Clarence Street Police Station

Clarence Street Police Station is a four-story brick building at 281 Clarence Street that features a central atrium and displays the construction date 1891 on its exterior. The interior contains barrel-vaulted brick ceilings in former cells and timber flooring throughout all levels.

The station was constructed in 1891 near the Darling Harbour docks as the city was expanding rapidly during the colonial period. It remained operational until 1967, witnessing the tensions between dock workers and authorities during industrial disputes.

The building reflects how police stations served as symbols of state authority in a rapidly expanding colonial city during the late 1800s. Visitors can observe the Victorian design choices that projected official power and institutional importance of that era.

The building sits in the central business district and is easily reached on foot from the harbor area, with busy streets surrounding it. The corridors and rooms are compact as typical in older administrative structures, so visitors should allow time to fully explore it.

A notable architectural feature is the recessed terrace on the third floor that sets back from the wall line of the lower stories. The central atrium is cooled by angled glass louvres fitted along each side, representing an early passive cooling approach for the building.