Shops and Residences, Terrace

Item details


Name of item:	Shops and Residences, Terrace
Other name/s:	residential above
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Retail and Wholesale
Category:	Shop
Location:	Lat: -33.8594705056 Long: 151.2085429470
Primary address:	95-99 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
PART LOT	4		DP	77312

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
95-99 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 site and buildings at 95-99 George St, The Rocks, are of heritage significance for the State of NSW for their aesthetic, historical and scientific cultural values, and for its contribution to The Rocks area. Nos 95-99 George Street are excellent examples of 1860s terrace shops and residences in the Victorian Italianate style, located within the main commercial precinct of The Rocks. The extant structures, constructed c.1867, retain a substantial degree of building fabric which demonstrates the architectural practice of the era, including timber framed glazed shop fronts and entrance doors. They are of historic significance as a site continuously used for retail and residential purposes since their construction in 1867. Nos 95 and 97 contain highly intact shop interiors from the Victorian period, rare in NSW context. The near continuous occupation of No 99 by grocers/fruiterers up to c.1980 is historically noteworthy. The buildings form an integral part of what was the major commercial centre of the colony, which has continued in the same use to the present day. As a group, the shops along the western side of George street have a landmark streetscape value, providing a strong architectural statement on the major entry into The Rocks. While differing in style, the buildings are sympathetic in materials and scale and form a unified visual precinct, and make a major contribution to the significance of The Rocks Conservation Area.. The sites have strong associations with former uses and owners including the early penal hospital, the house inhabited by Francis Greenway, and stores erected c.1840 by local builder, Michael Gannon. The sites have archaeological potential to reveal evidence of the previous structures and uses of the site from the early days of the settlement. All have cellars, probably dating from the 1840s. This row of shops and residences are of State heritage significance for their historical and scientific cultural values. The site and buildings 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 scientific significance for the archaeological potential to reveal evidence of earlier buildings on the site including the c1788 Assistant Surgeons residence and the 1840s shop buildings. The cool room in the cellar of No 95 is a rare industrial archaeological resource for understanding early means of refrigeration.
	Date significance updated: 26 Jun 02
	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:	1868-1868
Physical description:	Nos 95-99 George Street comprises a row of three two storey late Victorian shops in the Victorian Italianate style, with original shop fronts to the ground floor. The façade is stuccoed, with heavily moulded architraves around the first floor windows below a prominent but simple cornice and parapet. The timber windows have single pane sashes within arched openings. (National Trust 1977) A cool room from the late 1800s still survives in the basement of No 95. (Doring 1990) No 99 has a stone basement which may be part of the earlier c.1840 building. In 1985, the timber framed street awnings were reconstructed and a pediment constructed with the date '1868' centred over No 97 George Street. (Clive Lucas Stapleton 1999: 10 & 21) The rear of the buildings back onto a pedestrian laneway called Greenway Lane. Style: Victorian Italianate; Storeys: 2; Facade: Stuccoed brick walls; Roof Cladding: Iron; Floor Frame: Timber
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Archaeology Assessment Condition: Mostly disturbed. Assessment Basis: Cellars beneath. Floors lower than rear laneway. Investigation: Site survey
	Date condition updated:03 May 01
Modifications and dates:	By 1958: Awnings to George Street removed, replaced by a removable canvas sun blind. Late 1970s & 1980s: Program of restoration and reconstruction undertaken by SCRA. 1985: Reconstruction of awnings and construction of pediment with '1868' centred over No 97. (Clive Lucas Stapleton 1999: 10-11)


Current use:	Shops/Cafe
Former use:	Aboriginal land, hospital grounds, Shops and dwellings

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 has been in continuous European usage since c1788 as it was part of the first hospital grounds. The hospital stood just to the south of the site and the residence and garden of the assistant surgeon covered part of the site. The hospital was relocated to Macquarie St in 1816 when the 'Rum Hospital' opened. The Assistant Surgeon's residence was occupied by Francis Greenway, the convict architect who had been transported for forging a building contract in 1814.

Greenway was appointed civil architect by Governor Macquarie in 1816, part of his salary included lodgings. After Macquarie left the colony and Governor Brisbane took over, Greenway was retained as a government employee, but was dismissed in 1822. When the appointment ceased, Greenway refused to relinquish the residence, saying that Macquarie had promised to grant him the land and buildings. The Government tried every legal means to remove Greenway, but he finally produced a document which gave him title to the house. This document has since been suspected to be a forgery.

Following the death of his wife, Mary, in 1832, Greenway sold portion of the property with the residence to Frederick Wright Unwin for (Pounds)150. The right of the Crown to the land continued to be contested by the Government and Unwin settled the matter in 1835 by agreeing to pay the Crown (Pounds)2870 for the title. Greenway remained in the house until he was forcibly evicted in July 1836. Unwin was finally confirmed with title to the land in 1838.

