List of buildings and structures in the Australian Capital Territory explained

This list of buildings and structures in the Australian Capital Territory includes historically and architecturally significant buildings and structures in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The recognition and legal protection of significant buildings and structures in the ACT is performed by numerous bodies:

Places on these lists are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Listed places are protected under the Act which means that no-one can take an action that has, will have or is likely to have, a significant impact on the environment of a listed place, including its heritage values, without the approval of the Minister. It is a criminal offence not to comply with this legislation.

The Royal Australian Institute of Architects also maintains a register of significant 20th-century buildings, which although it has no legal capacity to protect buildings, it provides information on architecturally significant buildings within the territory.

19th century

NameYear completedLocationDescription and significancePreservation and access
St John's Anglican Church1845ReidSt John's Church is the oldest surviving public building within Canberra's city precinct, predating the establishment of the capital by almost 70 years. The Schoolhouse Museum within the church precinct displays items dating back to Canberra's rural past.The church building and surrounding precinct remains an active place of worship and Canberra landmark.
Blundells Cottage1860ParkesBlundells Cottage is five room stone cottage, and is one of the few reminders of the rural history of Canberra left in the city.The building is listed by the National Trust of Australia and operates as a museum.
Canberry, Kanberry1824ActonCanberry was the first building in the ACT. Canberry was knocked down in 1942 to make way for the construction of the Royal Canberra Hospital.
Lambrigg
Tharwa Bridge1895TharwaTharwa Bridge was the first bridge built across the Murrumbidgee River.The four span Allan truss bridge is still open to traffic. (Closed in 2006 - temporarily) The bridge reopened in August 2008 to light traffic, below 5 tonnes.[1] [2]
Hill Station1862
Yarralumla1891YarralumlaBuilt by the Campbell family, the house became the home of the Governor-General of Australia from 1927.Commonwealth Heritage List
Duntroon House1833Royal Military College, DuntroonBuilt by the Campbell family, now the officer's mess at RMC Duntroon. The oldest surviving private building in Canberra.Commonwealth Heritage List

