How about a tale of ambition and sandstone? Today we stand before the Old Sydney GPO Column. It is a testament to Sydney’s aspirations in the 19th century. The General Post Office commonly known as the Sydney GPO was meant to symbolize Sydney. It would mirror the Houses of Parliament in London and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Imagine colonial architect James Barnet tasked with creating this landmark. The original building was constructed in two stages. Work began in 1866. Barnet envisioned a grand structure. It would come to represent the growing importance of the colony.
The Sydney GPO’s primary facade stretches 114 metres along Martin Place. It is a Victorian Italian Renaissance masterpiece. Local Sydney sandstone from Pyrmont was used. The northern facade has been called the finest example of this style in NSW.
Barnet faced challenges. Enclosing the Tank Stream below the foundations was difficult. The stream was Sydney’s original fresh water source. Construction also needed to avoid affecting nearby buildings. The Duke of Edinburgh set the keystone of the George Street entrance in 1869. The keystone weighed 26 tons.
The Old Sydney GPO became a symbol of progress. People saw it as a monument to Barnet’s skill. There was a growing call to widen St. Martin’s Lane beside the Sydney GPO. A decent thoroughfare would add to the city’s architectural reputation.
Later, an extension to Pitt Street was planned. Barnet submitted plans for the extension. He had conceived it as early as 1868. By 1887 the Pitt Street extension was topped out.
A dispute arose over the clock tower. Barnet referred to it as a campanile. He declared the bells sub-standard. Barnet preferred conventional bells. Eventually, a new set was installed by Henry Daly.
The Sydney GPO’s Pitt Street carvings caused controversy. Sculptor Tomaso Sani depicted everyday Sydney life. Some found these realistic portrayals comical and inappropriate. Frederick Darley criticized the carvings as caricatures. Despite the controversy, the carvings remained. They were hailed as the beginning of art in Australia.
The Old Sydney GPO played a crucial role in shaping Martin Place. Barnet’s design included an arcade. It linked Pitt and George Streets. The GPO’s construction led to the creation of a dignified public square.
The clock tower was disassembled in 1942. This was done to reduce the building’s visibility during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1964. An Eternity inscription by Arthur Stace was found inside the bell.
The Sydney GPO was privatized in 1996. It was refurbished and now houses shops, restaurants, and a hotel. Australia Post maintains a presence with a Post Shop. The Fullerton Hotel and Macquarie Bank towers stand behind the courtyard.
In 2019, Stonemason and Artist cleaned the facade. This restored the building’s former glory. The Old Sydney GPO remains a significant landmark. It stands as a reminder of Sydney’s rich history and architectural ambition.