Sydney Town Hall

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The Sydney Town Hall

The Sydney Town Hall is a landmark sandstone building located in the heart of Sydney. It stands opposite the Queen Victoria Building and alongside St Andrew's Cathedral. Sitting above the busy Town Hall station and between the cinema strip on George Street and the Central Business District, the steps of the Town Hall are a popular meeting place.

Town Hall was built in the 1880s from local Sydney sandstone in the grand Victorian architectural style, and remains the only non-religious city building from the era to retain its original function and interior. The building houses the Sydney City Council Chamber, reception rooms, the Centennial Hall and offices for the Lord Mayor and elected councillors. The Centenary Hall (main hall) contains one of the world's largest pipe organs and, one of only two with a full length 64 foot speaking rank (Contra Trombone), this link provides an aural experience of this monstrously huge set of pipes http://www.sydneyorgan.com/STH64.mp3

The Town Hall was immortalised in song by the 1980s indie rock and pop band The Mexican Spitfires in their song "Town Hall Steps". The Town Hall steps have become a great social area for the youth and is viewed as being the emo "chill-out" place.

Recent increases in anti-social behavior, including assaults and graffiti has led to the deployment of additional security outside Town Hall. Measures include stopping people from congregating on the Town Hall Steps during the day time, and the presence of security guards on the Town Hall steps at night.

Increased CCTV monitoring of the Town Hall Steps and surrounds has led to a number of arrests.