John Gorton Building

The John Gorton Building is a government structure in the Parliamentary Triangle featuring Art Deco design with geometric forms, vertical facades, and symmetrical proportions throughout. It now houses multiple government departments and was significantly modernized to meet contemporary office standards.

Initial plans for the building date back to 1946, with construction beginning only after earlier designs from 1924 had been set aside. Completion came in 1956, marking the end of a lengthy building period shaped by financial constraints and foundation challenges.

The building displays the architectural language of the interwar period and attracts visitors interested in how Canberra developed as a planned city. Its geometric forms and clean lines reflect the style that shaped the capital during its formative years.

The building sits at the heart of Canberra's government quarter and is easily reached on foot from major public spaces. Since it functions as an active office building, visitors can mainly admire the exterior architecture, though interior access may be limited.

Hidden inside is a communications center built in the 1970s with steel-lined walls, originally designed for international messaging. This concealed technical facility reveals how security and modern infrastructure were woven into a classical structure.

Location: Australian Capital Territory

Inception: 1945

Architects: George William Smetham-Jones, Robertson & Marks, Department of the Interior, Department of Works and Housing

Official opening: February 2, 1956

Architectural style: Art Deco

Address: Parkes Pl, Parkes ACT

GPS coordinates: -35.30207,149.13430

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:03