Argyle Terrace - Caminetto's Restaurant
Location: 13-15 Playfair Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000
Constructed: 1883 - 1884
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Built in 1883, this pair of terraces are a representative, but slightly more elaborate, example of typical workers housing being built for the rental market during the mid-Victorian period in Sydney, in an area including other retail and commercial uses. The terraces demonstrate clearly the stages of development of this group and the typical subdivision patterns which occurred during the period 1875-1883. Together with the adjacent terraces, they formed part of the first residential restoration/revitalisation project undertaken by the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority in the 1970s.
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Physical Description
These terraces, built in 1883, are slightly more elaborate in style than those of the 'Tara Terrace' and the other houses in the terrace as a whole. Their external walls are finished in stucco and painted and incorporate Italinate details such as string courses, a wide cornice, decorative moulded brackets to sills and arched window heads. A parapet exists to the Playfair Street facade and the roof is of a much lower pitch than those of the adjoining buildings. Nevertheless, the buildings are representative of the Worker's housing of this slightly later period and share many features of the other terraces in Playfair Street. (Tropman 1993: 30-31)
Style: Victorian (Worker's housing); Storeys: Two; Facade: Brick & Cement walls; Side Rear Walls: Brick & cement walls; Roof Cladding: Corrugated iron; Floor Frame: Timber |
Modifications
1972- Terraces 13 & 15 were combined in 1972 to form a larger space for a restaurant tenancy. |
Condition
Archaeology Assessment Condition: Partly disturbed. Assessment Basis: Floors level with street. Sandstone quarried up to Gloucester Street frontage. |
History
See also Argyle Terrace (No 4500098) Immediately prior to its subdivision in 1874 the subject land appears to have been largely undeveloped and the street now known as Playfair Street was certainly not shown on a plan of the area prepared in 1868. In 1838, the land on the western side of Playfair Street includes part of the grant made to William Carr and John Rogers as Lot 2 of Section 85 plus the 39.9 perches granted to William Billyard of Sydney in 1871. In October 1873 Billyard conveyed the property to Robert Pemberton Richardson of Sydney, Auctioneer, for disposal of the allotments. The subdivision submitted contained 31 allotments. Lots 28-31 were purchased by Thomas Playfair of Sydney and by 1879, only the land owned by Thomas Playfair (lots 28-31) remained undeveloped. In 1883 Thomas Playfair commenced the erection of the two tenements to 3 & 5 Gloucester Street (13-15 Playfair Street). The building first rated in June 1884 and Josiah Graham was the occupant. In 1891 Thomas Playfair's property, 1-5 Playfair Street, (11-15 Playfair Street) was described as follows: No. 1- Occupied by Thomas Playfair with sheds and yards constructed of wood walls and iron roof. Nos. 3 & 5- William A Grant, Master mariner, and J Young, respectively in two storey houses of five rooms constructed with brick and cement walls and iron roof. Alfred Playfair released the properties to the Minister for Public Works after the gazetting of the Observatory Hill Resumption Act in December 1900. In 1923 Playfair Street was realigned and renamed Harrington Street and in 1953 the section of road between Argyle and George Street was renamed Playfair Street. In 1971-72 The Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority restored and refurbished the terraces for a restaurant. (SCRA 1979: PS/01)
Archeology Notes: Leased to John Laurie (See also: AR043) as 2 r 10 p in 1810. Granted to John Laurie as 90 rods on 8 October 1816. Mosman's whaling station (See also: AR043).
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Internet links
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Attraction Homepage |
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Data
| Name of Item: |
Argyle Terrace - Caminetto's Restaurant |
| Other Name/s: |
Former Harry's Bar and Sorrentos, Argyle Terrace ( Harrys, Caminettos ) |
| Type of Item: |
Built |
| Collection: |
Commercial |
| Category: |
Restaurant (food outlet) |
| Location: |
13-15 Playfair Street, The Rocks,
NSW 2000 |
| Local Govt: |
Sydney |
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| Designer: |
Built for Thomas Playfair |
| Constructed: |
1883 - 1884 |
| Current Use: |
Restaurant |
| Former Use: |
Residences |
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