Public Trust Office

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″S 151°12′33″E / 33.8651°S 151.2093°E / -33.8651; 151.2093
Built	1926–
Architect	Ross & Rowe
New South Wales Heritage Register
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

The Public 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 the Public Trustee. It was originally known as Rofe Chambers. It was added to the New 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 the Australian Bank of Commerce Insurance Brokers' offices on the ground floor. Above were offices for professionals including engineers and accountants. 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. The sandstone 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 attenuated pilasters spanning between the third and seventh floors.^[3] The second and seventh floor levels each consists of three bays of windows. The parapet is enriched with classical stone cornices and decorative embellishments. The inter-war period of this classical building is emphasised by its large metal framed windows and spandrel 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 the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

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]

• Australian non-residential architectural styles

Media related to Public Trust Office building, Sydney at Wikimedia Commons

• State Projects Heritage Group (1996). Public Trustee NSW Section 170 Register.
• State Projects Heritage Group (1996). Public Trustee NSW Section 170 Register.

• This Wikipedia article was originally based on Public Trust Office, entry number 1019 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 13 October 2018.
• This Wikipedia article was originally based on Former "Rofe Chambers" Including Interiors, entry number 2423720 in the New South Wales Heritage Database published by the State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 20 August 2018.