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| New Sydney Exchange Engraving from the Original Drawing by John Frederick Hilly, Esq. |
THE NEW SYDNEY EXCHANGE.
IN our first number we gave an illustration of the Trowel and Mallet presented to his Excellency the Governor-General, on the occasion of laying the Foundation Stone of the New Exchange, on 25th August last. We have now the pleasure of presenting our readers with an engraving of the building itself, from the original drawing by John Frederick Hilly, Esq., to whose kindness we are indebted for allowing us to make the copy, and in reference to which we give the following extract from the Herald, of 26th of August:- "The entire building is to be of Australian stone; the style is to be that usually known as Roman Corinthian. The principal front will be towards Bridge-street, presenting six columns of the Corinthian order, with pilasters at the angles, continued along each flank in Gresham and Pitt-streets; the whole surmounted with an appropriate entablature and balustrade. Over the centre columns of the principal front will be sculptured figures, emblematical of Commerce, Peace, Plenty, Agriculture. The accommodation proposed in the comprehensive design are, first a basement story to run under the whole of the building; the ground floor being raised about five feet above the level of the footway, so that the great consideration of light, air, and easy access will be afforded to the lessees of the stores, offices, &c, the rent of which it is expected will yield a large revenue. The ground floor it is intended shall consist of a public hall, 80 feet by 40 feet in the clear; to be entered from Bridge-street by a flight of easy steps through three arched openings. It will be subdivided on each side by six Ionic columns; a corridor being thus formed, eight feet wide, for promenade on public occasions, when the thronged centre may be the scene of busy attraction for the day. At each end of the hall there are to be five arched openings, which will give the idea of a corridor all round the room, but which, in fact, will enclose two commodious staircases, by which to ascend to the first floor. Opposite to the front entrance will be three arched openings of the same size and character; two of which will afford access to the Merchants' Room," 60 feet by 30 feet; and on the east and west sides of this, entered at either end of the great hall, will be two rooms each 36 feet by 36, which may, if required, be subdivided into 4 rooms, each 18 feet by 18. These are intended for committee rooms, or to be let to public companies, &c. On the first floor will be a large room, 45 feet by 30, to be appropriated to the Chamber of Commerce; and ten rooms of various dimensions for committee rooms, offices, &c, &c. The cost of this building, when the plans were first called for, was estimated by Mr Hilly, in January last, at £20,000."
Source: THE NEW SYDNEY EXCHANGE. (1853, November 26). Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 - 1872), p. 1.
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