| Culwulla Chambers | |
|---|---|
 Culwulla Chambers with the J.P. Morgan Building and Centre Point Tower in the background. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial |
| Architectural style | Chicago-style |
| Address | 67 Castlereagh Street |
| Town or city | Sydney |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°52′09″S 151°12′33″E / 33.86917°S 151.20917°E / -33.86917; 151.20917 |
| Completed | 1912 |
| Opened | 1 April 1985 (As a legal firm) |
| Height | 50.25 metres |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 14 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Spain, Cosh and Minnett |
The Culwulla Chambers is a heritage listed building located at 67 Castlereagh Street in Sydney, Australia. Its situated in the Central Business District of Sydney. The building is colloquially named as Sydney's first skyscraper, though it is of masonry construction rather than steel frame typically associated with the term. Upon construction it became Australia's tallest habitable building to roof, exceeding the height of Melbourne's Australian Building by a few metres (though that building's architectural spire remained another 2 metres taller).
The building was designed by Spain, Cosh and Minnett and built by R. Wall & Sons and was completed in 1912 as an office building with ground floor retail. The design is an Federation Freestyle Palazzo and original plans are held by the Institute of Architects New South Wales.
Upon its completion, it became the focal point for debate in Sydney regarding restrictions on building height. This led ultimately to law being passed placing a moratorium on constructing new buildings taller than 150 feet. This height restriction was subsequently removed in 1955.
The building is for commercial purposes. Historically, it was primarily an office space, but currently it serves as a business space for numerous companies as well as professionals, mainly lawyers. There are 20 barristers operating in Culwulla Chambers practicing in a variety of jurisdictions.
References
- "Sydney's first skyscraper | State Library of New South Wales". www2.sl.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- Federated Builders' Association of Australia.; Master Builders' Federation of Australia. (1907), "72 v. : ill. ; 25 cm.", Building : the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant., , nla.obj-300842446, retrieved 11 April 2024 – via Trove
- Art and architecture : the journal of the Institute of Architects of New South Wales., v.8, no.6, 1911-11-01, p.10 (ISSN: 1833-2722)
- "A Report on Oceania" (PDF).