20th century

Pre World War II

NameYear establishedLocationDescription and significancePreservation and access
Hotel Canberra1922-26YarralumlaHotel Canberra was designed by architect John Smith Murdoch in the Garden-Pavilion style drawing strong influences from American Prairie, Californian Bungalow and Australian Colonial styles.The Hotel is open to the public and operated by Hyatt, it is listed by the National Trust.
Old Parliament House1927ParkesOpen to the public as a museum and home of the National Portrait Gallery. Commonwealth Heritage List
Ian Potter House~1927ActonThe exterior of the house is in Inter-War Georgian Revival style and was designed by Anketell and Kingsley Henderson. The house was originally used to house female public servants.Listed on the ACT Heritage Register
Canberra Hospital Administration Building, former1941-43ActonMany of the old hospital buildings are now used by the Australian National University. Listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List, RSTCA Register
Commencement Column Monument1913Capital HillThe Commencement Column Monument is composed of three foundation stones with inscriptions, set in a hexagonal base (of an intended but never completed column) and was designed by J S Murdoch.Commonwealth Heritage List
Old Canberra House1913ActonDesigned by J S Murdoch it was the first two-storey masonry structure in the new capital.Commonwealth Heritage List, Register of the National Estate
Melbourne & Sydney Buildings1927City CentreThe pair of Inter-War Mediterranean style buildings were the earliest major developments in the City CentreThe exterior and remaining original interiors are protected by the ACT Heritage Register. They are still used for commercial and residential purposes.
Canberra School of Art1939ActonA two-storey rendered brick symmetrical Art Deco style school with central clock tower.Commonwealth Heritage List, Register of the National Estate
The Lodge1927DeakinThe Lodge is a two-storey, rendered brick building in the Colonial Revival style with Georgian detailing. It has been the Canberra residence for most of Australia's Prime Ministers. Annual open days for public viewing, listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Ainslie Public and Primary Schools1927BraddonThe first modern school open in the ACT, designed in the Art Deco style.RAIA register
Gorman House Community Arts Centre1924-25BraddonThe first hostel completed for the Federal Capital Advisory Committee. It was designed by the Commonwealth Architect John Smith Murdoch in the Garden-Pavilion style.The buildings are used by various community groups. Many of the buildings are open to the public during regular markets. ACT Heritage Register
Yarralumla Woolshed & Outbuildings1904Adjacent to YarralumlaFredrick Campbell built this large woolshed for his nearby property Yarralumla.The woolshed is available for hire as a party venue. Nominated to the ACT Heritage Register
Manuka Swimming Pool1930GriffithThe pool was an important social hub for early Canberra from 1930 until the 1960s. It is built in the Federal Capital Style.Open to the public, admission charge. ACT Heritage Register
Kingston Powerhouse1915KingstonThe powerhouse was the first permanent public building in the ACT. It was designed by John Smith Murdoch in the Federal Capital style.ACT Heritage Register
Westlake1922YaramullaAccommodation for construction workers including cottages designed by H M RollandCompletely demolished. Unrestricted public access to the site.
Alt Crescent Buildings & Precinct
Reid Urban Conservation Area
Albert Hall1927YarralumlaIt was designed by J H Kirkpatrick, R Casboulte and H M Rolland, and is representative of the Federal Style of architecture in early Canberra.Venue available for hire. ACT Heritage Register
Australian War Memorial1941Campbell
Belconnen Naval Transmission Station1938-1939BelconnenTransmitting station for Bonshaw Receiving Station at HMAS Harman; the 600 ft masts were brought to ground on 20 December 2006. Register of the National Estate and Commonwealth Heritage List
Canberra City Garbage Incinerator1938-41YarralumlaOne of the few remaining examples of the incinerators designed by W B Griffin and E M Nicholls between 1929-38.Register of the National Estate
Australian Forestry School1926YarralumlaNow part of CSIRO
Westridge House1928YarralumlaPrivate Residence owned by the CSIRO.
Institute of AnatomyActon
Mount Stromlo Administration Building1924Badly damaged by bushfires in 2003.Fenced off from the public.Listed on Commonwealth Heritage List.
Fenner House
Royal Swedish EmbassyYarralumlaNominated to the Commonwealth Heritage List
Canberra Olympic Pool1955?CivicBuilt in the post war International Style the pool was designed by Ian Slater of the Department of Works.Register of the National Estate
Former Forrest Fire Station & Residence1938ForestDesigned by Edwin Henderson and Cuthbert Whitley, the buildings are an example of typical Canberra inter-war functionalism.House the Canberra Fire Brigade Museum, Register of the National Estate
Canberra Grammar School and Chapel1929-64Red HillChurch school complex which is a good example of the inter-war Gothic style.Register of the National Estate
Barton Conference Centre
Braddon Urban Conservation AreaBraddon
Forrest Urban Conservation AreaForrest
Mercure Hotel Canberra1926-27Braddon
Hotel KurrajongBarton
Manuka Housing PrecinctGriffith
Mackie House
Cater House
Birch House
Fisher Government HousingFisher
Wilson House
Swinger Hill Stages 1 & 2 Cluster HousingPhillip
Beaufort House
Kanangra Court
Arnold Grove
Forrest Townhouses
Northbourne Housing Precinct Dickson & LynehamLyneham. Dickson and Owen Flats were designed by Sydney Ancher.Listed on RSTCA.
Vasey Crescent Houses
Calthorpes' HouseRed Hill
Dickson LibraryDickson
General Bridges' Grave1920Royal Military College, DuntroonMemorial Grave of designed by architect Walter Burley GriffinCommonwealth Heritage List
ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St PaulCommonwealth Heritage List
Changi ChapelRoyal Military College, DuntroonCommonwealth Heritage List
ANU Drill HallActonCommonwealth Heritage List
ANZ Bank Building
Monaro MallCivicNow part of the Canberra Centre
Colonial Mutual Building
Yarralumla brickworksYarralumlaClosed to the public
Cotter Pumping Station & Electrical Sub-stationConfluence of the Cotter and Murrumbidgee RiversClosed to the public, visible from the Cotter Road.
East Block Government OfficesParkesCommonwealth Heritage List
West Block Government OfficesParkesCommonwealth Heritage List
USA Chancery, Residence & PrecinctYarralumla
Law Courts of the ACT & PrecinctCivic
Robert Garran Offices
Canberra Baptist Church & Manse
St Paul's Church of England
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Townhouse Motor Inn
RAIA Headquarters
Old Parliament HouseCommonwealth Heritage List, National Heritage List
Girlalang Primary SchoolGirralang
Corroboree Park
de QuettevilleHughes
Barton Court
John Gorton Building1927 (foundation built then cancelled); 1956 (rebuilt)ParkesAn Art Deco building that was built over the span of several decades. Construction initially began in 1927, before it was quickly cancelled due to budgetary constraints and substandard foundations. Construction started over in 1946, and the building finally opened in 1956.Listed on the Commonwealth heritage register
Irish Embassy
Northbourne FlatsBraddon & Turner
Manning Clark House
Trade Offices
Evans Crescent Housing Precinct
The Pines
Sri Lankan Embassy
Allawah & Bega Flats
Campbell Group Housing
Kingston Transport Depot
Open Systems House
ANU Cottage No 3ActonCommonwealth Heritage List
CSC Building
Canberra National Seventh Day Adventist Church
Guardian House

