Monday, 31 October 2011

Sydney Hospital, Macquarie Street

The North Wing of Sydney Hospital is a heritage building along Macquarie Street, opposite Martin Place. The hospital has been at this location since 1811 and yesterday celebrated its bicentenary. There is speculation on who designed the three Old Colonial Georgian buildings but it is believed that Governor Macquarie, his wife Elizabeth and John O'Hearen contributed to the design. The hospital was constructed between 1811 and 1816 by convict labour. Governor Macquarie turned to three Sydney entrepreneurs for funding: Garnham Blaxcell, Alexander Riley and D'Arcy Wentworth. It was known as the Rum Hospital because the contractors were given a limited monopoly on the distribution of spirits in the colony, in return for building it.

14 comments:

Tes said...

interesting structure :)

Dianne said...

The architecture of this building is quite lovely and good to see they incorporated those archways along the top verandah - giving shade in our hot scorching summers.

Bernie said...

Rum in exchange for a building! Well the building is outstanding, I wonder what the rum was like!

Hels said...

Well done, you!
My absolutely favourite Sydney building from the colonial era. I visit every time I am in Sydney :)

J Bar said...

Hels, it certainly features some impressive architecture.

Dhemz said...

I like this kind of structure...nice!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I remember walking by this hospital when I visited Sydney last year ..it is beautiful!

Belle said...

Beautiful shot. Sometimes it's nice to up in order to see the natural beauty given to us. :-) Thank you for teh visit too :-)

lina@happy family said...

Very beautiful structure...

Leovi said...

A very good picture, I like.

SmilingSally said...

Happy Blue Monday to you, Jim!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Gosh they really kept the convicts busy back then hey Jim, a lot of things over here have been built by convicts too. Great shot!

Cafe au lait said...

Wonderful shot!

My Blue Monday.

Riet said...

Rel great shot. So interesting