Eveleigh Chief Mechanical Engineer's office

Eveleigh Chief Mechanical Engineer's office is a Victorian building in Redfern with detailed interior finishes including marble mantelpieces, decorative plaster cornices, and timber panelled doors. The structure demonstrates the skilled craftsmanship of the late 1800s through its solid construction and careful decorative details.

The building was constructed in 1887 during the expansion of Eveleigh Workshops to meet growing railway administration needs. Around 1900 it was enlarged to provide more space as the administrative workload increased.

The office functioned as a hub for railway administration, where engineers coordinated the daily operations of the workshops and collaborated with other departments. Visitors can still trace how the layout reflects the communication and hierarchy of the era.

The building is owned by Transport NSW and currently requires extensive restoration work on both its exterior and interior. Visitors should be aware that renovation work may be ongoing or planned, which could affect access to certain areas.

Two individuals who later became major political leaders started their careers in this office. Ben Chifley went on to become Prime Minister, while Joseph Cahill became Premier of New South Wales.