Chard’s building 171-175 William Street, Darlinghurst, is named after Mr William Henry Chard, a wealthy wool merchant. He died in 1929 and was married twice, his first wife dying in 1909. The W H Chard prize is still given by Cranbrook School to a promising student.

Chard Stairs nearby is also named after him.

171 William Street was built circa 1923-1925 after the widening of William Street in 1916.

This three-storey building has a fascinating and sometimes dark history.

It has been home to the ABC, an illegal casino, drug haven and sly-grog den.

The empty metal structure on top of the building once contained large, bright neon signs proclaiming  “ABC 2FC 2BKL”,  references to the ABC’s Sydney radio stations.

In June 1819 Edward Riley, after whom Riley Street is named, merchant and pastoralist, started to purchase the allotments in William Street. Conflicting wills left after his suicide on 21^st February 1825 resulted in the subdivision of the land into seven portfolios. Ownership of the allotments was confirmed by a final decree of the Supreme Court on 5^th  July 1844.

The Sydney Corporation Amendment Act 1905 and Sydney Corporation Amendment Act 1906 empowered Sydney Municipal Council to purchase or resume land for road widening or for new roads.

By June 1916 Council had resumed 94 properties on the southern side of William Street for road widening. The existing buildings were demolished. On completion of the works Council subdivided the land and sold surplus land. Covenants were placed that any building erected should be at least three storeys high above the level of William Street in accordance with the requirements of the City of Sydney Improvement Act and Public Health Act 1902.

The new allotment on the corner of William and Forbes Street was then purchased by WH Chard. In 1923 Mr Chard commissioned the prominent architectural firm, Pitt and Morrow, to design a new commercial building on the site. It was to be called Chard’s Building. The date 1924 inscribed on its parapet.

Sands’ Sydney Directory first lists Chard’s Building in 1926, with the first occupants being listed as “Withrow Athletic Club and Physical Culture Institute Ltd.” When the publication of Sands Directory ceased in 1932-33, the Winthrow Athletic Club was still listed, along with the Kings Bridge and Social Club.

The building became the Sydney Offices of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from  1944, who had their studios on the property behind the site.

The building was run as the 50-50 Club by “Phil the Jew” in the 1930s, Sydney’s best known illegal casino, sly-grog nightclub and cocaine den. He ran prostitution and drug rackets  and paid-off police who gave due warning before they raided. Tilly Devine supplied the prostitutes, Kate Leigh the booze and cocaine. Staff drugged customers and photographed them in compromising positions in back rooms, then demanded money for the return of the incriminating photos. The sign KINGS BRIDGE CLUB was on the door, as contained a peephole that opened when a customer knocked so Philor a henchman could give the visitor the once-over before admitting them. The club was a hangout for high and low life.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation purchased the building for £21,000 in 1945.

Today, the building still functions as an office block.

Reference https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16529748