Historic Haymarket landmark returned to its former glory

Architectural drawings of the building’s original Parker Street aspect

The ornate Corporation Building was designed in 1892 by city architect George McRae for Sydney Municipal Council as a supplementary service building to the new Belmore Markets.

Constructed in 1893–94, the building provided offices, refreshment rooms and toilets for the market clerk and produce agents.

City of Sydney Archives A-00544709

The Corporation Building, circa 1920s

When it opened, the Corporation Building was among the most important and highly decorated municipal buildings in Sydney.

The council’s town clerk proudly reported the exposed red brick and decorative terracotta tiling were:

“a distinct departure from the ordinary character of such building[s], the ornamentation of terracotta work having a very pleasing effect, relieving the eye from the terrible whiteness and sameness of our ordinary cement plastered architecture.”

Hall & Co., State Library of NSW

Intersection of George and Hay streets, circa 1894.

The Corporation Building on Hay Street, with its distinctive corner tower, has just been completed. The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, later known as the CBC Bank, sturdily stands on the corner.

Kerry & Co., State Library of NSW

Carts lined up at the new Belmore Markets, Pitt Street corner of Campbell Street, circa 1900.

The new Belmore Markets were short-lived, with the increasing volume of trade creating a congested maze. Market growers and produce agents convinced the council to build larger markets down the road in Ultimo, close to the harbour and railway goods lines.

The market was open daily and sold fruit, vegetables and flowers. The entrance to the old Belmore markets can just be seen on the left.

Kerry & Co., State Library of NSW

In 1913, the Belmore Markets were dismantled and remodelled

Conversion of the New Belmore Markets is an early example of adaptive re-use in the city. Every brick was salvaged and re-used. The Hotel Sydney, seen in the background, was built by the council on the site of the old Belmore Markets.

The original single-storey market structure was carefully dismantled and the ground floor, with its distinctive arches, was elevated to the second storey. The new hippodrome was completed by 1916. Elements of the original market building can still be seen in the façade of the Capitol Theatre today

City of Sydney Archives, A-00039561

The Belmore Markets become a new hippodrome

The original single-storey market structure was carefully dismantled and the ground floor, with its distinctive arches, was elevated to the second storey. The new hippodrome was completed by 1916. Elements of the original market building can still be seen in the façade of the Capitol Theatre today.

City of Sydney Archives A-01001329

Returned to its former glory

Remediation works completed in July 2022 have restored the Corporation Building to its former glory. The works ensure generations to come can appreciate its unique design and place in Sydney's commercial history.

Chris Southwood, City of Sydney

Details of the recent works

The $3m makeover preserves the intricate detailing of the brick and sandstone façade and the roof’s striking parapet features.

The early federation Anglo-Dutch style building has elaborate motifs in terracotta and sandstone which had become degraded over the decades. These were cleaned and repaired as needed, bringing the building back to its former glory. The entrance on the corner of Hay and Parker streets was also rebuilt in its original style.

Chris Southwood, City of Sydney

Hidden in Hay

The Corporation Building is something of a hidden gem. Located on a narrow, pedestrianised corridor of Hay Street, it doesn’t have the prominence of some of the grand 1800s architecture found in the city centre. But the building’s unique features make it one worth appreciating.
Chris Southwood, City of Sydney