Saturday, 1 June 2013

Dawes Point, ablutions block (Theme Day: The Beauty of Decay)

This sandstone building is located along Hickson Road, opposite the wharves at Walsh Bay, in the inner city suburb of Dawes Point. Although I'm not exactly sure what its original purpose was, I think it must have been an ablutions block, where wharf labourers could clean up after their day's work. The architectural design is very similar to a former ablutions block which is down the road at Millers Point, now used as a cafe which can be seen here. This building could possibly be waiting to also be converted into a trendy cafe with outdoor seating someday.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants of this theme day
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37 comments:

  1. PerthDailyPhotoSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 01:37:00 GMT+10

    Excellent find for the theme Jim.. Wonder if it'll be a cafe by the time I get there later in the year :)

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  2. JulieSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 08:45:00 GMT+10

    I do like the little windows in the roof, Jim.

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  3. MoSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 18:20:00 GMT+10

    A developer will probably want to put a high rise there

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    1. JimSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 21:23:00 GMT+10

      It's on a very small piece of land between the road, a stairway and a sandstone wall so hopefully that precludes it from being redeveloped into a high rise. I can't find a heritage listing for it but I hope there is one.

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  4. JoSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 18:28:00 GMT+10

    could be converted into something wonderful, great find.
    Happy Theme Day..

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  5. MarleenSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 18:32:00 GMT+10

    Wonderful choice for this month's theme.

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  6. DianneSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 19:04:00 GMT+10

    Yes I can see little round tables and chairs nestled in against this quaint old building.

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  7. Red Nomad OZSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 19:05:00 GMT+10

    Cool! An Aussie Scenic Public toilet I haven't been to yet!!! I hope it's NOT updated!!

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  8. Gerald (SK14)Saturday, 1 June 2013 at 21:56:00 GMT+10

    They'd have to clean it up a lot to convert it to a cafe

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  9. VPSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 22:25:00 GMT+10

    Does the world really need one more trendy cafe? I really like this as it is...

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    1. JimSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 22:36:00 GMT+10

      That's probably why it hasn't happened yet. There are actually quite a few restaurants and cafes in this area already.

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  10. SharonSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 22:56:00 GMT+10

    I'd say it still has some life in it!

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  11. KateSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 23:04:00 GMT+10

    Depending on its location, I think this could be restored quite nicely into a cafe or shop. The bars on the windows make me wonder about its original purpose also. So much history behind decay!

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  12. cieldequimperSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 23:39:00 GMT+10

    It could be restored into a number of things, if there are already cafés and restaurants, why not an art gallery?

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    1. JimSunday, 2 June 2013 at 00:26:00 GMT+10

      Maybe but it's not very big though. A cafe could utilise outdoor seating.

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  13. KrisSaturday, 1 June 2013 at 23:49:00 GMT+10

    Its a cafe now? seemed abandoned to me...

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    1. JimSunday, 2 June 2013 at 00:24:00 GMT+10

      It is abandoned but a similar block down the road has become a cafe. You can see it by clicking the link in my post.

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  14. magiceyeSunday, 2 June 2013 at 00:40:00 GMT+10

    Sure will be lovely to see it as a cafe!

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  15. Barbara/myth makerSunday, 2 June 2013 at 01:00:00 GMT+10

    I could also see it transformed. A cafe would be nice. Wonder what the inside is like. Good theme day post.

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  16. LizSunday, 2 June 2013 at 01:02:00 GMT+10

    This is great!! I always wonder what stories the walls of these places might tell!! Would be grea converted into a trendy café!!

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  17. JudySunday, 2 June 2013 at 01:30:00 GMT+10

    It really is beautiful!

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  18. LONDONLULUSunday, 2 June 2013 at 02:01:00 GMT+10

    Love the building and they did a nice job converting the other one into a cafe. Hoping this one has a chance to be as lovingly restored.

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  19. StuartSunday, 2 June 2013 at 05:23:00 GMT+10

    I'd say this has held up rather well in spite of being abandoned. That's what I love about stone buildings...they are just timeless...no matter their condition.

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  20. CarraolSunday, 2 June 2013 at 05:41:00 GMT+10

    Its an excellent find, is a promising spot and a great idea for turning decay in something trending, the architecture is very interesting!

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  21. VirginiaSunday, 2 June 2013 at 08:43:00 GMT+10

    Well it has possibilities for a cafe. We'll see. :)
    V

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  22. LynetteSunday, 2 June 2013 at 10:46:00 GMT+10

    You’ve made a great Theme Day post. I'm glad you picked this for today. Thanks for the informative text and the link. I think you've discovered the building's original use.

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  23. BlossomFlowerGirlSunday, 2 June 2013 at 10:54:00 GMT+10

    A cafe is probably the only thing it could become. Everybody likes good coffee.

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  24. Oakland Daily PhotoSunday, 2 June 2013 at 15:19:00 GMT+10

    Love the word "ablutions." Such an interesting history. Like your other readers, I certainly hope it's repurposed.

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  25. paulSunday, 2 June 2013 at 18:12:00 GMT+10

    Great theme day post, nice stonework - and wonderful speculations...

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  26. Clueless in BostonMonday, 3 June 2013 at 00:23:00 GMT+10

    I'm sure it could be converted into a cafe and do well.

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  27. AdeleMonday, 3 June 2013 at 04:31:00 GMT+10

    It does look like the one on your link! Wonderful find.

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  28. TaniaMonday, 3 June 2013 at 04:59:00 GMT+10

    Looks wonderful! I just love sandstone to climb on, but we do not have them here in nort..:-)

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  29. PeterMonday, 3 June 2013 at 17:49:00 GMT+10

    Oh no, not another cafe! Reopen the toilets.

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  30. AnonymousMonday, 3 June 2013 at 18:01:00 GMT+10

    Quite a sturdy looking building! And I learned again a new word of English ;) I hope it'll be opened again as a public toilet, I think it would be a success in the middle of all the cafés :)

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  31. UnknownMonday, 3 June 2013 at 20:21:00 GMT+10

    Wonderful sandstone façade!

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  32. CaTMonday, 3 June 2013 at 23:01:00 GMT+10

    ablution is a new word for me too! :)

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  33. slimTuesday, 4 June 2013 at 05:19:00 GMT+10

    I hope if the building is repurposed, that water would be on the menu ;-)
    Great choice!

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