Sydney Queen Victoria Building

0340 Queen Victoria Building

The Queen Victoria Building, now affectionately known as the QVB, was designed by George McRae and completed in 1898, replacing the original Sydney markets on the site. Outside the QVB, on Town Hall Place, facing The Town Hall are the Royal Wishing Well and Queen Victoria's statue. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: May 2016

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Built as a monument to the long reigning monarch, construction took place in dire times, as Sydney was in a severe recession. FROM: QVB website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: May 2006

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The elaborate Romanesque architecture was specially planned for the grand building so the Government could employ many out-of-work craftsmen - stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists - in a worthwhile project. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

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Originally, a concert hall, coffee shops, offices, showrooms, warehouses and a wide variety of tradespeople, such as tailors, mercers, hairdressers and florists, were accommodated. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

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The QVB fills an entire city block bound by George, Market, York and Druitt Streets. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

0345 Queen Victoria Building

Drastic 'remodelling' occurred during the austere 1930s and the main occupant was the Sydney City Council. As recently as 1959 the Queen Victoria Building was threatened with demolition. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: May 2006

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As it stands now, in all its glory, it is testimony to the original vision for the building and the superb craftsmanship of the artisans who put it all back together again. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

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The "Royal Clock" is located on the upper level of the southern half of the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, Australia. It was designed by Neil Glasser and made by Thwaites & Reed of Hastings in England, and when activated, displays scenes of English royalty. The plaque on the side of the clock reads "By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Turret Clockmakers Thwaites & Reed Ltd Hastings England". FROM: Wikipedia IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: MAY 2006

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The clock activates on the hour from 9 am until 9 pm. Each performance begins with the music of the trumpet voluntary as miniature trumpeters emerge from the tops of each of the clock's four outer turrets. The trumpeters withdraw at the end of the voluntary. The six scenes are viewed (one at a time) through windows on both sides of the clock that face the railed walkways. Each scene briefly illuminates to display a diorama of English royal history, before dimming and rotating to the left in preparation for the next scene. Most of the scenes include mechanical animation. One of these for example, depicts the execution of King Charles I. FROM: Wikipedia IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: July 2017

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The building has two large mechanical clocks, The Royal Clock, designed by Neil Glasser in 1982, shows scenes of English royalty from King John signing the Magna Carta to the execution of King Charles I – the head of the king is rolled off the chopping block every business hour! The Great Australian Clock, designed and made by Chris Cook, includes 33 scenes from Australian history seen from both Aboriginal and European perspectives. FROM: Top Sight-seeing IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

0351 Queen Victoria Building

Rich in history and architecturally splendid, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) occupies an entire block on Sydney's George Street, and has over 180 of Sydney's finest fashion boutiques, jewellery shops and homewares, accompanied by delightful cafes and restaurants. FROM: Sydney.com IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

0352 Queen Victoria Building

The dominant feature is the mighty centre dome, consisting of an inner glass dome and an exterior copper- sheathed dome. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

0353 Queen Victoria Building

Every detail has been faithfully restored, including arches, pillars, balustrades and the intricate tiled floors thus maintaining the integrity of the building. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

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The grand building, built in the 1890s was erected as a Municipal Market on the scale of a Cathedral. The QVB was beautifully restored and re-opened in 1986, and quickly became Sydney's most popular and prestigious shopping centre. FROM: sydney.com IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

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The fully restored Queen Victoria Building reopened her doors to Sydneysiders and visitors alike in 1986. A major refurbishment in 2009 restored her even further. Today the QVB stands in all her glory, testimony to the original vision for the building and the superb craftsmanship of the artisans who put it all back together again. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

0356 Queen Victoria Building

The dominant feature is the mighty centre dome, which during the Christmas period is occupied by a giant Christmas tree, a must see for any visitor. Glorious stained glass windows and splendid architecture endure throughout the building and an original 19th century staircase sits alongside the dome. FROM: sydney.com IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

0357 Queen Victoria Building

The Queen Victoria Building, or QVB, is a five storey shopping outlet located on the city block bounded by George, Market, York and Druitt Streets in Sydney’s CBD, across the road from Town Hall train station. FROM: Around You.com IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017

0358 Queen Victoria Building

Glorious stained glass windows and splendid architecture endure throughout the building and an original 19th century staircase sits alongside the dome. FROM: QVB Website IMAGE BY: Hazel Hogarth TAKEN: March 2017