66-659: The City Mutual Life Assurance Building is a heritage-listed commercial building located at 60-66 Hunter Street , in the Sydney central business district , New South Wales , Australia. It was built during 1936. It is also known as CML Building and 10 Bligh Street . It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The Head Office of the City Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited has been associated with
132-626: A bus layover was closed and converted into a pedestrian zone. A redesign of CBD bus services in October 2015 reduced the number of bus routes serving Circular Quay. In 2019, the CBD and South East Light Rail to Kingsford and Randwick opened with a terminus in Alfred Street. Circular Quay is a focal point for community celebrations, due to its central Sydney location between the Sydney Opera House and
198-603: A dominant position in the surrounding urban context, serving as a backdrop to Richard Johnson Square and as a landmark in the Bligh and Hunter Streetscapes. Since its completion in 1936, the building has been a symbol of the Mutual Life Assurance Society and the building stands as a monument to the Society's participation in the evolution of Sydney's business and commerce. Significance of the building's individual components
264-517: A large scale development. The initial design caused significant controversy around the country, including intervention by the Prime Minister, Paul Keating , and internationally. A revised 1992 design had the developer reducing building height and providing a colonnade for public access, in exchange for the development extending further towards the foreshore. The resulting development of Bennelong Apartments (nicknamed by critics as The Toaster ), and
330-400: A railway viaduct, and later the elevated Cahill Expressway above the viaduct, across the southern shore of the cove. Circular Quay railway station was opened on 20 January 1956 and the elevated Cahill Expressway was officially opened on 24 March 1958. The construction of the viaduct led to the demolition of the old Maritime Services Board building on the south-western shore. A replacement
396-462: A restaurant that was leased to the Picwick Club . This became well known throughout Sydney for its luncheons, receptions (especially weddings) and its library. A second alteration occurred on the eleventh level where minor changes were made to the staff amenities area. This level also contained the caretaker's flat and a garden. The weight of the soil and the watering of the garden posed problems and
462-460: Is criticised for it positioning and for obscuring views of the Sydney Opera House, from the main pedestrian approach. In 2019, several property developments underway by the private sector in the area, including: Quay Quarter Sydney by AMP Capital, Opera Residences, One Circular Quay by Yuhu Group, Circular Quay Tower by Lendlease, and the Sandstone Hotels precinct by Pontiac Group. In addition,
528-465: Is discussed below. Exterior elevations to Bligh and Hunter Streets represent intact and well-maintained examples of late Art Deco commercial detailing and massing. The materials used to differentiate parts of the building and its proportions demonstrate the Art Deco preoccupation with the precision of modern technology and materials. The tower at the corner of Bligh and Hunter Streets is the focal point of
594-423: Is entered at a 45 degree angle from the main entrance. Because of the building's height and the natural elevation of the site, the structure was originally clearly visible from ferries entering Circular Quay . The City Mutual Building was officially opened on 1 October 1936. Due to the building's success, Sodersteen became the designated architect for the Society's work and undertook a number of other jobs including
660-591: Is one of the foremost examples of high quality and well-designed commercial Art Deco architecture in Sydney's CBD and represents the culmination of the work of one of Australia's foremost proponents of this style, Emil Sodersteen. As a largely intact and well maintained late 1930s structure, the building demonstrates through its powerful exterior elevations and dramatic interior spaces the aesthetic and commercial aspects of Art Deco architecture in Australia. The building occupies
726-418: Is one of the oldest streets in Sydney. It runs from George Street in the west to Macquarie Street in the east. The street was originally named Bell Street. It is named after Governor Hunter , the second Governor of New South Wales . In the 1860s the street housed the glove shop of 'Sharp Lewis' whose large gloved hand swung over the footpath. Next door were the 'Parrot Brothers', who supplied footwear to
