Shop, Rockpool Restaurant

Item details


Name of item:	Shop, Rockpool Restaurant
Other name/s:	Rockpool Restaurant - Shop
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Retail and Wholesale
Category:	Shop
Location:	Lat: -33.8597696605 Long: 151.2084293820
Primary address:	107-109 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	12		DP	773812

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
107-109 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 Rockpool Restaurant and site are of State heritage significance for their aesthetic, 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 buildings at 107-109 George Street are an integral part of the fabric of The Rocks and associated with all key phases of its history, from the establishment of the colony. A particular association lies with the importance of the harbourside of Circular Quay to the commerical precinct of The Rocks in the mid 19th century. The building is a very fine representative example of commerical buildings designed in a mid-Victorian Regency style that also relflects a strong degree of confidence in this area at the time of its construction by its owner, Patrick Freehill. The architectural design qualities of the buildings and their previous use as a combined shop and residence, for which evidence remains, provide rarity value for these buildings. They were built in 1861 by Patrick Freehill and have had a continual commercial use since they were built. The surviving fabric has the ability to yield information on early building techniques as well as the way of life for the inhabitants. The rear section of the property incorporates the ground floor sandstone wall of a former two-storey stables/bakehouse. The buildings use since the 1970s as a restaurant continue the commercial history of the site and also relflect the growth of The Rocks area as a tourist destination. It is also as an early example of the restoration work of the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority. The Rockpool restaurant is a long running iconic Sydney restaurant that contributes to the character of The Rocks as an international tourist desination. The site at 107-109 George Street is a place of high archaeological research potential. Should sub-surface archaeological resources remain intact, the site is likely to yield important evidence of material culture that contributes information about the development and occupation of The Rocks area that is unavailable from other sources.
	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


Construction years:	1860-1860
Physical description:	Construction at 107-109 George Street commenced in 1861 on the three-storey, plus basement and attic, masonry buildings. These buildings are constructed of sandstone on the George Street facade and unrendered brick at the rear. The north facade of 107 and south facade of 109 have a smooth ashlar-jointed rendered brick finish. The party wall between the two buildings is of brick construction. There is a hipped roof over each property with two rendered brick chimney stacks, each with six pots, straddling the common wall. A single-storey section at the rear of both buildings incorporates some earlier, 1857, sandstone walls with a new rendered brickwork parapet wall above. The roof structure of this section was built as part of the 1988 interior design for the Rockpool restaurant. In 1988 the architectural firm, D4 Design undertook the refurbishment of the ground and first floors of 107-109 George Street for Neil Perry, Chef, of the Rockpool restaurant. (Godden Mackay 1999:33) Style: Renaissance Revival; Storeys: 3 + Basement; Roof Cladding: Iron; Floor Frame: Timber
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Archaeology Assessment Condition: Partly disturbed. Assessment Basis: Floors at or above George Street level, but below level of Nurses Walk.
	Date condition updated:27 Apr 01
Modifications and dates:	1861/1857: Construction 1988: refurbishment for restaurant 2009: Internal and external conservation works including reinstatement of replica pediment sandstone carving


Current use:	Restaurant
Former use:	Shop and Bakery, residences

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 subject site was part of the first hospital grounds from 1788; by 1790 a new prefabricated hospital replaced the earlier tent hospital. By 1800 there were three structures in use for the hospital and it appears the subject site lay between the most northerly hospital building and the assistant surgeon's house which stood on the SW corner of Argyle and George streets. The hospital store building may have extended over this the subject site.

By 1812 some small, single storey buildings occupied the site; these could have been the store houses for the hospital. In 1816 the new 'Rum Hospital' opened in Macquarie Street, the original hospital on George St was demolished and the site became a government stone quarry.

The site was later granted to Mr Broughton who appears to have given it to his wife, Elizabeth, as it is her name that is notated on later maps. The Broughtons did not build on the land until 1832 or 33 when they erected a dwelling and a shop.

In November 1841 the land was subdivided and offered for sale, it was divided into four Lots, Lot 1 is the present 109 George St, Lot 2 is 107 George. The plan for the auction shows that there was a shoe shop on Lot 1 and a structure marked as Mr Bradley house and shop on part of Lot 1 and along the street frontage of Lot 2. This single storey two roomed shop had wooden walls and a roof of timber shingles.