In July 1839 Unwin leased the land to Michael Gannon on the express condition that he develop it, the lease agreement required that Gannon:
'shall and will within a reasonable time and within two years at the furthest build and erect on the line of frontage to George St as many houses as will occupy the said frontage of such dimensions as said Michael Gannon may think fit so as such houses are of three stories exclusive of cellars and built substantially and of good materials.'

A plan of Gannon's 1844 lease shows that by that time he had erected a number of buildings fronting George and Argyle Streets, including the New York Hotel at 91 George, his own business premises at 43-45 Argyle St and three shops on the subject site. The rate assessments indicate the buildings were three storey shops with dwellings, brick or stone construction and of eight rooms. In the same year Gannon took out a mortgage with Joseph Samuel Hanson and was insolvent by 1847, forcing him to sell the leasehold to Hanson. Unwin, the holder of the freehold title was also in financial trouble and also declared insolvency in 1847. The title to the property was purchased by two investors, Robert Archibald Morehead and Mathew Young, in 1844 for (Pounds)2 300.

In 1861, for an unknown reason, the buildings at 95-99 George St were vacated and the buildings demolished. The land remained vacant until c1867 when the present building was constructed, possibly to a pattern book design, by William Bradridge. Bradridge placed an add for tenders from bricklayers for three shops and dwellings in George St North in the Sydney Morning Herald in Feb 1867 which may relate to the construction of the subject buildings.

By 1868, Gannon's assignment of the lease to Hanson had expired and the subsequent lease arrangements have not been located. In 1870, Moorehead and Young sold the land to William Yeoman, a painter who already occupied the premises at 97 George St. As a lengthy gap frequently occurred in the 19th century between effectively taking ownership of land and having the change of ownership registered with the Government, it is possible that Yeoman took over the land and caused the improvements to be carried out prior to officially having the land conveyed to him.

The council rates of 1871 describe the new terrace of shops and dwellings as each of two storeys of five rooms of brick construction with an iron roof. They were occupied by 1868, with a butcher in No 95 and a grocer in No 99, these buildings continued to be used for those businesses for the next 20 years. Yeoman remained in No 97 until 1873.

In 1885 Yeoman sold the property to grazier John Gill of Moonbi for (Pounds)9000, an amount inflated by the financial boom of the time. Gill also acquired most of the land in the block bounded by George, Argyle and Harrington Streets and Suez Canal.

Following the outbreak of the Bubonic plague in Sydney in 1900, the property, along with the rest of The Rocks and Millers Point was resumed by the Government. Following this resumption the Maritime Services Board administered the properties until ownership was taken over by the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority.

The shop at No 95 was Thomas Claydon's butcher from 1868 until 1902, then Joseph Brigg's butchery until 1908. The cool room in the cellar from this early use of the building still remains. A clothier, initially Cohen Bros, then later Abraham Cliffe replaced the butchery and Cliffe continued to trade there until 1922. After this the shop became a grocer until the 1950s.

Of the three shops No 97 had the most varied occupation history, tenants including Yeoman, a painter, then a fishmonger, restaurant, hairdresser and bird dealer occupied the premises for almost 30 years until 1906. Between 1923 and 1931 the Empire Service Club had a reading room in No 97. This club was formed by the ANZAC Fellowship of Women under Dr Mary Booth's leadership in 1923 as a welfare organisation for boys brought to Australia to train as farm labourers under the 'Dreadnought scheme' between 1911 and 1939.

99 George St was continually used as a grocers and run by a number of tenants until the 1970s.

In 1970 control of the land was vested in the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority. The commercial use of the buildings has continued, however they no longer have a residential component. In the late 1970s and early 1980s the SCRA undertook restoration and reconstruction works on the terrace of shops.

The shops are now occupied by The Rocks Cafe, the Sydney Cove Pharmacy and the Sydney Cove Newsagency. (2008)

[Archaeology notes: Assistant Surgeon's residence from c1790-1815 (See also: AR038-039; AR045; AR057-058; AR062-070; AR073-074; AR078-079; AR084-085; AR126; AR129; AR131-132; AR149). The current structure was built in 1868, replacing a row of houses which occupied the site from c1845-1863. No 95 has served as a newsagency since c1930s.]