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#1732873632389792-525: Is still in place and servicing the building. Spare parts are, however, difficult to obtain and require special manufacturing. The cooling tower has been replaced and a new and separate air conditioning system has been installed for the computer facilities. Lift cars and doors, and presumably the lifting system, has been replaced. Many original light fittings remain as well as some fixtures such as power points and switches. In most cases, however, these have been replaced. The City Mutual Life Assurance Building
858-458: Is the largest and most intact Art Deco commercial chamber in Sydney. It demonstrates Emil Sodersteen's considerable design abilities in accommodating a formally proportioned interior space within an irregular external building envelope. The streamlined space is a controlled image of commercial prestige highlighted by sophisticated detailing and craftsmanship. Scagliola wall and column surfacing, bronze window frames and detailed plasterwork emphasise
924-669: Is the terminus for all public ferry routes in Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River other than the Mortlake Ferry between Mortlake and Putney . Circular Quay was formerly a large tram terminus and interchange. As many Sydney bus routes follow the previous tram lines, the tram terminus in Alfred Street became a major bus terminus for many bus routes. In March 1995, the road on the eastern side of Circular Quay which served as
990-526: The New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 13 October 2018. [REDACTED] Media related to City Mutual Life Assurance Building at Wikimedia Commons Hunter Street, Sydney Hunter Street located in the Sydney central business district in New South Wales , Australia
1056-473: The Pitt to George Street section was converted to one-way in a westerly direction. [REDACTED] Media related to Hunter Street, Sydney at Wikimedia Commons Circular Quay Circular Quay is a harbour , former working port and now international passenger shipping terminal, public piazza and tourism precinct, heritage area, and transport node located in Sydney , New South Wales , Australia, on
1122-532: The Tank Stream , which flowed into Sydney Cove at the western end of Circular Quay, was in-filled. The harbour was originally known as "Semi-Circular Quay", this being the actual shape of the quay. The name was shortened for convenience. Wharves were built on the southern shore. Reflecting Circular Quay's status as the central harbour for Sydney, the Customs House was built on the southern shore in 1844–1845. During
1188-680: The "gateway to Sydney", the precinct has views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House and is a common location for viewing Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks. The Aboriginal name for Circular Quay is Warrung , meaning "Little Child". The first people to occupy the area now known as Sydney were Aboriginal Australians . Radiocarbon dating suggests that they lived in and around Sydney for at least 30,000 years. In an archaeological dig in Parramatta , Western Sydney , it
1254-444: The 1870s, much of the commercial shipping activities was moving away from Circular Quay. The harbour was becoming too small to accommodate the increasing number of large ships accessing Sydney. Instead, shipping activities moved further westwards to Darling Harbour , which also had the advantage of a railway line. With the absence of commercial shipping, the harbour became increasingly used for passenger transport. The first ferry wharf
1320-466: The American skyscrapers of that period. He "regarded the skyscraper as the acme of efficiency and perfection. Its expressive form, facade zoning, integral decoration and rationalised embellishments inspired his distinctive and (in Sydney in the thirties) unique Art Deco". At that time in Sydney the building was a striking new structure - arresting in effect. A periodical of the day enthusiastically described
1386-465: The Hunter/Bligh Street corner is an intact and handsomely detailed expression of late 1930s commercial interior design. Scagliola walls, brass handrails and bronze fixtures as well as original indirect lighting fixtures demonstrate the craftsmanship and integrity of the overall building design. Main lift foyers survive largely intact on all building levels. The ground floor main business chamber
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#17328736323891452-510: The QBE Building in Pitt Street , Sydney and Lennon's Hotel, Brisbane . During the last fifty years a number of alterations and additions have occurred to the building. Most of the changes have not significantly affected the integrity of the original design. Sodersteen himself was responsible for the initial alterations. The first occurred to the sub-basement level. Here, Sodersteen designed
1518-402: The Society and designed the mezzanine level which was constructed in 1946/7. Rowe was formally from the firm of Ross and Rowe, a prominent architectural firm in Sydney, and one of the firms in which Sodersteen received his early architectural training. It seems clear that Sodersteen would have objected to the mezzanine addition for a number of reasons. Aesthetically, it interrupts the integrity of
