Ever wondered about the hidden history of a building? Right here before us stands the McKay Road Watertower. It wasn’t always a watertower though. This remarkable structure began its life as McMurtrie’s shoe factory. Built in stages starting around 1903 it was primarily constructed from ironbark timber and brick.
McMurtrie’s expanded the factory during the 1920s. They supplied boots to the Australian Army during both World Wars. Imagine the clatter of machinery the rhythmic tapping of shoemakers’ hammers. The factory thrived until the late 1960s when cheaper imports led to its closure.
The building stood derelict for years. Then in the late 1970s architect Peter Mulroney saw its potential. He transformed the old factory into one of Sydney’s first warehouse apartment conversions. This was a challenging project. It faced difficulties in gaining approval and industrial disputes.
Despite these setbacks Mulroney preserved the building’s industrial heritage. The high ceilings the massive hardwood columns and rafters remain. The huge window spaces flood the apartments with light. The old delivery courtyard became a swimming pool and tropical garden. Each apartment is unique a testament to Mulroney’s vision.
Clover Moore now Lord Mayor of Sydney opened the development in 1984. The first residents moved in the following year. The McKay Road Watertower community has thrived ever since. Some residents have lived there for decades. The northern tower facade which screens the water tank was a later addition. It provided extra water pressure for the factory’s leatherwork. The original brick chimney stack was removed during the conversion.
Today the McKay Road Watertower stands as a symbol of adaptation. It’s a beautiful blend of industrial past and modern living. It showcases how a building’s history can be preserved and repurposed. A testament to vision resilience and the enduring spirit of Sydney’s architecture.