Post World War II

NameYear establishedLocationDescription and significancePreservation and access
Canberra Olympic Pool1953—1955CivicModernist public pool by Commonwealth Department of Public Works architect Ian Slater, with Australia's first concrete diving tower. Designed in 1953, winner of the 1955 Sulman Medal.Open to the public.
University House1954Acton
The Shine Dome1959ActonThe Dome is thought to be only example in Australia of Geometric Structuralism and was designed by Sir Roy Grounds.The Shine Dome is houses the offices of the Australian Academy of Science, it is occasionally open for public lectures. It is listed on the National Heritage List.
Reserve Bank of Australia1963-65City CentreAustralia's first national central bank, in minimalist style.Commonwealth Heritage List
National Carillon1970ParkesAn example of the late twentieth century Brutalist style designed by architects Cameron Chisholm Nicol and forms a part of the Parliamentary Triangle. It was given to Australia by the British Government to commemorate Canberra's 50th anniversary.Open to the public and listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Cameron Offices1970-77BelconnenDesigned by John Andrews, in the late Twentieth Century Brutalist Style.Wings 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the complex were demolished in 2007-08. Wings 3, 4, and 5, and the bridge still remain and are on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Canberra School of Music1976ActonDesigned in the Late Twentieth-Century Brutalist style with strong sculptural forms by Daryl Jackson and Evan Walker. The building includes the 1500 seat Llewellyn Hall.Commonwealth Heritage List
Hotel located within the ANUCommonwealth Heritage List
Toad Hall1977ActonStudent residence in late twentieth century late modern style designed by internationally acclaimed architect John Andrews.ANU student residence, Commonwealth Heritage List
ACT Police HeadquartersCity CentreRAIA register
High Court of Australia1975-80ParkesThe High Court building, designed by Christopher Kringas, Edwards Madigan Torzillo and BriggsCommonwealth Heritage List
Burgmann CollegeActonRAIA register
UC Student Residences Group 22Bruce
Research School of Biological ScienceActon
Edmund Barton Building1970-74Barton, Australian Capital TerritoryBuilding was designed by Harry Seidler. It is 'outstanding example of the Late Twentieth-Century International Style of architecture in Australia and is the largest such example in the National Capital'.Commonwealth Heritage List
National Gallery of Australia1973-82Parkes, Australian Capital TerritoryNational Gallery was designed by Colin Madigan and built from reinforced concrete.The Gallery and the adjoining sculpture garden are open to the public and are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
RG Menzies BuildingActonCommonwealth Heritage ListThe building holds the ANU collections relating to Asia and the Pacific, theses, Rare books, special collections and the United Nations collection. It is open to the public and listed on the ACT Heritage Register.
Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture1999BartonA Christian ecumenical centre and chapel. Associated with Saint Mark's National Theological Centre and Charles Sturt University.Open to the public.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2008 . Tharwa Bridge to reopen today for light traffic . Canberra Times . 18 March 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081208033638/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/tharwa-bridge-to-reopen-today-for-light-traffic/1256207.aspx . 8 December 2008 . dmy-all .
  2. Web site: Sign Posted Bridge Restrictions in the ACT. 20 November 2016.