As real estate agents in Sydney, we come across our fair share of beautiful buildings. Whether that’s aesthetically pleasing architecture or award-winning interior design, grand colonial houses or modern showstoppers which are world-famous (I think you know which building we mean). So, in celebration of our beautiful city, we thought we’d share our top 10 most stunning buildings in Sydney.
Sydney Opera House
This is by far the most famous – and we mean figuratively and literally. The iconic structure is known across the globe for its impressive design. If you want to delve deep into the history of the design, you can embark on one of the interesting tours the Opera House offers.
Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
Completed in 1898, this building has survived many a demolition threat. And thankfully, each one was quashed. With an impressive domed roof which dominated the Sydney skyline once upon a time, it was restored in the 1980s to the budget of $75 million. It’s truly a beautiful building and a celebration of the Victorian era of architecture and design.
Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
Now, this is really a “you either love it or hate it scenario” but we think the crumpled paper effect is incredible. Designed by Frank Gehry, it opened in February 2015 and has achieved a 5 star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Vaucluse House
The oldest ‘house museum’ in Australia is surrounded by ten hectares of prime land, with its own sheltered beach. Home to William Charles Wentworth from 1827-53 and 1861-62, the Historic Homes Trust has tried to keep it as it was during those times. There’s even a door that hides a secret in the regally furnished dining room – just ask the guide to show you.
Rose Seidler House
Built by Harry Seidler between 1948 and 1950, the house is a flat single-storey box resting on a smaller box, with a section cut out to create a sun deck and allow for floor-to-ceiling windows. The house has been restored to its original 1950s colour scheme and is open to the public every Sunday.
Government House
Designed in 1834 by William IV’s architect, Edward Blore, to be the official residence of the NSW governor. The original design had to be modified to allow for local conditions such as our sun being in the north, not the south. But the Gothic Revival concept remained and it’s now possibly one of the closest things to a castle we have.
ANZAC Memorial
The vision of C Brice Delitt, the Art Deco geometry caused quite a stir when it was first unveiled in 1934. Now the memorial stands tall and impressive in front of the pool of water to commemorate those who died in World War One.
One Central Park
As one of Sydney’s greenest buildings, it looks like a huge vertical garden on approach. With hanging gardens flowing down the two apartment towers, the high-tech ‘cantilevered heliostat reflecting the daylight, it’s an impressive site in inner-city Chippendale.
Elizabeth Bay House
Designed in 1839 by John Verge for NSW colonial secretary, Alexander Macleay. This handsome Greek Revival villa boasted the finest staircase in Australian Colonial architecture and absolutely breathtaking views of Elizabeth Bay and the Harbour. It has lost its way over the years due to vandalism and development but it’s back in the hands of the Historic Houses Trust now and is open to visit Friday to Sunday.
The Grace Hotel
In the middle of the CBD, there’s an impressive mix of old and new. And The Grace hotel is a truly spectacular heritage site. Built in 1930, it was refurbished in 2005 with many of the original features retained like the lifts, stairwells, marble floors and ornate ironwork.
If you’re looking to buy, sell or rent, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to help.