Sydney Trades Hall

Sydney Trades Hall is a four-story brick and sandstone building on Goulburn Street distinguished by an octagonal tower and copper roof. The Victorian Italianate style details on its exterior showcase the architectural craftsmanship of its era.

The building emerged from a meeting of representatives from thirteen unions in 1882 that established the foundation for this labor institution. Construction of the current structure took place between 1888 and 1895.

The hall contains spaces where union members gathered to discuss issues affecting workers and to organize collective action over many decades. Visitors can still sense how these rooms served as meeting points for labor activists and community leaders.

The building is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport in downtown Sydney. It remains an active space for union meetings and events, so visitors should check availability beforehand.

Lord Carrington laid the foundation stone in 1888, a notable guest whose presence marked an important moment in the building's establishment. This ceremonial beginning set the tone for a construction project that would anchor the labor movement for generations.