Attractions near Aspire Hotel Sydney: A Short History of Ultimo

'Ultimo' was originally the name of the estate of Dr John Harris, on 34 acres granted to him by Governor King in 1803. It was named for a clerical error in a legal case against Harris that had prevented him being court-martialled. His offence was listed as 'ultimo' (having occurred in the previous month) when it should have been cited as 'instant' (having occurred in the same month). Harris Street is named in his honour.

The area remained as farmland, in possession of the Harris family, until it was subdivided in 1859. At that time, most of the current streets were laid out, and the descendants of John Harris constructed the first residences in the area (at least one of which - a row of terraces in Wattle Street - was still owned by the family in the early 1980s).

Residential development accelerated in the 1880s. In 1891 the population of the Pyrmont-Ultimo area was 19,177, in 3,966 dwellings. The population peaked at around 30,000 in 1900. However, the construction of factories, quarries, woolstores and a power station in the early 20th century saw the demolition of hundreds of houses, and a steady decline in population. It was a good site for warehouses because of its proximity to Darling Harbour. Several examples of the federation warehouse style can be found along Wattle Street. By 1954, the population of Pyrmont and Ultimo was 5,000, and by 1978 it was just 1,800.

Subsequently, many industries began to move to cheaper land further from the CBD, and the decline of the wool industry made Ultimo's 15 woolstores redundant. By the start of the 1980s, derelict industrial sites began to be redeveloped for residences, mostly as apartments, a process that continues to the present.

In common with other inner suburbs such as Surry Hills, Ultimo still has some of the oldest examples of Victorian terraces. Despite constant 'slum' clearance and redevelopment during the 20th century, many fine examples exist which, as in other inner Sydney suburbs, have been progressively 'gentrified' in recent times.

Places to visit in Ultimo:

Powerhouse Museum: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/ 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
Broadway Shopping Centre: http://www.broadway.com.au/ 1 Bay Street, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia
Wentworth Park: http://www.wentworthparksport.com.au/ Wattle St, Ultimo, Sydney NSW 2007, Australia

Close by attractions in Central (Haymarket):

Market City Shopping Centre: http://www.marketcity.com.au/ 9-13 Hay St Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
Paddy's Market (Flea Market): http://www.paddysmarkets.com.au/ 9-13 Hay St Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia (directly below Market City Shopping Centre)
Chinatown: http://www.sydney-chinatown.info/ Dixon and Sussex Streets, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia