Tag:queen victoria building
The QVB, short for Queen Victoria Building, is an iconic building constructed in 1898 by Scottish architect George McRae. It was built on the site of the original Sydney markets and was intended as a tribute to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Significantly, the construction occurred during a period of economic struggle in Sydney, making the accomplishment all the more impressive.
The Design
Architect George McRae who had also designed the Sydney Town Hall and Caves House at the Jenolan Caves presented four facade designs for the QVB, Gothic, Queen Anne, Renaissance, and Romanesque. Upon reviewing the designs, the market committee chose the Romanesque design, which was made of sandstone and had a roofscape of 21 copper domes. . The plans also incorporated a residential hotel spanning multiple floors at Druitt Street. In addition, a concert hall capable of accommodating 500 people was planned at the Market Street end. The building would also feature shops, warehouses, and markets in the basement, which four hydraulic lifts would service. In today’s money, the QVB would cost around $2 billion to build.
Located between George, Market, York, and Druitt Streets, the QVB building occupies an entire city block. At the heart of the building stands the impressive central dome, made up of an inner glass dome and an outer copper-sheathed dome. Stunning stained glass windows and remarkable architecture are evident throughout the tower, with an authentic 19th-century staircase beside the dome.
Mr W P. Macintosh was awarded the contract to design a symbolic group of marble figures for the central arch on George Street. He was also contracted to create another group for York Street above the prominent arches. The total cost for both statue groups was £3,3000.
Construction
Building took place between 1893 to 1898. In addition, the grand Romanesque architecture was planned to provide employment opportunities for many skilled craftsmen struggling to find work. These included stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists. While officially, it was named the “Queen Victoria Market Building”, it has since been commonly referred to as the QVB.
Mayor Mathew Harris officially opened the QVB on July 21, 1898. The ground floor of the building provided space for 58 shops, featuring a range of tenants such as tailors, mercers, boot importers, hairdressers, tobacconists, florists, chemists, fruiterers, and a tea room. The first floor comprised 17 spacious rooms utilised for warerooms, showrooms, and offices. The second floor, meanwhile, had 12 large rooms with a gallery. The Coffee Palace was located at the southern end, boasting a dining room, sitting area, drawing room, public spaces, 57 bedrooms, a gallery, and a promenade. The basement had cooling chambers, strong rooms, wine bodegas, cellars, and public toilets.
By 1901, the concert hall had been transformed into the city library, and the coffee palace had become offices. When the council became a tenant, they virtually obliterated the entire interior. It was deemed all too opulent, so they concreted over the tiling, spilt-levelled and subdivided. Tenants had changed considerably from those who first occupied the building, with only Singer Sewing Machine Co. and one tailor remaining. The new tenants included Piano tuners, dancing teachers, palmists, and clairvoyants.
Decline and Restoration
In the 1930s, notable alterations were made to the building’s architecture, such as installing new floors in galleries and revamping shopfronts to accommodate the Sydney City Council, a major tenant at the time. However, plans to demolish the building and create a city square and underground carpark were proposed between 1959 and 1971.
Fortunately, this caused an intense public campaign whereby conservationists and the public intervened, resulting in the preservation of the building. The National Trust classified the building in 1974 and this led to a significant restoration project, awarded to a Malaysian company, Ipoh Garden, in 1980, along with a 99-year lease.
“It is an architectural monstrosity, a wasteful, stupid building.”
Architect Harry Seidler, in favour of demolition, 26 August 1961
The QVB’s glass was damaged by the Hilton Hotel bombing in 1978. Subsequently, in 1979, the glass replacement process began alongside restoring the minor copper domes. Finally, in 1986, the fully restored QVB reopened its doors to the delight of locals and tourists.
In 2008, it underwent a $48 million renovation, which included the installation of new escalators, repainting, restoration of balustrades, carpets, signage, and bathrooms. The following year, the QVB ballroom was revamped and converted into a charming tearoom. Significantly, every element of the building has been carefully restored, from the arches and pillars to the balustrades and intricately tiled floors, preserving the original grandeur of the structure.
Heritage Status
The QVB Building is known for its stunning architecture, remarkable central dome, intricate stained glass windows, and ornate decorations. The building’s design and embellishments pay homage to the extraordinary craftsmanship of its time. Recognising its historical and cultural significance as a significant Sydney landmark, the QVB was included in the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1989.