Picture the year 1898. The air is thick with anticipation and Sydney is about to unveil a marvel. This is the Queen Victoria Building or QVB. It stands as a testament to Victorian elegance and ambition.
The Queen Victoria Building wasn’t always destined for retail glory. Originally, this space was meant for municipal markets. Governor Macquarie envisioned a grand civic square. Before the QVB rose, simple storehouses and stone halls occupied this very ground.
But let’s delve into the story of its design. George McRae a Scottish architect was the creative mind behind the Queen Victoria Building. He presented four distinct styles Gothic Renaissance Queen Anne and Romanesque to the council. The Romanesque style won. It showcases arches columns and intricate details.
The central dome is the Queen Victoria Building’s most striking feature. It has an interior glass dome and a copper exterior. Smaller domes dot the rooftop adding to its grandeur. Stained-glass windows cast light into the central area. Arched skylights run north and south from the central dome.
Now, consider the sheer scale. The Queen Victoria Building fills an entire city block. It is bounded by George Market York and Druitt Streets. The foundation stone a five-tonne granite block was laid in December 1893. Mayor Sir William Manning initiated the construction.
Naming this grand structure wasn’t a simple affair. In 1897, the council decided to dedicate the building to Queen Victoria. This commemorated her Diamond Jubilee. They chose not to seek royal assent partly to avoid adding the Royal Coat of Arms. Initially known as the Queen Victoria Market Buildings, it was later amended to Queen Victoria Building.
The Phippard Brothers led the construction. They sourced sandstone from Waverley and trachyte from Bowral. The Queen Victoria Building officially opened on July 21, 1898. It housed tailors hairdressers florists and coffee shops. A grand ball was held in the adjacent Town Hall. Mayor Matthew Harris spoke of a marvelous center of trade.
Early tenants included Mei Quong Tart’s tearoom Elite Hall. It had a plush-carpeted staircase and a function hall for nearly 500 people. The Elite Dining Saloon offered elegant appointments.
The original concept was for a shopping street with two levels of shops. However, alterations in 1917 and 1935 converted the interior to office space. The early Queen Victoria Building had an oriental bazaar feel. It housed shops studios and workrooms for about 200 traders.
Despite its grandeur the Queen Victoria Building faced criticism. Financial returns were poor. By 1898, only 47 of 200 spaces were tenanted. It wasn’t until 1917 that the building reached maximum tenancy.
In the early 20th century, the City Council worried about the Queen Victoria Building being a non-paying asset. Selling remodeling or demolition were considered. The markets relocated to Haymarket in 1910.
Fast forward to more recent times. The Queen Victoria Building was restored between 1984 and 1986. The Malaysian Company Ipoh Ltd undertook this project. Today, it houses upmarket boutiques and brand-name shops.
During the restoration, a car park station was built under York Street. The building’s exemplary features were retained. It features trachyte stairs tessellated tiled surfaces and column capitals.
Inside, you will find two mechanical clocks each with dioramas and moving figures. The Royal Clock displays scenes of English royalty. The Great Australian Clock showcases 33 scenes from Australian history.
Look for the sealed letter on the top level near the dome. It is to be opened in 2085 by the future Lord Mayor of Sydney. Queen Elizabeth II wrote it in 1986.
Outside, note the statuary designed by William Priestly MacIntosh. They represent the Genius of the City and the Genius of Civilisation. At the southern end, you’ll find a statue of Queen Victoria. It was given to Sydney by the Government of the Republic of Ireland. Nearby stands a wishing well featuring Queen Victoria’s dog Islay.
Today, the Queen Victoria Building stands as a blend of history commerce and art. Its walls have stories to tell. Its halls echo with the footsteps of generations. The Queen Victoria Building remains a symbol of Sydney’s vibrant past and present.