Royal Naval House, Former naval accommodation building in The Rocks, Sydney, Australia

Royal Naval House is located at 32-34 Grosvenor Street in The Rocks and features Federation Free Classical architecture with three upper stories and an ornate facade. The building now functions as part of the Grosvenor Place complex, serving as modern office space with meeting facilities.

The building opened in 1890 with public funding to provide accommodation for sailors and became a central facility for naval personnel. It housed up to 1,500 men during World War II, making it a major hub during the conflict.

Superintendent John Samuel Shearston established reading rooms, dining areas, billiard rooms, and gyms, creating a social center for naval personnel.

The building is now a modern office complex used primarily for business purposes. Visitors can view the exterior facade and street-facing side, but keep in mind it is an active workplace.

The nickname 'Johnny's' honoured superintendent John Samuel Shearston, who took charge in September 1890 with his wife as housekeeper; seamen used it until the house closed in 1970. In 1946 alone the building lodged 307,000 sailors, and at its World War II peak it slept almost 1,500 a night, many on 'shakedown' mattresses laid wherever space allowed.