Preserving history

A key focus for the 1 Elizabeth's precinct's development was the acknowledgement and recognition of the area’s urban history, including buildings that were demolished in 2019 – such as 55 Hunter Street and 5, 7 and 9-19 Elizabeth Street.

On the site of 5 Elizabeth Street, the first public demonstration of wireless communication took place on 13 August 1919 by Edward Fisk. Fisk played a gramophone recording of the national anthem at the Amalgamated Wireless Office at 97 Clarence Street, which was relayed to 5 Elizabeth Street. A plaque commemorates this event, which is installed near where the demonstration took place.

7 Elizabeth Street existed as an apartment block, designed by architect Emil Sodersten and refurbished by one of Australia’s most successful female interior designers, Marion Hall Best, in 1939-1940.

Prior to its demolition in 2019, 9-19 Elizabeth Street stood next to 50 Martin Place, and in the 1960s was connected on five floors through 50 Martin Place’s north-east stairwell.

After purchasing both buildings in 2012, Macquarie Group used 9-19 Elizabeth Street to house amenities including fitness and change room facilities, spaces for parents and a music room largely used for choir rehearsals. Facilities available to the community included a dedicated co-working space for not-for-profits, and a public gallery space exhibiting the Macquarie Group Collection. Finally, the rooftop of the building provided a modern-day urban farm, hosting employee gardening groups who cared for and harvested the edible plants, two beehives and even three rescue chickens.

55 Hunter Street was home to Australia’s head office of P&O - Orient Lines. A number of art works were salvaged from the site and have been restored and put on display reinstated in 1 Elizabeth Street – including Tom Bass’s Wall Fountain, and two artworks by Douglas Annand: Ceramic Mural and Four Continents.

Flats, No. 7 Elizabeth Street, and neighbouring buildings, c1940. Hood Collection, State Library NSW, PXE 789 (v.10).

Isometric designs of apartments at 7 Elizabeth Street by Marion Hall Best, from: Luxury flats for moderate incomes: Seven Elizabeth Street, Sydney, c1939. Caroline Simpson Library, Museums of History NSW.

Image of the entrance of Space Gallery on 9-19 Elizabeth Street

The Space Gallery on 9-19 Elizabeth Street

Close-up of chicken in a garden on the 9-19 Elizabeth Street rooftop

Rescue chickens on the 9-19 Elizabeth Street rooftop.

Tom Bass' P&O Fountain, installed in Hunter Street

Tom Bass’ Fountain, installed on Hunter Street. Wikimedia commons, Whiteghost.ink.

Image of Four Continents artwork, outside of 55 Hunter Street

Four Continents, 1963, Douglas Annand (1903 – 1976). Commissioned for the P&O Building at 55 Hunter Street. Photo: Rusty Goat Media.

Ceramic Wall Mural in the lobby of 55 Hunter Street

Ceramic Wall Mural, 1963, Douglas Annand (1903 – 1976). Commissioned for the P&O Building at 55 Hunter Street. Photo: Rusty Goat Media.

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Preserving history

Martin Place pre-colonial and local Indigenous history

50 Martin Place

Cultural Design Principles

Marion Hall Best