Bridge Street


Heading east from George Street, the first building I like on Bridge Street dates to 1899.


A bunch of neat architectural details from Queen Victoria's reign.


Another building with some really neat deatils is the 1892-1894 Department of Lands Building at Gresham Street. The first stage of the building opened in 1881, and the Public Entrance was clearly built in 1877.


You may have noticed some of these guys peeking out of the niches in the previous photos. About half of the building's 48 niches contain statuettes of historical figures associated with the exploration of Australia's or, moving forward in time, important politicians. You can see the names of Flinders, Sturt, and Hume here, for example. The remaining niches are intended to be filled over time as more important people enter the public realm.


Next we have the Department of Education building, built in stages from 1912-1938.


The Young Street Terrace Houses were built in 1875 on the northwest corner of Young and Bridge Streets.


King Edward VII stands in the median of Bridge Street after it crosses Macquarie Street. Although he only ruled from 1901-1910, that's because he was already 60 at that point. He was very popular as the heir apparent under the long-lived Queen Victoria and developed a reputation as a peacemaker and empire builder. That's why the twin figures of Empire and Unity adorn the plaque.

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Market Street


Some views of the Sydney Tower (or whatever name it's being called this week), perched atop the Westfield Shopping Centre. It's the tallest building in Sydney, the tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere (according to its own claims), and expensive to visit. The first photo looks west from Hyde Park and the 3rd looks east from around George Street.


The Myer department store has stood on the northwest corner of Pitt Street since 1928. At this point only the façade is left.


Westfield has expanded like a weed in downtown Sydney. It took over Myer, graciously permitting it to stay in operation, and then this neighboring building, among others. Again, only the façade remains, but what a façade.


Meanwhile, on the south side of Market Street, the twin towers of State Theatre (or State Building) and Gowings Department Store were built in 1929. The State Theatre is more interesting on the outside, featuring what I believe are a bunch of knights with shields.

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Onto George Street (photos at Bridge Street)
Onto Macquarie Street (photos at Bridge Street)
Queen Victoria Building (on Market Street)
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