, looking north, pictured at night in 1985. The
Overseas Passenger Terminal is pictured at right. • As at 30 March 2011, ASN Co Building and site are of State heritage significance for their aesthetic, historical and scientific cultural values. The site and building are also of State heritage significance for their contribution to
The Rocks area which is of State Heritage significance in its own right.
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The architectural style is a rare intact example of the Pre-Federation Anglo Dutch style. Wardell allowed the site shape to partially dominate his design, which is an excellent example of his style. Each bay was a different length, stepping down the site. Although there were other buildings of similar style that existed in Sydney, none of them incorporate such picturesque facades with this type of layout nor do they mix office and warehouse design together. When it was completed it was one of the most prominent buildings in Sydney, and remains an extremely prominent landmark, being visible from Port Jackson and the North Shore and being part of an important vista from Circular Quay to Campbells Cove and beyond. It was one of the last substantial warehouses with a timber structural system built in Sydney, from 1885 cast iron columns were used instead of timber. The architectural style of the building is a rare intact example of the late 19th century Anglo-Dutch style. It is a very rare and fine Victorian example of an office and warehouse development in Sydney. The combination of office and warehouse, each exhibiting the same architectural style to varying degrees, forms a pleasant whole. The importance of steam shipping to the colony's economy is strongly reflected through the high architectural style and the prominent waterfront location of the building. The vista and streetscape inspired by the ASN Co Building is one of great interest and variety. When the building was first built, in 1885, it was one of the most prominent buildings in Sydney, due to its size, location on the Quay, and its architectural style, particularly the clock tower. Today, the building remains a prominent landmark in the panorama of Sydney Cove. It forms part of an important vista from Circular Quay to Campbell's Cove and beyond. The construction method of the building is possibly the earliest example of the use in Sydney of the steam cranes imported from England, which transported materials on site. The building includes highly significant remnants of one of Sydney's first fire sprinkler installations. Their continued use indicates the soundness of the original design. The integration with successive 1929, 1949/50s and 1970s components represents the evolution of sprinklers.
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. The building is significant as a Landmark building, from its original construction to the present day in Sydney. It holds significance in its associations with The Rocks, Campbell Cove and Circular Quay and is part of a historical precinct that includes Cadmans Cottage, Mission to Seaman Chapel and the Sailors Home which together strongly illustrate this former maritime neighbourhood. It contributes strongly to the character of The Rocks and is an area that is well visited by residents and tourists. Its inclusion on the registers of the National Trust and the National Estate demonstrate the esteem the building is held in by the broader community.
The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The easily comprehended structural system is an outstanding example of typical commercial building construction in New South Wales from the mid- nineteenth century onwards. The next structural development was the introduction of internal cast iron columns from about 1885 onwards. The building has research and scientific potential in the information that its fabric displays and retains, including the very early sprinkler system. It is a benchmark building form capable of providing information about the special relationship between its design and function, being a very rare example of a mix of office and warehouse.
The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The column-to-beam connections of the structural frame, which represent an elegant marriage of timber and cast iron building technique, is an unusual, but efficient-looking method, which does not seem to exist elsewhere in Sydney. The architectural style of the building is a rare intact example of the late 19th century Anglo-Dutch style. It is a very rare and fine Victorian example of and office and warehouse development in Sydney. It is a very rare and fine Victorian example of an office and warehouse development in Sydney. The architectural style is a rare intact example of the Pre-Federation Anglo Dutch style. The construction method of the building is possibly the earliest surviving example of the use in Sydney of steam cranes imported from England. It is possible that the sprinkler system is a rare surviving example, with cast iron pipework and 1929 sprinkler heads still intact. The remaining early sprinkler pipework is probably part of the original sprinkler system, possibly being installed when the water tower was constructed between 1892 and 1894.
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. ASN Co Building is one of the last substantial warehouses with timber structural system built in Sydney. The joinery detailing in the office building is a fine example of Victorian detailing and the staircase is an early example of this style of architecture. ==See also==