General Post Office, Sydney, Heritage post office in Martin Place, Sydney, Australia
General Post Office is a heritage post office in Martin Place, Sydney, Australia. Pale sandstone covers the exterior walls, and the facade displays columns, arches, and decorated cornices in the Italian Renaissance style.
James Barnet, the colonial architect of New South Wales, oversaw construction starting in 1866, and the project took 25 years to complete. The gradual completion reflected the growing postal traffic and the expansion of the city in the late 1800s.
The building still serves its original postal function on the ground floor, while people gather in the converted upper spaces for meals or shopping. Locals pass through the arcade regularly, treating it as a shortcut that connects two busy streets.
The main entrance sits on George Street, where counters for postal services are open daily. Visitors can walk through the open arcade and view the facade details from the street without entering the building.
The relief carvings on the Pitt Street side, created by Italian sculptor Tomaso Sani, sparked heated debates in parliament over art standards and public spending. These discussions stretched across months and shaped later policies about supporting local artists.
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