The Old Post Office

1 Queens Place, c.1850

This began as a grocer’s shop which incorporated a Post Office. It provided postal services until 1887 when the present, far grander Post Office opened at the corner of Darling and Montague Streets.

Although it is a simple, utilitarian commercial building like those at the beginning of this walk, it is designed with careful attention to proportion and symmetry. The blind window (unusual in Balmain) above the corner door appears to have been added purely for aesthetic effect. A low parapet adds height to the façade.

Walk along Queens Place past 5-9 Queens Place (c.1850). These cottages are noteworthy because of their use of stone and timber: evidently the builder intended to build a terrace of stone houses (hence the “saw toothed” masonry edge) but abandoned this plan. The project was finished with a pair of tiny timber cottages.