Surely, you’ve noticed the unique blend of architectural styles before you at International House. It stands as a testament to Sydney’s dynamic growth in the early 20th century. International House is a heritage-listed commercial building. It is located at 14-16 York Street in Sydney’s central business district.
Now known as International House, it was designed by Robertson and Marks. Howie, Brown and Moffat built it in 1913. For a time, it was also known as Pomeroy House. The New South Wales State Heritage Register added it on 2 April 1999.
Let’s take a quick look at its history. The land was initially granted to T D Rowe in 1837. It sat next to military barracks. These barracks hindered commercial development until 1847. Once the new Paddington barracks were ready the old ones were demolished between 1850 and 1853. Then, the land was sold.
By this time Peter William Plomer owned the International House site. It was described as a two or three-story stone and slate building. It was either a store or a warehouse.
Jeremiah Brice Rundle acquired the site in the 1870s. Rundle was a squatter a merchant and a businessman. By 1867 he had over 300000 hectares in Queensland and New South Wales. In 1881 he joined the Legislative Council of NSW. He also directed the Australian Joint Stock Bank. Rundle was a leading businessman in the city’s rapid progress.
Rundle died in 1893. His estate managed by the Permanent Trustee Company erected a warehouse in his honor. They named it Pomeroy House. Robertson and Marks applied to build on the corner of York and Barrack Streets in 1913. Howie and Moffat Master Builders constructed Pomeroy House. It was designed in the Federation Free Classical style. This style expressed the city’s dynamic growth.
When Pomeroy House first appeared in the Sands Directories in 1916 warehousemen tenanted the second and third floors. By 1917 a millinery manufacturer occupied the first floor. Warehousemen remained on the second and third floors. The Department of Home Affairs Accounts Branch and Commonwealth Electoral Office were on the fourth and seventh floors. An export company was on the eighth floor. In 1918 it was described as a warehouse of 10 rooms. By 1922 a wine and spirit merchant company rented the basement. The building accommodated forty different offices by the 1930s.
In 1931 an external steel fire escape was added. In 1942 the National Cash Register Pty Ltd purchased the property. They used only two levels. Other floors were leased as showroom office or warehouse spaces. A survey estimated 60 to 100 people worked there. In the 1960s alterations occurred on the ground first and seventh floors. By this time it was generally called International House.
A mechanical ventilation system was installed in 1959. In 1968 computer rooms were built. The building was largely empty from 1975. The National Cash Register moved out. The property was sold to its present owner in 1978.
Extensive renovations occurred from 1979 to 1981. These included modernisation of all floors. An air conditioning system and false ceiling were installed. The two existing lifts were replaced. A kiosk was formed in the former loading dock. The basement became a restaurant. The ground and first floors were adapted for banking operations. New aluminium and glass shopfronts replaced existing windows and masonry. The lift lobby was refurbished in 1988. The canvas canopy was replaced with a steel-framed awning in 1990.
Notice the Federation Free Classical style. Robertson and Marks used motifs from different countries and periods. The Italian palazzo facade combines with a French mansard roof.
The street facades have three parts. There is a strong two-story base of sandstone and banded brickwork. Then, there are comparatively simple repetitive office floors. Finally, there is the projecting cornice. Both facades end in a higher pedimented tower. The middle bays have arched sandstone voussoir and sills.
There are three entrances. One is a pedimented one-story entrance on the corner. The other two are double-height semicircular entries.
Internal alterations gradually compromised the ground floor facade. The sandstone arch of the basement entrance was lost in the 1980 renovation. New infill glazing modified the two-story base.
As you can see International House remains a significant part of York Street’s heritage. It stands as an example of commercial architecture. It contributes to the streetscape’s character. Its history reflects Sydney’s commercial evolution.