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SHR Criteria a)
[Historical significance] | The ground on which Kyle House sits is of state significance as the centre of two major commercial empires, Lord’s and McArthur’s, since the eighteenth century. Its site on the eastern bank of the Tank Stream is also significant. Has historic significance at a State level. (City of Sydney Heritage Study)
Kyle House is important as reflecting the site's close association with shipping and merchant trading during the growth of the colony. The area's association with early traders, being close to circular Quay and the Tank Stream, was strengthened by the opening of the Royal Exchange Building in Bridge Street, directly opposite Macquarie Place in 1851. This was to become the meeting place of merchants, bankers, businessmen and shipping agents, an association which was still relevant at the time of the building of Kyle House, and which still remains today.
Kyle House is important as representative of an era of the construction of prestigious office accommodation in Sydney.
(Graham Brooks & Associates , 2000) |
SHR Criteria b)
[Associative significance] | Kyle House is significant as a rare example of the commercial work of the prominent architect C.Bruce Dellit in 1931, who was to become a leading progressive architect in Sydney during this period, however died at a young age. It was the first commercial building designed by Dellit after starting his private practice in 1929. The structure is an example of his technical skills and use of construction materials of the period, reflecting the architect's innovative and progressive methodology.
The site for Kyle House is of state significance as the centre of two major commercial empires, being Simeon Lord's and McArthur's, since the eighteenth century.
(Graham Brooks & Associates , 2000) |
SHR Criteria c)
[Aesthetic significance] | Kyle House is aesthetically significant as an important example of Inter-War Art Deco style emphasising verticality and detail of cladding materials. It represents an early attempt to discard historical stylism and search for architectural forms and decorative elements more relevant to the 20th century. The gigantic scale of the ground floor arch is notable, and found also in Delfin House, the other surviving office building by this architect. The building forms an important part of the streetscape to Macquarie Place. Has aesthetic significance locally. (City of Sydney Heritage Study)
Kyle House is significant as one of the first office buildings constructed in Sydney which broke away from the traditional stylism, in an early attempt to search for architectural forms and decorative elements more relevant to the 20th century. Kyle House reflects the influence of the American skyscraper and the high esteem and commercialism that it symbolised.
Kyle House is significant within the CBD of Sydney, as one of a group of buildings which contributes to the historic townscape character overlooking Macquarie Place, with a diversity of building forms and scales.
(Graham Brooks & Associates , 2000) |
SHR Criteria d)
[Social significance] | Kyle House has continued to serve the community as a place of commercial enterprise since its construction in 1931. It demonstrates, through its consistent nature of tenants, its link with the harbour and commercial activities of this area of the city.
(Graham Brooks & Associates , 2000) |
SHR Criteria e)
[Research potential] | Kyle House is a good example of office building of this era refecting the planning restrictions of the day as regarding height, and employed an early use of the cantilevered structural concrete, demonstrating the potential of this form of material.
The course of the Tank Stream ran along the western border of Kyle House and there may be some archaeological remains of significance under the rear courtyard. The sandstone wall along the northern side of the courtyard has archaeological significance as an early party wall dating from 1866.
(Graham Brooks & Associates , 2000) |
SHR Criteria f)
[Rarity] | Kyle House is significant as a rare example of the commercial work of the architect C. Bruce Dellit in Sydney. It is one of only two office buildings designed by Dellit in private practice.
Kyle House is significant as one of the few remaining examples of Inter-War Art Deco style office buildings within the CBD of Sydney. The building is significant as a good example of a style limited in representation today, the façade of which has generally remained in its original form and configuration since construction in 1931.
The rear courtyard and access way arrangement at Kyle House is significant, for its relative rarity in Sydney today, and as a reflection of the nature of the areas association with the development of shipping and trading from the early 19th century.
(Graham Brooks & Associates , 2000) |
SHR Criteria g)
[Representativeness] | Kyle House is significant as a representative example of office building constructed during an era of construction of prestigious office accommodation in Sydney.
The Kyle House site is significant for its close association with shipping and merchant trading, of which Macquarie Place provided a central focus for trading activities given its close proximity to Circular Quay and the Tank Stream.
Kyle House is significant as a representative example of the building heights that were allowed at the time of city ordinances. It also contributes to the aesthetic quality of the streetscape of Macquarie Place due to its scale and richness of materials and details.
(Graham Brooks & Associates , 2000) |
| Assessment criteria: | Items are assessed against the  State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection. |
