Once a "monstrosity", Sydney's Queen Victoria Building is now a treasure

In 1986, the QVB finally became Sydney 's elegant commercial cathedral, now highly appreciated

. This weekend, the QVB celebrates its 120th anniversary with an indelible place in the history of the city – a striking example of Romanesque architecture with a majestic dome, a vaulted glass roof and decorative stained glass windows.

It is appreciated for its warm charm; the way he flourishes for Christmas; the old-fashioned tea room; the royal clock that features animated scenes from history, including the (comic) decapitation of King Charles I; the piano that buyers can play; the train sets in the Hobbyco window; and, more gaily, the statue of the royal dog Islay with the voice of John Laws.

"It is hard to imagine that the demolition of such a grandiose building was possible, to make way for a parking lot or an open space" Herald toured this week.

Thirty-three million people spend each year in the building – an average of over 90,000 per day – including commuters, shoppers,

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Sydney city council historian Laila Ellmoos said that demolition was threatening with the rise of cars in the city.

"There was a demand for parking," she said. "And there were different attitudes about buildings like this: it's very ornate and decorative so there would have needed some functional thing like parking. "

Mrs. Ellmoos said that the architect George McRae designed the QVB in the style of a large shopping mall.

" The Strand is another survivor but there was actually five or six other arcades across the city, "she said." This was part of a fashion for a different type of retail experience. "

On the Tour Herald Ms. Douglas revealed the ground floor slopes of QVB towards George Street "in part because at the end of each day they were cleaning up the market and waste and debris they were running on the street.

Surprisingly, there are two domes above the center of the building – a stained glass visible from store floors then a wooden – framed and copper dome above.

The Story Modern QVB A young woman surprised the security guards when she drove a Mini Mini Minor on the ground floor, exiting at Market Street in 1987. Navigating with a curry egg sandwich, Nicole Kidman Called a jeweler and bought Tom Cruise's alliance in 1990.

Seriously, the stai The glass windows were damaged by the Hilton bombing that killed three men in the house. Another side of the street in 1978.

Sydney's sandstone monument survived the boom of the Westfields suburbs and the boom of online shopping. He survived the streetcars that ceased to hit George Street and was long enough to see them coming back.

Built when deliveries were made by horse drawn carts, he saw the monorail that sank Market Street. And at the age of 120, it's hard to imagine anyone who views QVB as an architectural monstrosity.