Argyle Terrace, Historic house in New South Wales, Australia.
Argyle Terrace is a two-storey brick and cement terrace at 13–15 Playfair Street in The Rocks, built in 1883–84 for Thomas Playfair as two five-room houses. It was originally rendered with a parapet, decorative cornices, string lines and arched window heads. It now houses Caminetto's Restaurant and is owned by Property NSW.
Thomas Playfair built these two brick and cement tenements in 1883–84 on Lots 28–31, the last terraces erected on Playfair Street's western side. First rated in June 1884, they were resumed by the Minister for Public Works in 1901 and managed by the Sydney Harbour Trust, then passed to the Maritime Services Board in 1936. The site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002.
The terrace's name comes from Argyle Street, the southern boundary of the block, while its address street was renamed Playfair Street in 1953 after Thomas Playfair, who built the two tenements in 1883–84. Later the building housed Harry's Bar and then Sorrentos before becoming Caminetto's Restaurant, so the same rooms have served as rental housing, bar and eatery.
Argyle Terrace stands at 13–15 Playfair Street in The Rocks, a short walk from Circular Quay and the Argyle Street corner. The two-storey brick terrace fronts the western side of the street, so look for the rendered parapet and arched window heads at first-floor level. It now operates as Caminetto's Restaurant; check opening times before visiting, as the interior is only reachable as a diner.
Early photographs show the terrace was originally rendered, with a parapet, decorative mouldings including cornices and string lines, and arched window heads. These details were slightly more elaborate than those of the neighbouring terraces on the western side of Playfair Street.
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