Historic Buildings
Sydney’s historical buildings reflect the historical, social and cultural development of this dynamic City.
Anzac War Memorial
Bruce Delitt caused an uproar in the local architectural fraternity when his design won a prestigious competition.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Conceived out of the great International Exhibition (1879-80), the Art Gallery of NSW now boasts 4900 sq m of exhibition space.
Australian Museum
The present complex exhibits two visually contrasting architectures due to the major modernist addition.
Cadman's Cottage
This sandstone structure was built on the shores of Sydney Cove in 1815-16 as the 'Coxswain's Barracks'.
Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre is the result of a major redevelopment of the New Belmore Market building originally erected in 1893.
Chifley Tower
A high-tech tower, with the picturesque romantic skyscraper stylism found in early 20th Century American office towers.
Customs House
The present Customs House represents a complete redesign and enlargement of an earlier 1844 building.
Fort Denison
The tower was built to defend Sydney against a possible attack by Russian warships.
General Post Office
Built at huge expense over the Tank Stream, the General Post Office was constructed in stages from 1866 to 1891.
Government House
English architect Edward Blore, working in the romantic Gothic style, produced a mock castle design for Government House.
The Great Synagogue
The elaborately decorated building is noted for its fine detail and a high standard of craftsmanship in carved sandstone.
Hyde Park Barracks
Hyde Park Barracks was built to house transported convicts in a walled compound in a bid to solve night-time crime.
The Mint Museum
The Mint occupied one of the wings of the General Hospital commenced in 1811, barely 20 years after first settlement.
Museum of Contemporary Art
This monumental 'H' plan office building was designed to complement the functionalist appearance of Circular Quay Railway Station.
Museum of Sydney
The museum contains artefacts from the First Government House, once erected on part of the site.
Parliament House
The northern wing of the Rum Hospital was converted to accommodate the first NSW Parliament House in 1829.
Queen Victoria Building
Construction commenced in 1893 on the fresh produce market, then called the Queen Victoria Markets.
State Theatre
A glorious fantasy palace from the 1920s built specifically to show "talking pictures".
Strand Arcade
A rare, rebuilt late Victorian arcade from the prosperous 'boom' times between 1880 and 1900.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The concept of a harbour crossing was fifty years old before proposals were sought in 1900 for a 'North Shore' bridge.
Sydney Hospital and Eye Hospital
Originally named the Sydney infirmary, this building was designed to replace the centre wing of Governor Macquarie's 'Rum Hospital'.
Sydney Observatory
In 1858, a new observatory enabled regular observations to commence.
Sydney Opera House
One of the world's most important modern buildings occupies an extraordinary site on Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Town Hall
The Sydney Town Hall is possibly the only non-religious city building to retain its original function and interiors since it was built 120 years ago.