1584-419: The Society's new head office building. G. A. Mansfield's design for a four-storey Victorian Second Empire style building with mansard roof was chosen. The main entrance was at the corner of Hunter and Bligh Streets with retain areas contained on ground level facing Hunter Street. This building occupied the site until 1934 when the Society decided to expand and modernise its accommodation. Prior to this decision
1650-558: The Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is one of the main congregation points for Sydney New Year's Eve . Circular Quay is also the home of Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art and the City of Sydney Library in the heritage-listed Customs House . Sydney Writers Walk – a series of plaques commemorating writers with some connection to Sydney – was installed in the footpath along Circular Quay in 1991. In autumn 2006,
1716-418: The Sydney Opera House is undergoing its largest renewal project since its opening. Circular Quay is a major Sydney transport hub, with a large ferry , rail and bus interchange. The Cahill Expressway is a prominent feature of the quay, running from the east, over the elevated railway station to join the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the west. International ships have docked and moored at Circular Quay since
1782-531: The best intact examples of Art Deco style applied to a commercial office building in Sydney CBD. The steel framed concrete encased structure is clad externally in polished red granite to first floor level. The entrances are finished in polished black granite with sculptured relief panels finished in copper (over plaster). The second floor level to eleventh floor level are finished in Hawkesbury sandstone . Internally,
1848-482: The building adjacent to the site (in Bligh Street) had been purchased. Once again, City Mutual sought to obtain ideas from a number of architects and offered a prize for the best design of the new office block. Eleven designs were submitted and the prize was duly awarded. The Board of Directors, however, preferred Emil Sodersteen 's design. This had been withdrawn by the architect prior to the final decision. Sodersteen
1914-476: The building and serves as a major landmark to the Richard Johnson Square and the Bligh and Hunter Streetscapes. Materials and detailing at lower elevations are oriented to the scale and perceptions of pedestrians. Such detailing includes the glossy granite building base at street level, bronze window sashes and sculptures (by Rayner Hoff ) over the main entrances. The lift foyer to the main entrance at
1980-490: The chamber space and the clarity of the design intent. Professionally, it would seem unfair that a former mentor would alter Sodersteen's design with the knowledge of his displeasure. Various other changes have occurred over the years, mainly in the office levels. During the 1960s the original floor and wall linings were either been replaced or covered with new materials. Originally the City Mutual Society occupied only
2046-484: The construction of Circular Quay, the eastern side of the cove was used as a quarry and housed construction works. After the governor's residence was moved up the hill to the present Government House in the 1840s and 1850s, Macquarie Street was extended north through the Governor's Domain to Fort Macquarie . This led to the development of the area between the street and the shore into a commercial working wharf dominated by
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2112-426: The corridors retain all of their original detailing. The other levels have had the wall and/or floor lining materials replaced or concealed. The original detailing - scagliola wall panels, timber joinery, highlight fixed glazed windows with expanded metal mesh ventilation slots, timber doors (some with original black outlined gold lettering) - where retained is in good condition and has been well maintained. On most of
2178-406: The culmination of Sodersteen's Art Deco work. It combined the architect's sophisticated personal vision with his interpretation of the skyscraper to produce one of the finest of Sydney's modern office buildings. Exterior elevations with their powerful verticality and articulation announced a major commercial building that maximised the site's height and site coverage potential. The building expressed
2244-510: The earliest years of the colony. The Overseas Passenger Terminal is a major piece of Sydney transport infrastructure serving cruise ships and ocean liners and their passengers. Circular Quay railway station is the only station on the City Circle that is above ground. The platform looks out over the ferry terminus, providing views of Sydney Harbour, including the bridge and Opera House. The wharf complex hosts five commuter ferry wharves and
