Street numbers have been combined as developers take over.

According to the Sands Sydney Directories the present street numbering system in Pitt Street goes back to 1881. Prior to the construction of Pacific House/Radio House/Metro Hotel in 1930, 296-300 Pitt St comprised of three separate shops.

The City of Sydney Rate Assessment Books has shed some more light on the Manning family. 135 Cook Rd, Centennial Park was on four large blocks, had 11 rooms and numerous out-buildings. The Mannings also had an interest in another two city commercial properties including 245-247 Pitt St. & 281-283 Elizabeth St.

The Sands Sydney & Suburban Directories & Rates Assessment Books can be found with these links below:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/search-our-collections/sands-directory

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/search-our-collections/house-and-building-histories/assessment-books

Prior to the construction of Pacific House/Radio House/Metro Hotel in 1930, 296-300 Pitt St comprised of three separate shops.

Developers/land title aggregators have been around for centuries, especially in CBDs.

What is sometimes a puzzle is how the street numbers end up. My workshop address spans 4 street numbers but is the result of the consolidation of two land titles, each of which had a single street address and frontage. Where the phantom 2 numbers come from I have not been able to determine as yet.