The Police Offices - George Street - Sydney - New South Wales 

Before The End Of Transportation Convicts Would  Be Marched Up From Being Unloaded At Circular Quay

Up The Dusty Stretch To The Police Offices Where The Queen Victoria Building Now Stands 

The Old Police Office on George Street in Sydney refers to a historic building that served as a police headquarters in the early days of the city. Here's some information about the old police office:

1. Establishment: The Old Police Office was constructed in 1825 and located on the corner of George Street and Essex Street (now demolished) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was built during the colonial period when Sydney was still a British settlement.

2. Function: The building served as the central police headquarters and administrative center for law enforcement in Sydney. It housed various police departments, including offices for the chief police magistrate, superintendent of police, and other police officers.

3. Design and Architecture: The Old Police Office was designed in the Georgian architectural style, which was popular during the early colonial period. It featured a distinctive sandstone facade with arched windows and a prominent entrance. The building reflected the architectural tastes of the time and added to the visual character of George Street.

4. Law and Order: The Old Police Office played a vital role in maintaining law and order in early Sydney. It served as a hub for police operations, including the processing of criminals, holding of prisoners, and coordination of policing activities. The building also housed courtrooms where legal proceedings were conducted.

5. Historical Significance: The Old Police Office holds historical significance as a symbol of early law enforcement in Sydney. It represents the establishment of formal policing structures in the growing colony and reflects the efforts to maintain order and security in the city.

6. Demolition: Despite its historical significance, the Old Police Office was eventually demolished in the early 20th century as part of urban redevelopment and modernization of the area. The demolition of the building made way for new developments and altered the streetscape of George Street.

While the original Old Police Office no longer stands, the history of its existence and its role in the early law enforcement efforts in Sydney are remembered through historical records and accounts. The site of the former building now forms part of the ongoing development and transformation of the George Street precinct in the city.

Sydney Town Hall At Night - George Street - Sydney - New South Wales

Sydney Town Hall At Night - George Street - Central Sydney - New South Wales 

Hong Kong House - 80 Druitt Street - Sydney - New South Wales

Hong Kong House




Built - 1891
Board.



Architect - Ambrose Thornley


For Well Over 100 Years, Hong Kong House Has Been A Central Feature In The Cityscape And Development Of  Sydney.. A Beautiful Example Of Victorian Architecture, The Building's Ornate Facade Gives A Special Place In The City's Cultural And Heritage Landscape. Hong Kong House Occupies A Prominant Site At The Corner Of Druitt Street And York Street, Adjacent To Two of Central Sydney's Most Important Landmarks - The Town Hall And The Queen Victoria Building.


Constructed in 1891 To A Design By Architect Ambrose Thornley, The Building Was Originally Named Central Hotel, And Became The Gresham Hotel in 1906. For Much Of Its Life It Was A Hotel, With A Banking Chamber On the Ground Flor Of The York Street Frontage. The Building Was Converted Into Office Suites In The Late 1980's, And Purchased By The Hong Kong Government In The Mid 1990's, When It Became The Hong Kong Economic And Trade Office, The Hong Kong Trade Development Council And The Hong Kong Tourism

Queen Victoria Building - George Street, York Street, Market Street

The Queen Victoria Building 

The Queen Victoria Building Was Designed By City Architect George McRae, As Sydney's Central Markets, & Was Constructed Between 1893 And 1898. Being Planned &
erected At The Height Of The Reign Of Queen Victoria and It Was Named In Her Honour & In Celebration If Her Golden Jubilee In 1887 & Diamond Jubilee In 1897
The Site Is Bound By George Street, Market, York & Druitt Streets


The Plan Of The Building Was Direct & Simple; A Long Rectangle at a Which An Entry Was Provided At Each End & At The Centre  Of Each Long Side. The Markets Occupied The Basement & Were Serviced By Stairs & A Hydraulic Lift. There Were Shops & Apartments On The Ground & a First Floors, Warehouses, Showrooms & An Art Gallery On The Second, & Further Apartments & A Photo Gallery on
The Third Floor. 
At The Northern End Of The Building, Extending Through Several Storeys, Was A Large Hall Used For Concerts & Balls. 