2310-423: The early 19th century, the entire eastern shore of Circular Quay was part of the Governor's Domain , though some commercial activity developed along the shoreline. The western shore, being adjacent to the original settlement now known as The Rocks , was busier. Cadman's Cottage is a building which survives from that era, built in 1816 for the use of the governmental coxswains and their crews, it marks approximately
2376-470: The eastern corner of Hunter and Bligh Streets since 1891. On 16 February 1891, part of the present corner site was purchased by the Society for £ 22,000. The site had approximately equal frontage to both street. At the time of acquisition the site was occupied by a plumber's shop at the corner of the two streets, along with several other buildings dating to the middle of the nineteenth century. Five leading Sydney architects were invited to submit designs for
2442-478: The facades to Hunter and Bligh Streets is indicative of good quality materials and workmanship. The facades in general have survived relatively intact and in good order. Minor changes externally include the addition of two "City Mutual" signs and the removal of certain minor fittings near the Bligh Street entrance. Alterations and additions to the eleventh floor level during the late 1940s and 1950s does not impose on
2508-426: The garden was soon removed. In 1956 C. C. Ruwald and Howard, Architects, designed extensions to the eleventh level that virtually formed another floor. At street level, however, this addition is not prominent and does not interrupt the integrity of the design. In 1946 the Society approached Sodersteen to design a mezzanine level within the three storey Assurance chamber. Preliminary research indicates that Sodersteen
2574-668: The ground floor level walls the scagliola has been retained but is cracking severely and is drummy in many places. Original timber veneer panelling to boardroom on second floor level, doctor's surgery on first floor level and some executive offices has been retained and is in good condition. Most office areas have been refurbished and little original detailing remains. The ceilings are generally in good condition. Most appear to have been recently painted. Original form and detailing, however, appears to have been retained in lift lobbies and corridor spaces. Office areas have had suspended ceilings installed on many levels. In ground floor level lobbies
2640-533: The ground, first and second floor levels and leased the remaining space in the building, but later occupied most of the building including the car park and former Picwick Club, which were used for the benefit of staff. City Mutual occupied the building until the 1990s, at which time the building was converted to strata title and sold to various businesses. The design has a strongly modelled facade to Hunter and Bligh Streets with tower element at corner. Central three storey business chamber entered at ground level. One of
2706-424: The integrity of the facades when viewed from street level. Internally, certain incremental changes have occurred over the last forty years. These include: No major cracking of the facades or internal walls has been observed and no other indications are apparent to suggest major foundation movement, structural damage or deterioration. The building generally appears to be in good condition. The sandstone facing of
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2772-586: The largest open-air art exhibition ever in Australia took place on Circular Quay: Over 7 weeks the Berlin Buddy Bears visited Sydney. Each bear represented a member-country of the United Nations , symbolizing the universal principles of peace, freedom and friendship. The Quay is mentioned in the classic song " And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda " (1971) by Eric Bogle . "Circular Quay"
2838-405: The light well, the windows are steel-framed central pivoting awning sash with fixed glazed panels above and below sash window . Frosted wired glazing to windows. The roof comprises seam and batten copper sheeting, falling to eaves gutters at light well and box gutters to parapets along street facades. The overall lack of significant deterioration in most of the materials and detailing to
2904-434: The location of Circular Quay's natural western shore, prior to reconstruction. The Commissariat Stores (built in 1809) and Australia's first naval dock were also located on the western shore. The naval dockyard was expanded in 1818–1822 under Governor Macquarie , with four repairing docks. Circular Quay was constructed in 1837–1844 by reconstructing the southern section of Sydney Cove with an artificial shoreline. The mouth of
2970-413: The northern edge of the Sydney central business district on Sydney Cove , between Bennelong Point and The Rocks . It is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney . The Circular Quay area is a popular neighbourhood for tourism and consists of walkways, pedestrian malls, parks and restaurants. It hosts a number of ferry wharves, bus stops, and a railway station. Often referred to as
