Shelbourne Hotel

Statement of Significance

Part of Sussex Street Group, a modified American Romanesque style corner pub from early Federation. The building presents early elevations to both Sussex and Market Streets and makes an important contribution to streetscape and scale in relation to other Victorian warehouse buildings along Sussex Street. The Hotel is listed on the Australian Heritage Database, demonstrating the esteem in which it is held by the wider community.

Description

Assessed significance: Local

Item type: Built

Current use: Hotel

Former use:

Group: Commercial

Category: Hotel

Designer/Maker:

Builder/Maker:

Construction Years: 1902 - 1902

Physical Description: Elaborate example of commercial Federation architecture; three storey building of load bearing brickwork, decorated with bands and lintels of patterned stucco work, parapets being the most lively and decorative elements in the composition. Style modified American Romanesque and probably the last of the city buildings in this view. All joinery windows etc appear to be original except for shopfront (about 1920s). All in good condition. The interior of the hotel has been renovated, there is none of the original features evident on the interior.

Property Description

Lot/Volume Number Section Number Plan Folio Code Plan Folio Number
1/0 739093

Address

200 Sussex Street, Darling Harbour 2000
LGA(s): Sydney

Historic Notes and Themes

Historical notes: The Shelbourne Hotel was built in 1902 on the corner of Sussex and Market St. It was used as a hotel until 1975 when it was converted into a restaurant. In 2000 it was restored as a Hotel. The building is an elaborate example of commercial Federation architecture with elements of the 'American Romanesque' style which was popular in the 1890s. It is a three storey building in brickwork with rendered bands and decoration around openings and parapets. The detailed decoration to the parapets is particularly fine. The windows at street level have been altered, but windows on the upper levels appear to be original. The hotel relates in scale and character to the Victorian warehouse buildings along Sussex St. The interior of the hotel has been renovated and it is only the two street front facades which are original.

Historical significance: The Shelbourne Hotel is part of the Sussex Street heritage group.

Historical association:

Aesthetic significance: Elaborate example of commercial Federation architecture. Style is modified American Romanesque and probably the last of the city buildings in this view.

Social significance: The Hotel is listed on the Australian Heritage Database, demonstrating the esteeem in which it is held by the wider community.

Research significance:

Rare assessment:

Representative assessment:

Intact assessment: The facades facing Sussex and Market Streets are the only original features of the building, and should be maintained.

Physical condition: The building has been renovated and restored and is in very good condition. The two facades are all that remains of the original, the interior has been massively renovated and displays no original fabric.

Australian Theme NSW Theme Local Theme
Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Activities associated with recreation and relaxation.

Listings

Heritage Listing Listing Title Listing Number Gazette Date Gazette Number Gazette Page
Royal Australian Institute of Architects register 4700672
National Trust of Australia Register 6509
Register of the National Estate 001945 21/03/1978
Heritage Act - s.130 Order 16/03/1984 42
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register Place Management NSW

References

Type Author Year Title
Written  Higginbotham and Kass for Public Works Department of NSW  1984  Darling Harbour Bi-Centennial Development Project.; A Brief History of its Evolution and an Assessment of the Cultural Significance of the Items of the Built Environment in the Area.   

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