In 1910 The City Markets Were Transferred Southwards To An Area Still Referred As The Haymarket, & The Queen
Victoria Building Was Subjected To An Unfortunate Successions Of Alterations Which
drastically Changed Its Architectural Character. 
Major Transformation Of The Interior If The Building were Made Between 1917
And 1930. The Original Gallery Was Destroyed & The Building
was Robbed Of Its Splendid Interior. The Glass Roof, No Longer Used For Light, Was Replaced By Galvanised Iron. 
In The 1950's, The City Council Contemplated Demolishing It & There Was Little Evidence Of Public Opposition.

By  
The Architectural style Chosen By George McCrae For His
markets Building Became Known As American Romanesque
The design & Erection Of The Queen Victoria Building a Was A Major Architectural Achievement, The More So When Considered In relation To The Depressed State Of the Australian Economy. 





By Good Fortune The Queen Victoria Building is Grouped With Its  Victorian Fellows - The Sydney Town Hall - & St Andrews Cathedral.

Romanesque, Neo Classic And Gothic Styles Merge Under The Influence

Fine Craftsmanship In Stone, Has Rarely Been More Lavishly
employed In Australia for This Late Victorian Building


Another Example Of The Work George McCrae Is This Red Brick
Building  In Hay Street Sydney. 
A Third Building Built By
McCrae, The Eastern Market Stood In Forbes Street Woolloomooloo, But Has Since Been Demolished. 
Such a Multiplicity Of Copper Domes, The Green  their Patina Varying In Intensity With Changing Moisture Or Light. The Building Can Boast Some Twenty Domes. 

The External Surface Of The Sandstone Shell Is Elaborately Decorated. Despite The Variety Of Elements Which Make The Expansive Facades - Windows & Door Openings In A Great Range Of Sizes & Groupings, Intricate & Ornate Mouldings, Projecting Bays & Recesses, Curbed & Square Wall Surfaces - There Is Consistency Of a Decoration Which Contributes To Rather Than Detracts From The Visual
unity As A Whole

The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a majestic and historic shopping center located in the heart of Sydney, Australia. It stands as a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage and has a fascinating history. Here's an overview of the history of the Queen Victoria Building:

Construction and Purpose:

• The Queen Victoria Building was constructed in the late 19th century, between 1893 and 1898.
• It was designed by architect George McRae in the Romanesque Revival style, reflecting the architectural trends of the time.

Named in Honor of Queen Victoria:

• The building was named in honor of Queen Victoria, who ruled the British Empire for over six decades.
• Its design incorporated various elements and symbols associated with the Victorian era.

Market and Shops:

• The QVB was originally built as a market hall and housed a wide range of shops, vendors, and traders.
• The central dome area, known as the "Domes," was particularly grand and impressive, with a glass roof allowing natural light to illuminate the interior.

Transformation and Decline:

• In the early 20th century, the QVB underwent various changes and renovations, including modifications to the interior layout.
• Over time, the market's popularity declined, and the building faced challenges due to changing shopping trends and economic shifts.

Threat of Demolition:

• By the mid-20th century, the QVB was facing the possibility of demolition due to proposals for urban redevelopment.
• However, public outcry and preservation efforts led to the building being saved from destruction.

Restoration and Revival:

• In the 1980s, the QVB underwent a significant restoration effort that aimed to restore its original grandeur while adapting it to modern retail needs.
• The restoration work included repairs to the structure, refurbishing of decorative elements, and updates to ensure safety and accessibility.

Reopening as a Shopping Center:

• In 1986, the Queen Victoria Building reopened as a modern shopping center with a mix of high-end boutiques, specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants.
• It became a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a unique shopping experience within a historical setting.

Heritage Status and Recognition:

• The QVB is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register and holds significance as an architectural masterpiece and a reflection of Sydney's history.

Today, the Queen Victoria Building stands as a beautifully restored and thriving shopping center that seamlessly blends historical charm with contemporary retail offerings. It remains an iconic landmark in Sydney, embodying the city's cultural heritage and architectural excellence

George McCrae - New South Wales Colonial Architect - Sydney Municipality Building

Sydney Municipality Building

This Building Waa Designed By The colonial architect George McCrae And Was Built In 1896. He Had Been Appointed As The Head Colonial Architect For The City Of Sydney During The Golden Era Of the Victorian Era. 

