Sydney Town Hall Clock Tower

Sydney’s historic Town Hall is not only the most elaborate example of Second Empire Style architecture in Australia, but the 55 metre clock tower has been striking each hour over the city’s oldest street every day since 1884.

Conserving the striking sandstone facade to last another 100 years saw the Arcadis team providing expert façade engineering advice while also undertaking seismic strengthening of the deteriorating clock tower belfry.

To meet a range of heritage imperatives, and keep any visual or aesthetic impact to an absolute minimum, an innovative, cast stainless steel “Vierendeel” cage was used to closely fit the building’s existing structure and form. Media rich, photographic ‘wraps’ also ensure the look and feel of such a high public building was not lost during refurbishment.