine 1880's rock faced perimeter wall is significant as well detailed rear and side boundary wall.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The use of the former early 1842 public house or hotel with 'every convenience' is very significant to this period of the Rocks precincts and Sydney. The Salvation Army, Naval and Military Home use between 1911 to 1927 . The change of use to an Ambulance Station in 1927 is significant.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The form of early construction with a sandstone basement and three storey brick building. The sandstone retaining walls supporting the brick wall above indicate an important early method of construction. The later 1927 alterations to the building and the transformation of the facade into a modern style of the time.
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:

The use of the building: Future uses of the building should require that all remaining 19th century materials and building elements be retained and re-used sympathetically wherever possible. Uses should entail minimal interference to the 19th century fabric. The building envelope: If the Authority is satisfied that sufficient physical and documentary evidence exists then the reconstruction of the building to its c1870 appearance should be ultimately promoted. If the Authority is not satisfied that sufficient information exists for an external reconstruction to take place then it is to be conserved in its present form with window openings formed in the west elevation in a form sympathetic to a 19th century arrangement. The building interior: The cellar is to be conserved in its present form with the steel support beams replaced with non corroding alternative support structure. Consideration is to be given to replacing the concrete floor with timber. The ground floor access passage and stair location is to be reconstructed in the earlier form. The first floor area is to be adapted for residential or office space as required. A full reconstruction of the building interior may involve the building of a second floor. The covered rear yard: The roof over the covered yard is to be removed as is the concrete floor over the old light well area and the timber staircase and stair flights to the lane. The yard should be returned as far as possible to a 19th century appearance. Modification to provide ramp access to the lane should be permitted provided that this is sympathetically designed with reference to the 19th century surroundings. Details and Decoration: The replication of original or earlier colour schemes, structure and details should be undertaken wherever this possible. Comparison and replication of surviving earlier details of the Unwin's Stores building may be an acceptable course of action for the re-creation of internal spaces. (Sheedy 1991: 35-36) Above and below ground archaeological remains: An archaeological conservation plan is recommended.

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Review a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
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		01589	10 May 02	85	2865

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
SCA Register 1979-1998	1998	B033, AR035	Sydney Cove Authority (SCA)		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Management Plan			Grants index.
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Shop, Ken Duncan Gallery	View detail
Written	David Sheedy P/L,	1991	The Ambulance Station, 73 George Street, The Rocks, Conservation Plan
Written	Higginbotham, Kass & Walker	1991	The Rocks and Millers Point Archaeological Management Plan
Written	Lester Tropman & Associates	1989	Conservation Analysis & Statement of Cultural Significance for the Ambulance Station, at 73 George Street & Coach House Precinct to Kendall Lane
Written	SCRA	1979	Building Data Sheet KL/08
Tourism	Tourism NSW	2007	Ken Duncan Gallery The Rocks, Sydney	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:	5053205

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.