3036-410: The old Sydney Railway station to Circular Quay along Pitt Street in 1861 allowing easy transfer to ferries. Trams operated from Central station down Castlereagh Street to Circular Quay and back up Pitt Street in a large anti-clockwise loop. For many years, 27 regular services operated from Circular Quay. From 1936, the appearance of Circular Quay was dramatically changed with the construction of
3102-436: The original marble floors are in good condition. Original floor to Assurance chamber may still be in place under carpet. Lift lobbies and corridors on first floor level and above originally had black and white rubber flooring. In many cases this still remains but has been well worn. Many areas have been carpeted and extent of original flooring is unknown at this stage. The original air conditioning and ventilation equipment
3168-456: The overall ambiance of the space. Other major interior spaces that reinforce the total building design include the secondary lift foyers on the ground, first and second floors, and the second floor Board Room. The City Mutual Life Assurance Building was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article was originally based on City Mutual Life Assurance Building , entry number 585 in
3234-500: The people of Sydney. The site of the old Norwich Chambers on the corner of Bligh Street was once occupied by a dentist named Smythe and later was the office of the solicitor William Barker. It was built in 1886 and demolished in 1922. The heritage-listed office building Perpetual Trustee Company Building at 33–39 Hunter Street is the only example of Edwardian architecture on Hunter Street. Originally two-way throughout, in February 1987
3300-500: The replacement of wool stores with modernist commercial buildings. The Sydney height limit was increased from 46 to 279 metres (150 to 915 ft) in 1959, and a number of Sydney's first skyscrapers were built around Circular Quay. The AMP Building on the southern shore was Sydney's tallest building when completed in 1962. In 1973, the Sydney Opera House was completed at the northeastern end of Sydney Cove. Between 1971 and 1989, Colonial Mutual Life acquired land along Circular Quay for
3366-576: The roof, the copper sheeting appears to be in good condition. No sighs of active water penetration observed on eleventh level. On roof of tower section signs of water penetration were evident on concrete surrounds to timber service access hatch. Accompanying drawings show extent of original wall and floor lining still existing in building. Most lift lobbies have retained original scagliola panels in good condition as well as floor numbers, lift indicators and terrazzo skirtings . Stairwells also are, in most cases, in original condition. Only on three levels do
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#17328736323893432-429: The spirit of the age by the use of latest technology (at that time) and materials: glossy polished surfaces, precise metal detailing and rich colour contrasts. Sodersteen's design for the new City Mutual Building incorporated a steel framed structure clad externally in polished granite and sandstone. It extended for two basement levels, ground level and ten upper floors with some accommodation at roof level. Air conditioning
3498-586: The structure's impact upon passers by: "It is not an exaggeration to say that the whole of Sydney is talking about the new City Mutual Building. Every building has its group of admirers and commentators, particularly when the dogman is nonchalantly performing his daily round; but the City Mutual has caused more than casual interest. People passing in the trams lean forward to gaze upon it, while those walking up Hunter Street stop to admire its streamline symmetry." The City Mutual Building has generally been regarded as
3564-1010: The walls appears to be in good condition in most cases. Some surface exfoliation in evident in areas of excessive exposure to rainfall (such as parapets , sills, projecting mouldings, etc.). Caulking between sandstone units appears to be deteriorating in many section. Polished granite facing the base of building is in good condition although some holes need to be filled in and sealed. Light court walls show signs of deterioration. Glazed surfaces are crazed and generally affected by atmospheric pollutants. The bronze-framed windows to ground and first floor levels appear to be in good condition. All windows above first floor level are steel framed and most are in poor condition. Steel members are rusting, making movement of sashes difficult. Some glazed panels have cracked due to differential movements within steel frames. Insect screens on louvre windows to toilets have rusted completely. Rusting of some light court window frames has caused cracking of surrounding concrete. On
3630-436: The walls were originally rendered and clad in scagliola or lined with timber veneer panels. The Foundation is excavated to good quality white sandstone base, the steel structure rests on reinforced concrete pad footings. The windows, to ground and first floor levels, are bronze-framed, with fixed, clear glazing. To the upper levels, the windows are steel-framed casement sash, double glazed at second floor level; clear glazing. To