Broughton sold Lot 2 (no. 107) to John Donohoe in 1842 who immediately erected a single storey wooden bakehouse timber shingled roof. It appears that Donohoe purchased both Lots as he is indicated as the owner in 1845 on the rates records, the first year they were collected.

In 1854 Patrick Freehill purchased Lot 2 in 1854 and Lot 1 in 1856. Freehill erected a bakehouse and store to the rear of his two properties during 1857. The stone store with timber shingles was three storeys and contained ovens and stables. The lower sections of walls still remain. In 1860 P Freehill erected a four storey (inc. basement) buildings to on both Lots. The southern half of this building was described in Sydney Municipal Rate Books of 1863 as a 'Public House' constructed of stone walls and slate roof. Freehill retained the rear store and bakehouse of Lot 1 but conveyed the Public House known as 'The Shipwrights Arms' to Reverend P Young in 1868. Freehill mortgaged his property to the Bank of NSW in 1874 and in 1876 the 'Official Insolvency Assignee Alfred Sandeman' conveyed the property to the Bank. The premises remained a hotel called 'The Shipwrights Arms' until 1900 when the name changed to the 'Chicago Hotel' and Margaret Riley licensee.

Nos 107 and 109 George St were resumed by the Government in 1901, these building survived the demolitions that occurred around the area because of their substantial nature and relatively young age. Around 1910 the Hotel on 109 George St became a fish shop and later a cafe. 107 George St was a clothes shop between 1900 and the early 1920s, initially run by Mrs K Symonds and then WH Kent and Co. After that it became a hairdresser. By the 1960s, 107 George St contained a laundry and a museum with residential apartments in the upper levels and 109 was a restaurant known as 'The Rocks Push'.

The building has undergone extensive remodelling during the last half of the 20th century, in 1978 the Rocks Push Restaurant expanded into 107 George requiring extensive renovations including the removal of the party wall between the two properties. In the same year the central section of the top floor sandstone George St faade was reconstructed due to structural failure. In 1980 the shopfront of 107 George which was remodelled in the 1920s was reconstructed to match the existing original at 109 which was also restored. After 1985 the original residential entrance doors were removed from both buildings and replaced with fixed glazing and the paint was also removed from the sandstone faade.

The building were again extensively remodelled on the ground floor for the opening of the Rockpool restaurant by Neil Perry, Rockpool opened in February 1989 and was long the tenant. In 2009 the building underwent internal and external conservation works and a replica sandstone carved pediment was reinstated onto the roof.

In 2022 it was announced that William Blue Dining will call time on its 7 year run in the former Rockpool site. Chef Neil Pertry told SMH Good Food he isn't plotting a return to The Rocks, where he made his name. The site, wihch still deserves a blue plaque acknowledging its role in modern Australian food - will attract interest (Bolles, SMH, 30/8/2022).

