Darlinghurst Courthouse, Greek Revival courthouse in Darlinghurst, Australia
Darlinghurst Courthouse is a sandstone courthouse in Sydney featuring fluted Doric columns and a portico with a gabled entrance that forms an architectural centerpiece on Oxford Street. The building houses seven courtrooms, jury facilities, judges' chambers, and administrative offices primarily serving the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Construction began in 1835 under Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis, establishing the first purpose-built courthouse in New South Wales and completing in 1844. This project marked a transition from temporary legal spaces to a permanent civic institution.
The building represents early colonial legal architecture and served as a template for courthouse designs throughout New South Wales for generations. Its classical style influenced how communities across the region approached civic architecture.
The courthouse is an active legal center and can be viewed from the outside, with the facade and architecture best seen from Oxford Street. Visitors should note that access to interior spaces is restricted to ongoing court proceedings and official visiting hours.
Before its completion, the unfinished building served as a venue for community gatherings including church services and the notable St. Patrick's Ball in 1840. This unexpected early use shows how the construction period itself was part of the community's social life.
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