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.	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	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	(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
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.	(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.	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.	Terrace-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The site of 95-99 George St is historically significant as a site continuously occupied since 1788. The configuration of the building and Greenway Lane is historically significant is demonstrating the approach to urban planning prevalent in The Rocks c1840. The original building at 95-99 George St was constructed contemporaneously with the buildings at 45-47 Argyle St and 91-93 George St, imparting this group of buildings with a shared origin and history. The present boundaries or the site relate to the 1840s development. The current building at 95-99 George St was constructed in 1867, and was one of the second generation of buildings to be built along George St. It is an interesting reflection of the 19th century approach to town improvements in its quality of design and construction and the provision of shopkeepers' dwellings above individual shop fronts. 95 and 97 George St are significant for their continual occupation and use as ordinary (non-tourist) shops, a type once dominant in The Rocks area. 95-99 George St meets this criterion on a local level.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The site of 95-99 George St is of significance for its association with the First Fleet, as the site of the house of the Assistant Surgeon from c1788. The Assistant Surgeon's residence is also associated with the first colonial architect, Francis Greenway who lived in the house between 1815 and c1834. The original building on the site, although demolished and rebuilt in 1867, is associated with Michael Gannon, a ticket of leave convict who made a living as a builder in The Rocks, developing a substantial parcel of land, including the subject site, from 1839. Gannon is an interesting example of the mid 19th century class of pardoned convicts who remained in NSW and practiced trades or professions. The building is also associated with a number of former owners and occupants of note, including Fredric Wright Unwin, William Yeoman and long term resident Thomas Claydon. 95-99 Georg St meets this criterion on a State level
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	95-99 George St is aesthetically significant as a find example of Victorian Italianate style, characterised by the moulded parapet and elaborate first floor window architraves and ground floor glazed timber shopfronts with recessed entrances. 95 and 97 George St are aesthetically significant for containing some of the most intact Victorian period interiors for shops and residences in The Rocks area, including internal linings, joinery, some door and window furniture and an original plan form. 95-99 George St makes an important contribution to the streetscape of George St, and is of significance in continuing the uniform character of the small scale retail shop buildings found in The Rocks. The building is aesthetically significant for its contribution to the streetscape of Greenway Lane, one of the pedestrian laneways in The Rocks area which are highly significant as evocation of the colonial townscape. 95-99 George St meets this criterion on a State level.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The site is socially significant for its long history of continues occupation and residential use. Live-in shopkeepers are increasingly rare in The Rocks and this use is representative of what was once dominant in the social fabric of the area. 95-99 George St is socially significant for its long history and for its contribution to The Rocks area, Australia's premier heritage precinct, as evidenced by its inclusion on a number of lists of buildings of heritage significance formulated by community groups such as the National Trust and representative bodies such as the City of Sydney Council and the Heritage Council of NSW. As part of The Rocks area, 95-99 George St is likely to be held in some esteem by the individuals and groups who are interested in Sydney's history and heritage. 95-99 George St, as part of The Rocks precinct, meets this criterion on a State level.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The site is technically significant for the archaeological potential to reveal evidence of earlier configurations of the hotel structures and road surfaces as well as the c1788 structure occupied by the First Fleet's Assistant Surgeon and later by Francis Greenway. The cool room, located in the basement of 95 George St, built in 1867 for Thomas Claydon, the first lessee, is highly significant for it intactness. It demonstrates the early and long term use of the building as a butcher shop and has the potential to yield information regarding the history of refrigeration in Australia. 95-99 George St meets this criterion on a State level.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	95-99 George is an example of the large number of Victorian period retail shops in The Rocks with continued ordinary (ie non-tourist) retail and residential uses. 95-99 George St is rare for the quantity of original fabric which is retained intact. Nos 95 and 97 are among the most intact mid-Victorian shops in Sydney. The cool room in No 95 George St is rare as an intact example of 19th century refrigeration, built prior to the availability of mechanical means of cooling. 95-99 George St meets this criterion on a State level.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	95-99 George St is a rare example of a Victorian Italianate style terrace of three retail shops in The Rocks of similar fabric, size and use (with residences above the shops). 95099 George meets this criterion on a local level
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		01596	10 May 02	85	2865

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
SCA Register 1979-1998	1998	B044, AR061	Sydney Cove Authority (SCA)		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Sydney Cove Newsagency	View detail
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Sydney Cove Newsagency	View detail
Written	C & M. J. Doring Pty Ltd.	1990	Industrial Archaeological Report on the Coolroom, 95 George Street, The Rocks. Sydney Cove Authority.
Written	Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners Pty Ltd	1999	99 George Street, The Rocks - Conservation Management Plan
Written	Clive Lucas, Stapleton & Partners Pty Ltd	2008	Conservation Management Plan, 95-99 George St, The Rocks
Written	Croker A	1977	National Trust Classification Card - 95-99 George Street (Part of George Street Business Precinct)
Written	Maitland, Neil Colin	1983	George Street, The Rocks: A Streetscape Conservation Study
Written	SCRA	1978	Building Data Sheets HP/19-21
Written	Tropman & Tropman	2001	95-99 George Street , The Rocks CMP

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:	5053212

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