The Sydney Opera House, Sydney
The Sydney Opera House has become, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney's
best-known landmark and international
symbol.
The base for the building was started in 1959 - years before the designs were
finished. It took four years to design by
Danish architect Jorn Utzon and by 1962 the designs were finalized and construction
began. In total it took 14 years to
build and was officially opened on the 20th of October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II.
The Sydney Opera House is nonetheless a fascinating building and heart of the city's
cultural scene. It opened with a
concert hall, an opera theatre, a drama theatre and a recital hall, as well as
restaurants and bars. A fifth theatre was
added within the structure in 1998.
Nearby Accommodation - There are a few hotels which have unequalled views of the
Sydney Opera House. Hotels like the
Park Hyatt Hotel Sydney, which is situated right on the harbour's edge. Others include the
Quay Grand Suites Sydney,
Shangri La Hotel Sydney and
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.
The Sydney Opera House cost some $160 million to build and was paid for by the public
who bought $10 tickets in a series
of lotteries with a first prize of $1 million.
In the year to June 1998 it attracted more than 1.4 million patrons. The Sydney Opera
House conducts regular tours of
the building daily, and walking paths lead back towards the city centre through the
Botanic Gardens. - www.sydney.visitorsbureau.com.au
This months Featured Hotel is Gay Friendly Diamant Hotel Sydney
Located in Potts Point, The Diamant Boutique Hotel Sydney is in the business district
and close to Fitzroy Gardens,
Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Nearby points of interest also include
Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
The Diamant Hotel offers a sensual décor, generous proportions and the latest in-room luxury amenities.
Only a 10 min stroll to Sydney’s Town Hall, the Financial District, Oxford St shopping and the Woolloomooloo Wharf. A short drive to Bondi Beach and the International airport.
Gay Friendly Diamant Hotel Sydney
The Queen Victoria Building, now affectionately known as the QVB, was designed by
George McRae and completed in 1898,
replacing the original Sydney markets on the site. Built as a monument to the long
reigning monarch, construction took
place in dire times, as Sydney was in a severe recession. The elaborate Romanesque
architecture was specially planned
for the grand building so the Government could employ many out-of-work craftsmen -
stonemasons, plasterers, and stained
window artists - in a worthwhile project. Originally, a concert hall, coffee shops,
offices, showrooms, warehouses and a
wide variety of tradespeople, such as tailors, mercers, hairdressers and florists,
were accommodated.
Over many decades, change saw the concert hall become the city library, offices
proliferate and more tenants move in,
including piano tuners, palmists and clairvoyants. Drastic 'remodelling' occurred
during the austere 1930s and the main
occupant was the Sydney City Council. As recently as 1959 the Queen Victoria Building
was threatened with demolition. As
it stands now, in all its glory. It is testimony to the original vision for the
building and the superb craftsmanship of
the artisans who put it all back together again.
- www.qvb.com.au
