Sydney

Sydney, Australia-12/26/2017 -1/1/2018

Day 6-Queen Victoria Building (QVB)-12/31/2017

We are now headed to Queen Victoria Building (QVB) located in the heart of Sydney.

Widely known as the QVB, this magnificent building was designed in 1898 by George McRae in elaborate Romanesque style, employing the city's best stonemasons, plasterers and stained-glass artists. Today it's home to a slew of boutiques, galleries and dining spots; given that it takes up an entire city block and spans four floors, you could spend an entire afternoon here. Along with jewelry, fashion and housewares, there are also antiques and art, including at a gallery devoted to Aboriginal works.

Completed in 1898 the building was devised by Architect George McRae as a means of keeping skilled craftsmen in work during the depression of that era, the QVB has since seen a number of upgrades and refurbishments, the last in the 1980s.

Rooftop view of QVB.

The iconic shopping destination has now completed a $48 million refurbishment led by award-winning architects Anchor, Mortlock and Woolley.

One of the many entrance into the QVB.

Statue of Queen Victoria was made out of bronze by John Hughes in 1907 and was originally located in Dublin is now situated on the corner of Druitt and George street in front of Queen Victoria Building. I was the last royal statue to have been erected in Ireland.

As the building is heritage listed, the refurbishment needed to sensitively restore the building's architectural personality.

The new escalators are designed to be clearly distinguishable as a contemporary insertions to not interfere with the traditional detailing and to entirely reversible.