| Public Trust Office | |
|---|---|
 The Public Trust Office, 19–21 O'Connell Street, Sydney, New South Wales | |
| Location | 19–21 O'Connell Street, Sydney, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°51′54″S151°12′33″E / 33.8651°S 151.2093°E /-33.8651; 151.2093 |
| Built | 1926– |
| Architect | Ross & Rowe |
| Official name | Public Trust Office; Rofe Chambers; Public Trustee |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1019 |
| Type | Office building |
| Category | Government and Administration |
  Location of Public Trust Office in Sydney | |
ThePublic Trust Office is a heritage-listed office building at 19–21 O'Connell Street,Sydney, Australia. It was designed by Ross & Rowe and built from 1926. It is also known as thePublic Trustee. It was originally known asRofe Chambers. It was added to theNew South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[1][2]
The Public Trust Office, first known as "Rofe Chambers", was designed in 1924 by M. E. Ross & Rowe for the law firm Alfred Rofe & Sons. It originally housed a branch of theAustralian Bank of Commerce Insurance Brokers' offices on the ground floor. Above were offices for professionals includingengineers andaccountants. The basement was used as a staff dining room. Alterations, generally by the original architects, were carried out on floors five, six and seven between 1926 and 1931.[1][2]
In 1941, there was an urgent need to find new office accommodation for the Public Trustee, and Rofe Chambers was acquired by the state government for the purpose. The Public Trust Building was officially opened by the premier,William McKell on 2 March 1942. The total cost of acquisition, alterations, and fitouts of the new offices, as certified by the Public Works Department in 1946, was 125,764/15/3 pounds.[1][2]
There are no major changes recorded for the period 1940s–1950s. In 1967 alterations were carried out to the ground floor. In 1971, the building underwent major refurbishment which substantially removed the original interiors and left only the facade of the building intact. Further internal refurbishment was carried out in 1989.[1][2]
The Public Trust Building is of the inter-war free classical style. The building consists of eight storeys above a basement level. Thesandstone facade fronting O'Connell Street is symmetrical, with three round arches of two-storey high (ground and first floors), and unconventional order of architecture with attenuatedpilasters spanning between the third and seventh floors.[3] The second and seventh floor levels each consists of threebays of windows. Theparapet is enriched with classical stonecornices and decorative embellishments. The inter-war period of this classical building is emphasised by its large metal framed windows andspandrel panels.[1][2]
Initially the building has been substantially refurbished in the early 1970s and in the late 1980s, with modern office interiors consisting of plasterboard stud wall and suspended ceilings with glazed partitions predominate. The entry foyer features travertine marble cladding.[1][2]
The building is associated with the historical development of the Public Trustee in NSW. It is of social significance because of its association with the management of estates of deceased persons. It is the first office building purchased especially to accommodate the Public Trustee and is still being used as Head Office of the organisation. The building facade contributes to the streetscape character established by former Bank of New South Wales building on the corner of Hunter and Pitt Streets. It is an example of the inter-war free classical style of architecture designed by the well known architects Ross & Rowe.[1]
Public Trust Office was listed on theNew South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.[1]
It is of social significance because of its association with the management of estates of deceased persons. It is the first office building purchased especially to accommodate the Public Trustee and is still being used as head office of the organisation.[1]
Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) underCC BY 4.0licence.
Media related toPublic Trust Office building, Sydney at Wikimedia Commons
This Wikipedia article was originally based onPublic Trust Office, entry number 1019 in theNew South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 underCC-BY 4.0licence, accessed on 13 October 2018. This Wikipedia article was originally based onFormer "Rofe Chambers" Including Interiors, entry number 2423720 in theNew South Wales Heritage Database published by the State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018 underCC-BY 4.0licence, accessed on 20 August 2018.| International | |
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