Heritage Assignment, Topic: Customs House, Circular Quay (sydney, Australia) Essay - 1,877 words

Heritage Assignment, Topic: Customs House, Circular Quay (Sydney, Australia) Circular Quays Customs House that is occupied at Sydney, Australia is very well known for its ancient heritage and significance in the whole state history. A former Customs House has been renovated and rebuild and is currently a very nice beauty of the region. In order to identify the heritage significance of the House we may take a closer look into the historical prevalue of the sight. It used to be a formal Customs House that opened the Australian gates to the people that were first settling in the Australia. The refurbishment of Customs House converted one of Sydneys best-loved heritage buildings into an exciting new cultural venue for the city. Located at Circular Quay, Customs House is one of the most significant buildings in the history of European settlement in Australia.


Therefore we can definitely state that this building is one of the most significant buildings in the Australian history in terms of heritage. This can be figured because of the fact that Europeans had a great impact upon the development of the Australian culture and economy throught years. Built in 1845 on the site of the First Fleet landing, the building was home to the Australian Custom Service for 145 years. During those years new people were coming to Australia and the greatest part of them was using the Circular Quay area as the primary gate for the entrance to the territory. Originally two-storeys high, Customs House was designed by Colonial architect Mortimer Lewis in the Greek Revival style. If we look to some pictures representing the building that are currently available in numerous kinds, we may notice the notion that that was a pretty nice architecturally designed building and after all renovations it still is now.


Over the years the building has been subject to several major additions that resulted in changes to Classical Italianate and later French Neoclassical style. (Moorhouse, 59) Concerning the present heritage status of the building we may state that this is the status of the building that has very important historical impact upon the overall historical background of the area. This was possible due to the flow of various kinds of people that were all experiencing the transitional period when they were moving into the Australian territory. We need to notice in this essay some facts about the rebuilding of the building that took place during resent past years. At a cost of $24 million, the City of Sydney transformed Customs House into a major cultural centre. The refurbishment received the Australian Prperty Institute (NSW) 1999 Excellence in Prperty Develpment Award.


(Ross, 112) It invlved: a cmplete transfrmatin f the buildings interir and careful restratin f its exterir within the strict parameters f the buildings Permanent Cnservatin rder; a design that cnserved elements f the buildings varius architectural styles, resulting in an attractive cntrast f the ld and new; the creatin f a unifying central atrium, six streys high, enabling visitrs t appreciate all activities within the building frm all levels and prviding ptimum levels f natural light; and the reinstatement f Custms Square as the frecurt t Custms Huse, with the paving designed t reflect the riginal freshre f Sydney Cve, as it was in 1788 when the First Fleet arrived. (Moorhouse, 126) In order to consider the future of the facility in terms of its heritage and the surrounding facilities we need to mention again the renovation that happened to the building and overall geographical occupation of the place. It has a very positive placement because this is a gate position for the Australian bank. There are many various facilities surrounding the place that correspond to the heritage of the Customs House. Having considered that we may state that we are evaluating a beautifully refurbished heritage building with stunning contemporary architecture and design. The central feature is a glass atrium which rises the full six storeys of the building and is topped with a glass roof. Customs House features a choice of venues suitable for a variety of events including exhibitions, conferences and dinners.


Actually currently the old Sydney Customs House is no longer an official customs house. The building has been refurbished and now houses such establishments as art galleries, a restaurant and a cafe. The building fronts the Circular Quay train station and ferry wharves. (Norris, 74) Talking about the existing places of peoples rest we need to notice that located at Circular Quay, beautifully restored heritage building Customs House has become one of Sydneys leading venues for functions and special events. Home to restaurants, bars, cafes, exhibitions and two specialty stores, Customs House features a choice of venues - from elegant private dining rooms and sandstone balconies to modern galleries and restaurants with breathtaking harbour views. Contemporary interior design featuring a magnificent, light-filled central glass atrium provides a stunning backdrop for any occassion.


(Ross, 68) From the conceptual standpoint I would suggest not changing the current heritage status of the facility due to several reasons. First of all why change something if it currently is doing its job pretty well and people are enjoing it? Second of all some great funds were spend in order to get what we actually got right now. Plans t pen up the elegant ld Custms Huse at Circular Quay have raised the perennial prblem f hw t preserve heritage ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: heritage, customs, sydney, sydney australia, buildings

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