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City of Sydney Fire Station
About the building
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade, the precursor to Fire and Rescue NSW, was established in 1884, forming a professional, coordinated firefighting service. In 1888, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade opened its central fire station on Castlereagh Street. Today, it is the state’s oldest continually operational fire station.
Designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet, the building is a rare intact example of Victorian free classical architecture. It was considered innovative for its time, and included features modelled on London Metropolitan Fire Brigade stations of the day.
The purpose-built station combined firefighters’ accommodation, horse stables, appliances, communications, administration and workshops in one building. Three main engine bays provided direct access to the street, with stables located in the rear courtyard. Harnesses and sway bars were suspended above each horse using a system of weights, allowing the animals to move into the engine bay when an alarm was raised. The watchroom on the ground floor housed the telephone exchange board, fire alarms and electrical apparatus. When the electrical contact was pulled, it rang the bells throughout the building, turned up the gas lamps in the engine bay, released the spring-loaded stable doors and opened the single men’s quarters on the first floor for the firefighters to slide down poles directly into action.
In 1907, the original building was extended along Castlereagh Street in the same architectural style. The new four-storey building was originally used for administrative purposes and accommodation. In 1928, the ground floor was converted into two engine bays for an enlarged fleet of motorised appliances.
While the need for a new and enlarged fire station was identified as early as 1934, the project did not progress. It wasn’t until 2000 that work began, comprising refurbishment, adaptive reuse and new accommodation. It also included the construction of a new building, designed by Clare Design, incorporating purpose-built engine bays and state-of-the-art firefighters’ facilities.
Talks & Tours
Sausage sizzle at City of Sydney Fire Station
Sausage sizzle from 12pm raising funds for the Westmead Hospital Burns Unit.
Time: 12pm
Building info
Built
1888, 1907
Architect
Original architect: James Barnet
Additional architect: Clare Design, 2004
Acknowledgements
The City of Sydney Fire Station’s participation has been made possible by Fire and Rescue NSW.
Find out more about this building here
City of Sydney Fire Station
211–217 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Entry details
Attendees will be able to visit the street level of the fire station including current and heritage vehicles, museum spaces and the former horse stables
10am–5pm
4.45pm
Talks, tours and more
Need to know
Accessible featuresThere is ramp or level (step-free) entry. Assistance animals are welcome
Toilets availableToilets, accessible bathrooms
Photography allowed
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