The historic façade of the former Marcus Clark & Co building at 711 Hunter Street, Newcastle West, has been revealed for the first time in decades - just as demolition is underway.

Hidden behind steel cladding on the former Spotlight/Musos Corner building, demolition works have uncovered substantial historic fabric and original architectural detail that has not been visible from Hunter Street for generations.

Now that Newcastle can finally see what has survived, we believe there is an opportunity — before it is too late — to properly assess its significance and consider whether it can form part of the site's future.

The Marcus Clark & Co building dates from around the turn of the twentieth century and formed part of the early commercial development of Hunter Street. Historical photographs show a distinctive building, once incorporating a prominent corner clock tower and decorative parapet elements.

The building was subsequently altered and, during its occupation by Waltons Ltd from the late 1960s, concealed behind the steel façade familiar to generations of Novocastrians.

What has now been uncovered raises an important question: was the surviving building itself ever properly assessed for its built heritage significance before demolition was approved?

A Historical Archaeological Assessment prepared for the site documented the history and development of the Marcus Clark & Co building. However, that report expressly stated:

“The built heritage value of the structures currently standing on the study site is not assessed as part of this report.”

The site sits within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area, yet the former Marcus Clark & Co building is not individually listed as a locally significant heritage item.

With the cladding removed, we can now see surviving historic fabric that was previously concealed from public view. We believe its heritage significance should be properly understood before that fabric is irreversibly lost.

Development and heritage can coexist.

This petition is not against redevelopment. Newcastle is changing, and we support the continued renewal of Newcastle West. But renewal does not necessarily require the erasure of what came before.

Across Newcastle and elsewhere, contemporary development has demonstrated that significant historic fabric can be retained and incorporated into new architecture. The nearby Dairy Farmers redevelopment is one example of old and new contributing together to the evolving character of the city.

At 711 Hunter Street, there may be an opportunity to retain and adapt the historic Hunter Street façade while allowing the broader redevelopment of the site to proceed.

Before demolition continues, we believe that possibility deserves to be properly investigated.

We are asking for urgent action.  We call on the City of Newcastle and the relevant NSW heritage authorities to urgently investigate what measures are available to protect the remaining historic fabric at 711 Hunter Street while its heritage significance is properly assessed.

We ask that Council:

• Take immediate steps to protect the surviving historic fabric while its significance is assessed.
• Commission or require an appropriate built heritage assessment of the former Marcus Clark & Co building.
• Reconsider whether the surviving building warrants recognition as a locally significant heritage item.
• Investigate the retention and adaptive reuse of the historic Hunter Street façade as part of the site's redevelopment.
• Work constructively with the landowner, developer and design team to explore an outcome that allows new development and heritage conservation to coexist.

Help us save a piece of Newcastle's history. This is about more than one building.

It is about how Newcastle responds when something of its history unexpectedly re-emerges - and whether we are prepared to stop long enough to understand its value before deciding that it should disappear.

We want to bring together Newcastle residents, architects, historians, heritage advocates, businesses and everyone who cares about the character and history of our city.

If you believe Newcastle should not lose a piece of its history simply because it was hidden from view, please sign this petition and share it.

Help us give the former Marcus Clark & Co façade at 711 Hunter Street a chance to remain part of Newcastle's future.