MARCUS CLARK BUILDING ARCHITECTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Description

Laminated reproduction of architectural perspective (in colour) of the Marcus Clark Building, Railway Square, Sydney. Dimensions: 63 x 60.5 cms. Architects: Spain & Cosh. Perspective drawing reproduced by Messrs. Hartland & Hyde. Text at base of reproduction reads: "New premises for Messrs. Marcus Clark & Co. Ltd. / Central Square, Sydney". Related to TA1340b & TA1340c.

Links to resources

Probable Date

Circa 1928

Statement of Significance

Marcus Clark & Co. was a Sydney based retailer, a "Universal Provider" with a network of branches in Sydney suburbs & towns throughout NSW. It had small beginnings in Newtown, NSW in 1883 & traded until 1965. From 1896, Marcus Clark had a retail presence in Central Square which was Sydney's major rail transport hub due to its proximity to Central Station. Its stores included Bon Marche at the corner of Harris and George Streets (the premises were extended in 1909), & the Marcus Clark emporium designed by James Nangle at corner of George and Pitt Streets (1906).
In 1913, Marcus Clark opened another store in Central Square in close proximity to the present Marcus Clark building. This 9 storey structure was the retailer's furniture & home furnishings outlet. It was designed by the Sydney architects Alfred Spain & Thomas Cosh who qualified as architects at Sydney Technical College. Spain & Cosh also designed the 1928 extension to these premises which featured the landmark Federation Free Classical style facade. The design for the retailer's city headquarters included a basement, ground floor, eight upper floors, a roof garden & a clock tower with the company motto. "Bound to rise".
Marcus Clark ceased trading in 1965. Sydney Technical College acquired the building in 1966 for classroom and administrative use.
Sources: [All websites accessed on 1 November, 2013].
http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/marcus_clark_and_co ; Peter Spearritt, 'Spain, Alfred (1868–1954)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/spain-alfred-8594/text15007 ; 'Cosh, Thomas Frame (1869–1947)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/cosh-thomas-frame-14009/text24938 ;
Ken Maher/Schwager Brooks & Partners Pty. Ltd. Architects (1990) Sydney Technical College heritage analysis draft final report. Schwager Brooks?, Sydney. pp. 77-78, Heritage Assessment Building Data sheet : Building W : Marcus Clark building.

Item type

ArtWork

Object Number

TA1479

Object Home Location

Prop drawer 6 Library

College

Ultimo

Details