This heritage listed shop is on the corner of George Street and King Street. It was originally built in 1863 in the Victorian Exotic style for wholesale and furnishing ironmongers Ashdown & Co. After it was burnt down in 1866, it was rebuilt the following year according to the same plans. It became the flagship store for Darrell Lea Chocolates in the 1920s until the business collapsed in 2012 (although the brand relaunched and products sold in supermarkets with an expanded range). The surrounding commercial tower at 400 George Street was built around this historic building and incorporated the restored Sydney Arcade façade, as the Sydney headquarters for Telstra, Australia's leading telecommunications company. In 2014 this building was refurbished and became the flagship Telstra Shop with a technology hub.
Linked to: Wordless Wednesday, My Corner of the World, Communal Global.
Victorian Exotic Style is a new name for me, but it describes perfectly what the original 1860s designers had in mind. Thank goodness rebuilt and renovated versions of the shop have been preserved.
ReplyDeleteThe facade is indeed artistic
ReplyDeleteLove the facade of that building and the interesting history!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/01/chateau-de-thorens-de-sales-family-home.html
Hi Jim - it's lovely to be getting back and seeing so many old faces. I can't say that I'll be much more noticeable than I have been, but I'll be lurking with much greater intent! thanks for your continued interest in my Sushine Coast blog!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear. Cheers, Peter.
DeleteFreaking Fantastic Arhitecture!! And a Great Shot.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
ReplyDeleteA marvelous building.
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