Argyle Bridge

Statement of Significance

The Argyle Bridge is of State heritage significance for its historical and scientific cultural values, and for its contribution to The Rocks area which is of State Heritage significance in its own right. The Argyle Bridge has research potential for its association with town planning, street and urban development in early Sydney, and with the ongoing development of transportation systems in The Rocks. The Bridge structure incorporates evidence of the earlier bridge in its abutments and is of historical significance as evidence of the town planning initiatives and urban improvements of the Sydney Harbour Trust in the early 1900s, and of the changes to the road pattern and surrounds involved in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1920s-30s. The Argyle Bridge is held in high esteem by the residents and visitors to Sydney, and contributes strongly to the character of The Rocks.

Description

Assessed significance: State

Item type: Built

Current use: Road bridge

Former use: Road bridge

Group: Transport - Land

Category: Road Bridge

Designer/Maker:

Builder/Maker:

Construction Years: 1911 - 1912

Physical Description: The site includes the 1911 road bridge at Cumberland Street, abutments to the bridge with small obelisk shaped pylons on either side of the road (at the north and south approaches to the bridge), and intact original light fittings. The parapet of the part of the bridge directly over Argyle Street was replaced in the 1950s. The original parapet of the bridge can still be seen to the south of the southern abutments.In 2008 structural cracks and areas of concrete cancer were detected and remedial works carried out to repair the damage.

Property Description

Lot/Volume Number Section Number Plan Folio Code Plan Folio Number
8/0 800881
3/0 800881
9/0 800881

Address

Cumberland Street, The Rocks 2000
LGA(s): Sydney

Historic Notes and Themes

Historical notes: The original Argyle Bridges were built for Gloucester St in 1862, Cumberland St in 1864 and Princes St in 1867-68. The Princes St Bridge was demolished as part of the Harbour Bridge construction. The inscription from the Princes St Bridge identifying Charles Moore is now relocated on the south wall of the Argyle Cut.As part of the improvements undertaken by the Sydney Harbour Trust, Gloucester and Cumberland Streets were realigned and the two road bridges over the Argyle Cut replaced by a single bridge at Cumberland Street in 1911-12. Cumberland Street had previously been located to the west of its current location. The Cumberland Street bridge replaced the lower Gloucester Street Bridge and the higher Cumberland Street Bridge over the Argyle Cut. The work also involved the demolition of 22-24 Gloucester Street, part of View Terrace (now 26-30 Gloucester Street), and construction of the abutments to the bridge and the Argyle Stairs. The parapet of the part of the bridge directly over Argyle Street was replaced in the 1950s.

Historical significance: The Argyle Bridge provides historical evidence of the town planning initiatives to improve the provision of access and infrastructure including the urban improvements of the Sydney Harbour Trust in the early 1900s, and of the changes to the road pattern and surrounds involved in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1920s-1930s.

Historical association:

Aesthetic significance:

Social significance: The Argyle Bridge is held in high esteem by the residents and visitors to Sydney, and contributes strongly to the character of The Rocks conservation area.

Research significance: The Argyle Bridge has research potential for its association with town planning, street and urban development in early Sydney, and with the ongoing development of transportation systems in The Rocks.

Rare assessment:

Representative assessment:

Intact assessment: The parapet of the part of the bridge directly over Argyle Street was replaced in the 1950s. The original parapet can still be seen to the south of the southern abutments. In 2008 inspeciton and repairs were carried out.

Physical condition: In 2008 remedial works were carried out on the bridge to repair structural cracks and areas of concrete cancer. At the same time the Bridge was thoroughly inspected for any other damage and necessaary repairs undertaken.

Australian Theme NSW Theme Local Theme
Building settlements, towns and cities Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages.

Listings

Heritage Listing Listing Title Listing Number Gazette Date Gazette Number Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 01522 Argyle Bridge 10/05/2002 2867 85
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register Place Management NSW

References

Type Author Year Title
Management Plan  Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority  2009  Argyle Bridge 
Written  Kate Blackmore  1986  Streets of The Rocks   

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