George McCrae Was Also The Architect behind The Design Of The queen Victoria Building. & Would You believe  He Wet as Far As Designing Four Different Styles For The "Queen Victoria Markets" Which We Now Call The Queen Victoria Building 
George McCrae Did A Gothic Revival, Queen Anne Style,  Renaissance & Romanesque. I wonder where His Other versions  Of The Queen Victoria Building Are Ok If They've Ever Seen the Light When The  Romanesque Style Was Decided Upon. 

The Queen Victoria Building - George Street - Sydney - New South Wales -

April 4

On this day in 1820 the foundation stone was laid for the building that would eventually became the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) on George, Market, York and Druitt Streets in Sydney. The site has a long history as a fresh produce market and was also at one time the Central Police Court. The Romanesque architecture of the QVB as we now know it was designed by George McRae and completed in 1898.

Photo ( Old Police Court (now site of the Queen Victoria Building), George Street, Sydney (NSW)

The Queen Victoria Building ..

The Queen  Victoria Building Designed by City Architect George McRae, WasSydney's  Central Markets, Was Constructed between 1893 & 1898,. 

 At the Height Of the Reign Of Queen Victoria It Was Named in Her Honour & In Celebration of Her Golden Jubilee In 1887 & her Diamond Jubilee In 1897


The Plan Of the Buildings Is Direct & Simple; A Long Rectangle To Which Entry Was Provioded At Each End & At The Centre Of Each Long Side. The Markets Occupied The Basement & Were Serviuced by Stairs & Four Hydraulic Lifts. There Were Apartments & Shops on the Ground 7 First Floors, Warehouses, showrooms & An Art Gallery On The 2nd Floor, & Further Apartments & A Photographic Gallery On The Thirds.

At The Northern End Of the Building, Extending through Several Storeys, Was A Large Hall Used For Concerts & Balls.

in 1910 The City Markets Were Transferred Southwards to The Area Still Referred to As Haymarket & the Queen Victoria Building Was Subject to An Unfortunate Succession of Alterations Which Drastically Changed Its Architectural Chracter.


Major Transformation of The Interior of the Building Resulted From Alterations Made in 1917 a 1930. Heavy concrete Floors & Bridging The entire Space to provide For Council Offices & The city Library Completely Destroyed the Origianl Gallery Concerpt & robbed The Building Of Its Splendid open Interior.

The Glass Roof No Longer Used For Lighting Purposes, Was Replaced by galvonized iron. The Building Being Expensive To maintain Fell into A State Of Depression & Neglect. in The 1950's The City Council, Seeing no Viable Commercial Future Contemplated Its Destruction... & There Was Little Evidence Of Public opposition.

In 1980 The council Decided to Invite International proposals for the restoration & Use of the Building, & in 1981 Accepted That Advanced byu A Malaysian Based Company, Ipoh Garden Berhad. The Comopany Undertook To Restore The Structure & Fabvric of The Building To Its Original Form And DevelopIt  As A Retail Centre With restaurants, Exhibition & Entertainment Areas. There Would Also Be Underground Pedestrian Accessways To The Town Hall Railway Station & Several Adjacent Commercial Centres. The Council Would in Return Grant To The Company A 99 Yearlease 

The Queen Victoria Building Was So Named To Celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee in 1887, & Her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

American Romanesque -   It Is A Real Shame A Building Of Such Standing & Granduer Is Surrounded By Buildings Of No Consequences Of Glass & Concrete. It Was Designed George McRae. The Original Ceiling Was Made Of Glass.


Can You Imagine How Beautiful It Would've Been To Enter The Heads Of Sydney Harbour.... Past Pinchgut Island.... ( Fort Denison)

In The Early Days They Used To Hang The Dead Bodies Up To Warn & Convicts Coming To The Penal Colonty Of New South Wales....  To Sydney Town.... That Is You Played Up... You Would End Up There....


Sydney Town Would've Been Amazing As You Alighted From The Ship At Circular Quay... Dolphin... Fish..... Sharks And One Of The Most Perfect Quays In The World....  Although They Do Say That You Could Smell Sydney Town Three Miles Away From The Stench.

All Those Makeshift Shanties, Inns And Hotels Of The Notorious "Rocks" - A Place Not To Go After Dark.



