Queen Victoria Building or the QVB

If my previous posts and images have failed to highlight something, let me spell it out right here and now. I love Sydney! I love the harbour and look forward to the day when I can afford to live on it! I can't say from the number of times I go there that I have ever not enjoyed it. Being that I live in the "burbs", I am very proud of the city and it's colourful history.

I wanted to share some more of my shots of Sydney and also my favourite building and shopping place in the city, the Queen Victoria Building affectionately known now as the QVB. You saw one of my pictures of it late one Sunday night from the outside, but here are a few more showing the architecture of this great building. As the picture to the left shows, you can see 4 of the 5 levels in this one shot, it is a beautiful building that commands respect and admiration for the artisans and craftsmen who have laboured here. What a wonderful building. If only these walls could talk. What would they say, what stories would they tell. I photographed Naomi Campbell here once and went back and she autographed one of my pictures I took. She signed "Perfect Love, Naomi Campbell"!




I am including a brief excerpt of the buildings history as quoted on the website. I commend a visit there, simply click on the link below.

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. Built as a monument to the long reigning monarch, construction took place in dire times, as Sydney was in a severe recession. 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. Originally, a concert hall, coffee shops, offices, showrooms, warehouses and a wide variety of tradespeople, such as tailors, mercers, hairdressers and florists, were accommodated.

Over many decades, change saw the concert hall become the city library, offices proliferate and more tenants move in, including piano tuners, palmists and clairvoyants. 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. 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.

The QVB fills an entire city block bound by George, Market, York and Druitt Streets. The dominant feature is the mighty centre dome, consisting of an inner glass dome and an exterior copper- sheathed dome. Glorious stained glass windows and splendid
architecture endure throughout the building and an original 19th century staircase sits alongside the dome. Every detail has been faithfully restored, including arches, pillars, balustrades and the intricate tiled floors thus maintaining the integrity of the building.
The visual message of Sydney's coat of arms, on the cartwheel stained glass window, is that the beehive depicts business, the sailing ship - trade, and the dolphins - the harbour. Panel 1, on the left hand side, represents the Council of the City of Sydney, and symbols of architecture, while the letters I.G.B. on panel 3, on the right, represent Ipoh Gardens Berhad, the Malaysian company who restored the QVB.

The symbols are of property developers - the builders. The bottom central panel represents the heraldic symbol of a finished building and the joining of two hands denotes the fusing of two cultures. There are many interesting and charming exhibitions and attractions throughout the building, along with portraits of the Queen. There is also a letter from Queen Elizabeth II to the Citizens of Sydney to be opened and read by the Lord Mayor of Sydney in the year 2085. Outside the QVB, on Town Hall Place, facing The Town Hall are the Royal Wishing Well and Queen Victoria's statue.

http://www.qvb.com.au/IPOH/QVB/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE360

Have a good day everyone.