Paddington Reservoir - Paddington - Sydney Water Suppply - New South Wales

 

Paddington Reservoir - Oxford Street - Paddington - New South Wales.

The Paddington Reservoir, also known as the Paddington Reservoir Gardens, is a heritage-listed site located in Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Here's some information about the Paddington Reservoir:

1. History: The Paddington Reservoir was originally constructed in the 1860s as an underground water reservoir to supply water to the growing population of Sydney. It was part of the Sydney's water supply infrastructure, designed by engineer Edward Bell.

2. Architectural Design: The reservoir was designed in a Romanesque Revival architectural style, which was popular during the Victorian era. The structure features a blend of brickwork and iron columns, with arches and vaulted ceilings.

3. Function: The reservoir was in operation until 1899 when it was decommissioned. It then went through several stages of use, including storage, workshops, and a service station. In the 20th century, the site fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned.

4. Transformation into Gardens: In the 1990s, a redevelopment project aimed at transforming the reservoir into a public space was initiated. The site was restored and converted into the Paddington Reservoir Gardens, opening to the public in 2008.

5. Features: The Paddington Reservoir Gardens blend the historic elements of the underground reservoir with modern design. The site incorporates sunken gardens, walkways, seating areas, and reflective pools, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

6. Heritage Significance: The Paddington Reservoir is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register and the Australian National Heritage List. It is recognized for its historical and architectural importance, as well as its contribution to the local community and the city's heritage.

7. Events and Activities: The Paddington Reservoir Gardens are a popular venue for various cultural events, art installations, and community activities. It also serves as a tranquil oasis for locals and visitors seeking respite from the bustling city.

The Paddington Reservoir stands as a testament to the historical water infrastructure of Sydney and has been successfully repurposed as a unique urban park. Its blend of historic and contemporary design elements, along with its peaceful ambiance, makes it a notable attraction in Paddington.

Reservoir Street – Surry Hills

Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, is exactly what it sounds like — named for the Crown Street Reservoir (Sydney Water WS 0034) on the block bounded by Crown, Reservoir, Riley and Campbell. Earlier it was Gipps Street; the present name followed the waterworks that still sit on the high ground of the block. City Council bought the reservoir site from Riley Estate land (then under Burdekin ownership) in the mid-1850s; the covered brick service reservoir, designed under City Engineer Edward Bell (with Will Wadsworth) and built 1857–59, became a key node of the Botany Swamps scheme and remains among Australia’s oldest continuously operating covered service reservoirs.

Around it, mid-to-late nineteenth-century terraces, workshops and small businesses filled in after Riley Estate partition and sale — the Reservoir Street and Fortitude conservation setting City of Sydney heritage schedules recognise. Gates and frontages on Reservoir Street still give the closest public view of the operational Sydney Water site (no public entry to the chambers). Photographs here record Reservoir Street’s terraces and the reservoir-block edge — not interiors of the works.

Reservoir Street