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	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
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.	Housing in shop-based 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.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
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-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Going to a restaurant-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Tourism-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The buildings at 107-109 George Street have historical significance for the site is reasons: Nos 107-109 George St is located on a site that was integral in the early development of the colony, being associated witht the first hospital and later an early quarry 107-109 George St is representative of the nature of development of privately built and owned commerical properties found in The Rocks in the mid-nineteenth century as part of the development of the northern end of George St as a commericial centre associated with the maritime activity of Circular Quay. Located within The Rocks business precinct these buildings are associated with a period of growing commerical confidence in New South Wales. The building, with its fine sandstone construction and design, is a good representive example of this phase. The history of the site reflects The Rocks generally. Starting as part of the site of the Colony's first hospital, its early development reflects the first commerical developments on George St and in the Nurses Walk area before their consolidation and more intensive development in the middle part of the 19th century. The c1970 refubishment of the building was one of the first undertaken by the then Sydney Cove Redeveopment Authority, a significant phase in The Rocks in the late 20th century. The combined uses of commerical premises with residences over is a typical pattern for this mid 19th century period within The Rocks Nos 107-109 George St is typical of the private waterfront properties resumed by the Sydney Harbour Trust in the early 20th century The buildings have had a continuous commercial use since they were built in 1861. They have been predominatley used as a hotel and baker's in the 19th century and as a barber and restaurant thoughout the 20th century.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The buildings at 107-109 George St are significant due to the following reasons: The site is located in the historic Rocks precinct, which is associated with the convict settlement of Australia as the earliest area of Sydney to be developed. The site on which 107-109 George St is located is associated with the first hospital in Australia The site is located on George St, the earliest and longest operating buisness precinct in Australia, with 107-109 operating as a commercial premises continuously since construction in 1861. The site is associated with early activites of the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority and was one for the first building restored by the Authority. The site is associated with significant restaurant establishments in Sydney, The Rocks Push restaurant in the 1970s and since 1988, Rockpool under head chef Neil Perry.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The buildings at 107-109 George Street have aesthetic significance for the following reasons: The buildings display a high quality architectural design typical of the Victorian Regency style, such as its symmetrical façade, decorative sandstone parapet and restrained classical detailing. 107-109 George Street has streetscape value as being located in a row of commercial premises between Argyle and Globe Streets, in the historic Business Precinct of The Rocks, with similar scale, detailing and alignment to the street; Except for the loss of the original verandah, the street facade of the buildings has remained relatively intact since it was constructed in 1861. Although the Rockpool restaurant interior design of 1988 obscures heritage fabric and spaces it is also of some aesthetic significance as representative of post-modern design influences on interior design and architecture.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The buildings at 107-109 George Street have social significance for the following reasons: The Rocks area is an area of Sydney that is well visited by locals and tourists. It has been the subject of many planning schemes and when threatened with demolition, articles in the press, public meetings and representations demonstrated how highly regarded this area is to the locals, people of Sydney and visitors; Much has been written on the importance of The Rocks as an example of an accumulation of urban artefacts which together present the growth of the area; The Rockpool Restaurant has become an icon of Sydney dining with Neil Perry as Head Chef over the last two decades.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The buildings at 107-109 George Street have Technical/ Research significance for the following reasons: The fabric, although modified has the ability to yield information on the configuration of early Victorian commercial residential buildings and aspects of the way of life of the people who inhabited them; The site has potential to contain sub surface archaeological deposits associated with occupation of the area from the early settlement period in The Rocks; The site may contain evidence of successive phases of use as a bakery from the mid nineteenth century; Archaeological deposits and features, particularly when considered in conjunction with documentary evidence, can provide evidence of material culture that yields information which may be unavailable from documentary sources alone. If present, remains of occupation from as early as the early Nineteenth Century on the site would comprise an archaeological resource which might contribute data that leads to a better understanding of the social, economic and cultural history of Sydney and The Rocks area in particular.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The buildings at 107-109 George Street have comparative rarity significance for the following reasons: The intact sandstone façade to George St is a very fine example of mid-Victorian Regency architecture and a rare example of this style applied to commerical buildings constructed by individual developers of this period. The buildings retain elements of a combined shop/residence, once commonly found in the business district, but now rare.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The buildings at 107-109 George Street have representative comparative significance for the following reasons: 107-109 George Street is representative of the nineteenth-century urban fabric that is found at The Rocks; They are a representative example of early Victorian commercial properties built in the Victorian Regency Style; The buildings have been continuously occupied for commercial retail purposes since construction in 1861; The building's scale, detailing and alignment to the street is typical of that found along the west side of George Street and lining the harbourside as part of the Business Precinct of The Rocks; The buildings are part of the rich fabric of The Rocks which is highly regarded by residents, Sydney people and visitors and acknowledged by the Australian Heritage Commission and the National Trust as part of The Rocks Urban Conservation Area; The potential archaeological resource on the site is representative of the continuous occupation of The Rocks from early colonial settlement, through the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries and into the present and provides an opportunity to consider a range of questions related to change and development of the site. Archaeological evidence from the site has the potential to contribute to the evolving and layered history of this significant area of Sydney. An early example of the SCRA redevelopment projects when it was restored in c1970 as The Rocks Push Restaurant
Integrity/Intactness:	Potential archaeological resource
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 and below ground archaeological remains: An archaeological conservation plan is recommended.

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		01590	10 May 02	85	2865

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
SCA Register 1979-1998	1998	B051, AR065	Sydney Cove Authority (SCA)		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Map			ML Map M2/811.1714/1841/1.
Tourism		2007	Rockpool Restaurant	View detail
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Rockpool Restaurant	View detail
Written	Bolles, Scott	2022	Rocks in our heads and on our plates	View detail
Written	Godden Mackay Logan	2007	107-109 George St, The Rocks, Conservation Management Plan
Written	Godden Mackay Logan	1999	107-109 George Street, The Rocks - Conservation Management Plan
Written	Maitland, Neil Colin	1983	George Street, The Rocks: A Streetscape Conservation Study
Written	SCRA	1978	Building Data Sheets HP/14 & HP/15

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:	5053206

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