Taylor Square Substation No. 6 and Underground Conveniences, Historic electrical substation and underground public toilets in Darlinghurst, Australia
Taylor Square Substation No. 6 is a rectangular brick building with sandstone details situated at the intersection of Oxford and Bourke Streets. The site includes underground public restrooms with separate facilities for men and women.
The building was constructed between 1904 and 1907, marking the start of electric lighting in Sydney. The women's restroom facilities were added in 1938, while the power station operated continuously until 1993.
The site became a gathering place for Australia's LGBTQ+ community and remains connected to their long struggle for rights and visibility. Visitors today find a location that holds deep meaning for many as a symbol of that movement.
The location sits at a busy street corner and is easy to find given its position at a major intersection. The underground facilities may be more or less crowded depending on the time of day, so visiting at different times can give different impressions.
The structure ranks as the most intact example of early electrical substations in New South Wales, displaying well-preserved details from the Edwardian period. Its architectural character with Art Nouveau elements makes it a noteworthy record of the technical and design evolution of the early 1900s.
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