The Site Is Bounded By York And George Street And Druitt Street. The Plan Of The Building Is Direct & Simple, A Long Rectangle And Entry At Each End. At The Northern End Of The Building, extending Through Several Storeys, There Was A Large Hall Which Was Used For Concerts And Balls.


in 1910 The City Markets Were Transferred Southward To The Area Still Known As Haymarket, And The Queen Victoria Building Underwent  An Unfortunate Succession Of Alterations, Which Has Drasticaly Changed Its Architectural Character. Major Interior Alterations Were Made Between 1917 & 1930.

The Glass Roof Was Replaced With Glavanised Iron...  Imagine Being In There In The Daytime With The Market Atmosphere, and A Glass Roof So There Was Streams Of Sunight Shining Throughout The Buidling... Wow. What A Difference That Would've Been To How It Is Now.

The Buidking, Being Expensive To Maintain Fell Into A State Of Depression. In The 1950's The City Council Contemplated Its Destruction, &There Was Little Public Opposition.




The Architectural Style Chosen by George McRae For His Makrets Buiklding Gas Become Known As AMERICAN ROMANESQUE.  One Other Buidkling Still Stabnds In Hay Street


The Design & erection of The Queen victoria Building Was A Major Architectural Achievement, The more So When Considered in Relation To The Depressed State of the Australian Economy At the Tmie.

Its Regrettable That A Building of Such granduer Should Be Almost Submerged Within A Forest Of Characterless Modern Piles Of Concrete And Glass.

By Good Fortune The Queen Victoria Buiklding Is Happily Groups With Its Victorian Fellows - The Sydney Town Hall & St Andrews Cathedral,. Romanesque, Neo-Classic & Gothic Styles merge Harmoniously Under the Mellow influence Of Decorative Sandstone,.

Had Sydney Been Designed in the Grand Spanish Or Italian manner, With The Generous Open Places &Linking Boulevards, The Queen Victoria Buiklding Would Have Fitted Aptly.

It's Very Sad.... the High Rises/.... The Skyscrapers... Those Characterless buildings Of Conrete & Glass.I Will Never Know & Neither Will Any Other Sydneysider, Apart From the Old Pictures, How Beautiful thecity   Was, Now Its Just A cold clinical, Symetrical mindfuck It's Not Progressive, Sophisticated or Advanced. We're A City of Strangers. I Wouldn't Even Know Who My Neighbours Are. I Don't Know What's Right &^ What's Real Anynore. It's All Cars & Plasic &Cursing Each other. We're now just Weapons Of Mass Consumoption. It's How I've Been Programmed to function

The Architectural Style Chosen  By George McRae For His and Sydney Markets Buiklding Has Become Known As American Romanesque. Only One Other Building Remains That Was Designed By McRae And That Is In Hay Street, Across From The State Theatre, There Is Strangely Designed Building. Well Worth Looking At And When Noticed It's Hard To Miss.


The Queen Victoria Buidling Is Notable For The Employment Of Expansive Barrel Form Roof Engineering Which Weere Very Advanced At The Time It Was Constructed. The Lightweight Steel Trusses Supporting The Roof And Those Forming The Structure Of The Huge Central Dome Weeew Anything  But Conventional. The Indicate That George McRae Was Aware Of The Revolutionary Engineering Methods Being Applied At This Time For Covering Railway Stations And For A Large  Public Covered Areas Through America And Europe.

The Design And The Erection Of The Queen Victoria Building Was A Major Architectural Achievement, And Even More So When Considered In Realtion To The Depression In The Australian Economy.


It's Such A Tragedy That A Buidling Of Such Granduer Is Now Submerged Within A Forest Of  Chracterless Modeern Piles Of Concrete And Glass.




By Good Fortune, The Queen Victoria Buiding Is Grouped With The Sydney Town Hall And St Andrews Cathedral, Romanesque, Neo Classic And Gothic Styles.... Had Sydney Been Designed In The Grand SPanish Or Italian Manner, With Generous Open Places And Boulevards, The QVB Would've Fitted Int.o A Position Of Dominance.


It's Very Sad. The High Rises, The Syscrapers, The Glass And Concrete. I Will Never Know, Apart From Old Picutres, How Beautiful The City Of Sydney Was. It's Now A Cold City, Clinical, A Symetrical MindFuck. It's Not Progressive, Sophisticated, Advanced. We Are A City Of Strangers. I Don't Know What's Right And What's Real Anymore. It's All Fast Cars & Plastic. We're Now Like Weapons Of Mass Consumption. It's How We've Been Programmed To Fucntion In This Day And Age.