Taylor Square Convenience

In 1883 a public urinal occupied the site at Taylor Square. In 1885 a steel structure was erected over the urinals to provide a platform for the elevated saltwater tanks. It is believed that these saltwater tanks were used for street cleaning. This early technique of public sanitation provided the rudimentary predecessor to the purpose-designed Underground Conveniences.

In response to the public health and safety concerns, particularly after the outbreak of the bubonic plague in Sydney in 1900, Sydney Municipal Council undertook to build one underground men's convenience a year from 1901 to 1911. The Underground Men's Conveniences at Taylor Square was erected in 1907, replacing the public urinals and saltwater tank, and was the sixth of the underground conveniences to be constructed in Sydney.

The City Beautiful movement was evident throughout Sydney with the construction of a total of twelve ft these purpose-designed Public Underground Conveniences located in the public domain of the City, often associated with the tram lines, of which the Taylor Square Conveniences remain the only extant example.