By Cathy Jones
The building at 4-6 Rochester Street Homebush was built in 1913 for its owner Thomas Smith. Construction of the building was approved in March 1913 for its owner on the corner of Rochester Street and Burlington Road Homebush. The construction involved the building of a pair of shops, work shops with dwellings on the first floor at an estimated value of £700 for each shop and £130 for the workshop. The builder was Ellis & Smith, Rochester Street Homebush. The first occupant of the corner building was Bert T. Smith. Licenced Plumber, General Contractor and Iron Monger.
The shop later operated as Homebush Plumbing works and in the 1990s and 2000s as ‘Knobs & Knockers’ and the Western Suburbs Lock & Key Company. The building is now occupied by Urbano, a restaurant and café.
For many years the electrician Mr Ramsay conducted business from the adjoining shop at 6 Rochester St. It is now a dental surgery.
References
Department of Valuer-General, Valuation Lists, Municipality of Strathfield
Homebush Public School Centenary, 1985, Homebush Public School
Sands Sydney and Suburban Directory 1900-1932
Strathfield Council Valuation Records
Strathfield Council Building Register
Strathfield Heritage 