Terrace

Item details


Name of item:	Terrace
Other name/s:	Stafford Apartments, 75 Harrington Street; Clocktower Development.
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	Terrace
Location:	Lat: -33.8598114326 Long: 151.2077907530
Primary address:	61-65 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
61-65 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:


	These terraces 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 as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. The terrace has aesthetic significance as part of a strong visual precinct of buildings with Nos 55-59 & 67-71, and Nos 42-52 and the Harbour Rocks Hotel on the other side of the street, and also relates to the buildings at 39-47 Argyle Street. There is a potential archaeological resource remaining in the underfloor area of this site with significant research value into the hospital garden and subsequent site development. This has the potential to add to knowledge about the history of settlement in this area, the earliest European settlement in Australia.
	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:	1870-
Physical description:	61-65 Harrington Street is a mid-Victorian terrace, built c.1870, of three houses of two storeys raised from the road on a stone wall. The brickwork has been painted. The group forms a complement to Nos 42-52 Harrington Street, almost directly opposite, with the same flattened arch decoration above the windows and doors. The window pattern varies in each house, twelve pane double hung being the most common. The steeply pitched roof is covered with corrugated iron. (National Trust 1978) Style: Mid Victorian Terrace; Storeys: Two; Facade: Brick; Roof Cladding: Iron (probably slate originally)
Modifications and dates:	1986/87: The facades of the terrace were restored as part of the Clocktower development. The iron on the roofs was replaced by slate, thought to be the original roofing material.
Further information:	Further research should be undertaken on the date of construction of the building and the extent of original fabric remaining. There is no evidence that the underfloor deposits have been disturbed, leaving a possible archaeological resource.


Current use:	Serviced apartments
Former use:	Aboriginal land, hospital grounds, 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).

Between 1788 and 1816, the site which is now 61-65 Harrington St formed part of the garden of the Colony's Hospital. When the hospital was moved in 1815, this opened up the land for development. The site appears to have been built on by 1822 and by 1835 according to Russell's Survey, it contained an L shaped building, which is also evident on a sewerage survey from c1860.

In 1845, one building was recorded on this site by Council, described as a four room stone house with a shingled roof in 'bad repair'. The land was a Town Grant made to William Young and Young is recorded as the owner by Council in 1851.

From 1851-to c1870 the site changed hands on several occasions. Between 1867 and 1871 however, the earlier house was demolished. In 1871 the site is recorded as containing three two storey brick terrace houses with slate roofs. These are the terraces which remain on the site.

Behind each of the houses was a divided yard which contained single storey buildings which abutted the main buildings. Behind these in the two northernmost yards were additional sheds and outhouses, though the exact form of these buildings is no known.

In 1876, the buildings currently known as 61-65 Harrington St were numbered as 17-21 Harrington St. The numbering again changed in 1889 to 23-27 Harrington St.

In 1900 the NSW Government resumed the site and buildings which were tenanted as residential units until the 1970s. The current numbering was brought into effect in 1924. The terrace is now part of the Clocktower development designed by Michael Dysart, Architects, which comprises 55 serviced apartments, 35 shops, commercial office space and a car park, constructed 1986-89. The apartments are known as the Stafford Apartments.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
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	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.	Terrace-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	These terraces 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 (see item no. 4500458). The site has historical significance as part of the Colony's hospital site in 1807, and as part of the 19th century housing stock in The Rocks. The terrace has aesthetic significance as part of a strong visual precinct of buildings with Nos 55-59 & 67-71, and Nos 42-52 and the Harbour Rocks Hotel on the other side of the street, and also relates to the buildings at 39-47 Argyle Street.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	There is a potential archaeological resource remaining in the underfloor area of this site with significant research value into the hospital garden and subsequent site development. This has the potential to add to knowledge about the history of settlement in this area, the earliest European settlement in Australia. The Rocks is an archaeologically senstive area and there is potential at this site for archaeological features and deposits from all stages of development. While evidence from the hospital is likely to be ephemeral and possibly disturbed it would be of State Significance.
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 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 61-65 Harrington St, The Rocks by Place Management NSW. This CMP also includes 55-59 Harrington St SHR 01610; 67 Harrington St SHR 01603 & 71 Harrington St SHR 01551.		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		01602	10 May 02	85	2865

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
SCA Register 1979-1998	1998	B088	Sydney Cove Authority (SCA)		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	BCS	2006	Conservation Management Plan, 61-65 Harrington St, The 'rocks
Written	Collingridge S	1978	National Trust Classification Card: 61-65 Harrington Street: Card 8, Harrington/Argyle Precinct
Written	SCRA	1984	Building Data Sheet CS/03

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:	5053219

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.

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