3696-487: The wool trade, while the eastern side of the street remained part of the Domain. This part of Macquarie Street became known as the "wool store" end. Wool and bond stores and warehouses appeared on the site. The historic "Moore Steps" was built in 1868 as a passage between two wool stores, leading from the shore to Macquarie Street. By the 1860s, all three sides of Circular Quay were dominated by wharves and warehouses. However, by
3762-527: Was approached and was subsequently appointed as architect. Sodersteen had commenced private practice in 1925 and had established a name for himself after winning a design competition for the Australian War Memorial in Canberra in 1927. He and another architect, John Crust, collaborated on its final design which was completed in 1928. Sodersteen's design for the new City Mutual Building was styled after
3828-474: Was built on the southern shore in 1879. From the 1890s, ferry terminals came to dominate the harbour, and Circular Quay became the hub of the Sydney ferry network. The Sydney Harbour Trust was formed in 1900. Circular Quay was also a tram hub. It was the focal terminal point of most electric tram services to the Eastern Suburbs . The first tram to operate through Circular Quay was horse-drawn, running from
3894-533: Was constructed further north in 1940, and is today the Museum of Contemporary Art . Further north, the Sydney Cove Passenger Terminal was built in 1958–1960 to accommodate the increasing number of passengers arriving by ship. The building was renovated in 1988, 2000 and 2014. Large liners and cruise ships often dock here, their size dominating the cove. East Circular Quay was redeveloped from the 1950s with
3960-472: Was erected on the east side of the cove, while the western shore became the centre of the early settlement. It was the focal point from which the city of Sydney grew. The first wharf on the shore of Sydney Cove probably dated from around 1792. In 1802 it was replaced with a timber-framed wharf called "Hospital Wharf", the first public wharf of the colony (later renamed King's Wharf and Queen's Wharf). Late 18th-century Scottish constitutional reformer Thomas Muir
4026-615: Was found that the Aboriginals used charcoal , stone tools and possibly ancient campfires. Near Penrith , a far western suburb of Sydney, numerous Aboriginal stone tools were found in Cranebrook Terraces gravel sediments having dates of 45,000 to 50,000 years BP. Prior to the arrival of the British there were 4,000 to 8,000 native people in the Sydney area from as many as 29 different clans. Sydney Cove from Port Jackson to Petersham
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#17328736323894092-400: Was incorporated into the design the building was one of the first in Sydney to provide this amenity. Externally the building emphasises the corner of Bligh and hunter Streets, through the verticality of the tower element. Polished black granite at the base of the main entrance is strongly modelled with few embellishments. Internally the design centres upon the three storey Assurance chamber which
4158-482: Was inhabited by the Cadigal clan. The principal language groups were Darug , Guringai , and Dharawal . The earliest Europeans to visit the area noted that the indigenous people were conducting activities such as camping and fishing, using trees for bark and food, collecting shells, and cooking fish. The Eora are the coastal Aboriginals of the Sydney district. The name Eora simply means "here" or "from this place", and
4224-473: Was most displeased with the idea and refused to design the mezzanine. Also around this time Sodersteen instigated a lawsuit against the Society regarding the payment of fees for a Pitt Street building design project which had been cancelled. Although Sodersteen eventually won the case, the ill feelings generated by the affair meant that he ceased to be the architect for the Society. H. Ruskin Rowe became architect for
4290-450: Was sentenced to transportation to Sydney for sedition, and had a cottage on what is now Circular Quay. Thomas Muir escaped from the colony in 1796 aboard an American brig, the Otter . The eastern side of the cove remained largely uninhabited in the early years of the colony; one notable inhabitant was Bennelong , after whom the adjacent Bennelong Point and Bennelong Apartments are named. In
4356-529: Was used by local Aboriginals to describe to the British where they came from. The Cadigal band are the traditional inhabitants of the Sydney CBD area, and their territory south of Port Jackson stretched from South Head to Petersham. Sydney Cove , on which Circular Quay is located, was the site of the initial landing of the First Fleet in Port Jackson on 26 January 1788. The governor's temporary canvas house
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