Grace Building, Sydney Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Grace Building
The exterior of the Grace Building, from York Street
Etymology	Grace Brothers
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Skyscraper
Architectural style	Federation Skyscraper Gothic
Location	77-79 York Street, Sydney central business district, New South Wales
Country	Australia
Current tenants	Hotel, Café, Restaurant, Bar
Construction started	1928 (1928)
Completed	1930 (1930)
Owner	Linkbond (Asia) Ltd
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Morrow and Gordon

New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Grace Building
Type	State heritage (built)
Criteria	a., c., e.
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	712
Type	Commercial Office/Building
Category	Commercial

The Grace Building is a historic skyscraper in Sydney, Australia. It was built in the Federation Skyscraper Gothic style. Today, it is home to a hotel, cafe, and restaurant. You can find it at 77-79 York Street in the heart of Sydney's business area.

The building was designed by Morrow and Gordon and built by Kell & Rigby. It opened in 1930. It was originally the main office for Grace Brothers, a famous Australian department store. The first two floors were planned as a department store. The upper floors were for offices, especially for companies that imported goods. The Grace Building was inspired by the Tribune Tower in Chicago, which has a similar neo-Gothic style. It was very modern for its time, with new features and facilities.

Over the years, the Grace Building has been used for many things. In the early 1940s, the Australian Government used it. During World War II, it became the Sydney headquarters for the U.S. armed forces. This was under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. After the war, the government continued to use it. They officially bought the building in November 1945.

In the 1990s, the building went through a big makeover and restoration. Many of its original features were brought back. These included the old lights, lifts, stairwells, and high metal ceilings. The beautiful marble floors, wide hallways, and fancy ironwork were also restored. The Grace Building is now listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it is a protected historical site. In 1995, a company from Malaysia bought the building. Since June 1997, it has been a fancy hotel called "the Grace Sydney."

History of the Grace Building
Building Design and Features
- Building Condition
- Changes Over Time
Why the Grace Building is Important
Gallery
Images for kids
See also

History of the Grace Building

By the early 1900s, Sydney had become Australia's biggest city. It was also a major financial center in the Asia-Pacific region. After World War I, many people moved to Australia, and Sydney was a popular choice. The Grace Building was planned as the main office and a department store for the Grace Brothers company. This company had a long history of serving Sydney, especially its wealthier residents.

Grace Brothers was started in 1885 by two English immigrants, Albert Edward and Joseph Neal Grace. Their first store was small and located on George Street. Later, they opened a much larger store on Broadway.

The Tribune Tower in Chicago, Illinois heavily influenced the design of the Grace Building.

In 1926, the Grace brothers bought a piece of land in Sydney. It was at the corner of York, Clarence, and King Streets. They wanted to build the "jewel crown" of their business there. They thought this spot was perfect because of new public transport routes. Also, the upcoming Sydney Harbour Bridge would make York and Clarence Streets very busy. The company even wrote on their letters that the building was "...on the Harbour Bridge Highway." Their Broadway store was not doing as well because the city's main shopping area was moving. So, the Grace Building was meant to help the company succeed.

The Grace Building officially opened on July 3, 1930. Sydney's Lord Mayor, Ernest Marks, was there for the opening. Its design was greatly inspired by the Tribune Tower in Chicago. Both buildings show the Art Deco style popular in the 1930s.

However, York Street did not become the busy shopping street the Grace Brothers had hoped for. Also, the Great Depression of the 1930s affected the economy. Because of this, the building did not meet their expectations. As World War II began, Grace Brothers found it hard to rent out office spaces. So, many parts of the building were used by government departments.

In 1943, the Australian Federal Government took over the Grace Building. They needed it as the headquarters for the Allied forces in the South-West Pacific. General Douglas MacArthur led these forces. In 1945, the Australian government officially bought the building. In 1995, a company from Kuala Lumpur bought it. They turned it into a 382-room hotel, which opened in 1997. It is still a hotel today.

Building Design and Features

The Grace Building is a great example of the commercial Gothic style. It looks very tall and has a striking "Gothic" corner tower. This tower features flying buttresses, pointed windows, and quatrefoils (a type of four-leaf design). The building is covered in shiny cream-colored terra cotta tiles. Green details highlight some parts.

Like other skyscrapers of its time, most of the decoration is at the very top and bottom of the building. The street-level front of the building has been changed over time. However, the part above the awning still looks like it did originally.

Building Condition

The building is in good physical condition. There is not much archaeological potential, meaning it's unlikely to find old hidden items underground.

Changes Over Time

The Grace Building was built between 1928 and 1930.
In 1942, the ground floor windows were covered with hardboard screens. An air-raid shelter was also built in the basement around this time.
From the 1940s, it housed many government departments. It also served as the United States Armed Forces' headquarters in Sydney.
There are stories that General MacArthur used a system of tunnels under York Street. These tunnels were built before World War II. They likely held emergency telephone equipment.
In November 1945, the Australian government officially bought the building.
In May 1946, a meeting was held to decide how the government would use the building. Departments like the Postmaster General's Department and the Repatriation Commission moved in.
After 1945, many changes were made inside the building. This removed or covered up many of the original interior features.
A telephone exchange opened in December 1948.
A Post Office opened in December 1950.

Why the Grace Building is Important

The Grace Building is important for many reasons. It shows the excitement of the 1920s when many businesses were growing. It also represents the tough times of the Great Depression that followed. The building is also linked to the presence of U.S. military forces in Australia during World War II, especially General Douglas MacArthur.

From an architectural view, it's Sydney's best example of the skyscraper Gothic style. This style shows how American building designs influenced Australia. It is a well-known landmark in the city. The building was one of the most important projects by Morrow and Gordon, a leading architectural firm of that time. The Grace Building is also important for its construction. It used an unusual reinforced concrete slab and beam method. It was also covered with special glazed terra cotta tiles.

The Grace Building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is officially recognized as a place of historical importance.