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Robert Marsden Hope Building
Canberra Patent Office 1945.jpg
Canberra Patent Office, 1945
Former names
  • Patent Office Building (1940-1971)
  • Robert Garran Offices (1983-2009)
Etymology The Hon. Justice Robert Marsden Hope
General information
Status Complete
Type Office
Architectural style Art Deco
Address 2 National Circuit, Barton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Country Australia
Coordinates 35°18′20″S 149°07′53″E / 35.3056231°S 149.1312991°E / -35.3056231; 149.1312991
Current tenants Office of National Intelligence
Groundbreaking 18 March 1939
Construction started 1 August 1939
Completed 12 August 1940
Opened 7 September 1940; 84 years ago (1940-09-07)
Renovated 2013
Cost £116,900
Renovation cost A$37 million (2011)
Client Department of the Interior
Owner Australian Government
Technical details
Material Concrete, sandstone cladding, marble, steel, and timber
Floor count 2-3
Design and construction
Architecture firm Cuthbert Claude Mortier Whitley
Main contractor Concrete Constructions
Renovating team
Architect Fender Katsilidis
Renovating firm ISPT
Awards and prizes ACT Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Development of the Year (2013)
Official name: Patent Office (former), Kings Av, Barton, ACT, Australia
Type: Listed place
Criteria: A., D., E., F.
Designated: 22 June 2004
Reference #: 105454

The Robert Marsden Hope Building is an important government office building in Canberra, Australia. It is located near the Parliamentary Triangle, where many key government buildings are found. This building has a special history and is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List. It was once known as the Patent Office Building and later as part of the Robert Garran Offices.

Building History and Design

This building was constructed in 1939. Its main purpose was to be the new home for the patent office. The patent office had moved from Melbourne in 1934. Before this building was finished, the patent office worked from a place called Hotel Acton. Like many government buildings built in Canberra around that time, it was designed in the Art Deco architectural style. This style is known for its sleek lines and decorative elements.

Different Groups Who Used the Building

Over the years, many different government groups have used this building.

  • Patent Office: This office is where people register new inventions. It helps protect their ideas.
  • ACT Supreme Court: This is the main court for the Australian Capital Territory.
  • Commonwealth Security Services (CSS): This group was an early version of Australia's spy agency.

The CSS moved out in 1945. The Supreme Court left in 1963. After that, the Patent Office was the only group in the building until they moved out in 1975.

Renaming and Modern Use

After the Patent Office left, the Commonwealth Public Service Board moved in. They stayed until 1983. At that time, the building became part of a larger complex called the Robert Garran Offices. This complex housed the Attorney-General's Department.

The building had a big renovation. On 5 December 2011, it was renamed the Robert Marsden Hope Building. This was done to honor The Hon. Justice Robert Marsden Hope. He was a judge and a Royal Commissioner, which means he led important public investigations. Since its renovation and renaming, the Office of National Intelligence has been located in the building.

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