By 1802 Nicholas Bayly built a substantial house with a distinctive mansard roof for himself on the eastern side of High Street more or less in front of the site.

Campbell is remembered positively by history, with a reputation for fairness in trade and not using his power as one of the major merchants to unduly influence the political landscape.

[1] The early 1840s were an economic depression in NSW, resulting from the gradual cessation of transportation and consequent rise in labour costs, severe repeated droughts and especially the pain of transforming from a state-subsidised to a mercantile economy.

They were described as 'newly erected stone built premises, situate in George-street North, opposite Messrs. Campbell's, consisting of a commodious dwelling house and spacious stores, replete with every convenience'.

Sydney Cove became busier during the 1840s as the success of the wool industry brought wealth, trade goods and encouraged immigration.

Their earlier offices mentioned in advertisements are in King Street and Bank Court, Sydney, and the proprietors were John and Edward Row.

[1] As manufacturing and importing chemists Row and Co. can be expected to have bought chemical supplies in bulk and possibly already packaged for sale through pharmacists and agricultural suppliers.

This would have therefore required storage for bulk imported chemicals, for the packaging into which it would have been then distributed, an assortment of machinery for their own production, including mixers, blenders and pill machines.

The Merchant's House and its adjoining buildings were considered to be important parts of the historic fabric that would be conserved in the process of developing new office precincts.

The archaeologist, Jane Lydon, reported that as the structure had been cut into bedrock it had limited archaeological potential, and so she examined built up debris that had accumulated in the basement area.

This revealed that the basement floor may originally have been timbered, as the deposit of bitumen, dark brown fill and recent dumping sat over natural excavated bedrock.

Josephsons Australian Ointment and Rows Embrocation bottles were found in the fill of the footing trench in the south wall of the room, confirming that these openings had been added during the period of their occupation.

[1] Material from sub-floor deposits in the attic level of the residence is most likely associated with the occupancy by Thomas Gainsford, the Minister of the Mariner's Church or Charles Smith, listed in different Sands Directories as both an accountant and confectioner.

Work proceeded on the understanding that the place would be handed over to the National Trust at a peppercorn rental, in return for ongoing management as a museum.

Style: Greek Revival; Storeys: 3 plus basement & attic; Side Rear Walls: Stone; Roof Cladding: Galvanised steel; Floor Frame: Timber; Ceilings: Lath and plaster[1] As at 3 May 2001, Archaeology Assessment Condition: Partly disturbed.

Built in 1848, documentary evidence suggest that it was designed by John Bibb, considered one of the finest Greek Revival architects in Australia.

It contains a rare example in Sydney of an intact mid nineteenth century first floor drawing room with its moulded plasterwork, chimney piece and grate, joinery, and cantilevered balcony.

[1] The building complex reflects the wealth and status of the small business and merchant class of 19th century Sydney and provides evidence of the once dominant mercantile nature of The Rocks.

The subdivision of Campbell's land, and construction of a building by Martyn and Combes combining a gentleman's townhouse residence and warehouse or store reflects the character of The Rocks, where merchants lived in or near the commercial district.

The subject town house fits firmly within this social mix, and also with the close association of residence with work, as a sign of the mercantile middle class.

The residence began to be occupied by precisely the intended market - respectable men who had a need to live in The Rocks, notably Thomas Gainsford of the Mariners Church.

Through the later 19th century Row and Co. occupied the store, adjoining building and residence, reflecting less the maritime character of The Rocks and more a light manufacturing industrial suburb which happened to be fringed by docks and warehouses.

The development along the foreshore by the Sydney Harbour Trust and the resumption of the property show that the government felt that official intervention was needed to both solve the perceived social and medical problems posed by The Rocks, and the commercial necessities for completely redeveloped port facilities.

From 1985, after it finally ceased to be a boarding house, it became a heritage property with all of the difficulties of finding viable uses and making acceptable intervention in fabric that this entails.

The design, configuration, detail and materials of Merchant's House and its store are excellent examples of the Greek Revival style in New South Wales.

The overall design, layout and materials, rarity, well proportioned and detailed George Street elevation, elegant staircase and chimneypieces, and intact drawing room provide valuable information related to the development of the Greek Revival style and working Merchant's townhouse and store in New South Wales, and interpretation of the London townhouse in Sydney.

Merchant's House is the most intact example of a late Georgian/early Victorian period townhouse known to survive in Sydney, and probably New South Wales.

43 George Street contains a rare example in Sydney of an intact mid 19th century first floor townhouse drawing room complete with its original fabric including moulded plasterwork, chimneypiece and grate, joinery, French doors and balcony.

43 George Street contains a number of rare and excellently detailed elements including a timber geometric stair and cast iron cantilevered balcony.

43 George Street is now a rare representative and outstanding example of a late Georgian/early Victorian period townhouse with its store, designed in the Greek Revival style in Sydney.