...(this) pile of a building like a veritable 'poem in stone' adorns the northern portion of Macquarie Street.In 1856 New South Wales was a granted responsible government.

[1] During the later years of the nineteenth century, while some former responsibilities were removed from the authority of the Colonial Secretary, it remained a pre-eminently prestigious and important political position.

James Barnet, the Colonial Architect, designed an impressive multi-storied building to occupy the six lots in an L-shaped portion of the block fronting bridge Street in the period.

In 1880 it was reported that work on the Colonial Secretary's Building was completed at a final cost of £81,558/19/1 It was noted, though, that the finishing trades were still ongoing at that time, having spent over 42,620 pounds upon them.

[1] The modifications made to the building in the first years of its existence suggest that the original plan was not comprehensive in addressing the needs of the various departments that were to occupy it.

Tenders were called in March of the same year for the resumption of the terrace houses and yards that occupied the site of the proposed extension to the building.

The new building generally was designed to house that department and would free the Board room of the office which was then occupied by the Public Works Committee.

Plans were prepared for a private stair for the Minister for Health in 1920, for a roof over the bridge connecting the old and new buildings in 1924, extensions to the ladies room on the ground floor in 1927 as well as several other minor conversions and alterations.

The construction of the State Office Block in the 1960s and the subsequent relocation of the Public Works Departments there allowed the Chief Secretary's Building to be renovated and re-used for several new purposes.

[1] The original building was designed by Barnet in what is now called the Victorian Free Classical style; characteristics of this style are the massive basement wall with superimposed classical orders and circular arched openings, wide arcaded balconies and balustraded parapets behind which are the barely visible low pitched hipped roofs.

When Vernon added to and extended this building he chose the somewhat different, though related, Victorian Second Empire style, the chief characteristics of which can be seen in the iron crested mansard roofs and the pavilion dome.

A fifth floor and dome were added in the 1890s by Barnet's successor Walter Liberty Vernon in the Victorian Second Empire style,[6] as well as an extension south at 50 Phillip Street.

The building's design and furnishings reflect in large part the taste of the first Colonial Secretary, Sir Henry Parkes.

[8] The room is very well preserved, with period furniture, paintings of a young Queen Victoria and James Cook, and bronzes of several British Prime Ministers including Palmerston.

[9][10] It is open to the public; several historical displays interpret the building's history, and the glass lift shafts allow archaeological viewing of the construction.

Archaeological evidence of the most eastern extension of First Government House may be located under the street and footpath to the west of the Chief Secretary's Building.

Other alterations included: The Chief Secretary's Building is of national significance by reason of its historic, social, architectural, aesthetic and scientific values.

[1] After the institution of responsible government in 1856 the office of the Chief Secretary was almost continuously held until the twentieth century by the Premier of NSW further underlining its important role.

[1] The locations, size and lavish treatment graphically demonstrate the importance of the departments that were housed there, the social hierarchy of its occupants as well as the practical workings of the fully developed late nineteenth century bureaucracy.

It embodies two of the most significant projects of Barnet and Vernon and was ranked, by contemporary accounts, with pre-eminent public works of the time such as the GPO.

[1] Through its expansion and growing politicisation during the first half of the nineteenth century, it achieved the most far reaching powers of any of the administrative departments of the colonial bureaucracy.

[1] Because of the dual political/administrative connections of this office it was associated with several outstanding and prominent figures in both the social and political life of NSW and, because of the significance of that state, Australia.

It forms a particularly important component in an area that, since its election for the site of First Government House, has been associated with the upper echelons of political and administrative life in the country.

It has close physical proximity to (second) Government House, the NSW Parliamentary buildings and the principal offices of the main departments, Treasury, Lands and Education.

[1] The building is of historical importance because of its demonstration of the fully developed nineteenth century public service and the practical workings of that bureaucracy.

The internal plan layout, individual spaces and degree of elaboration of finishes demonstrate the dual hierarchy of its users as well as the specific departmental organisation.

[1] The finishes and artworks purposely bought for the building, many from the Sydney International Exhibition and some commissioned in London, are of the highest quality and lavishness.

The Chief Secretary's Building has social significance because it was the workplace of departments including Public Works which, more than other, had overwhelming influence on all aspects of life at every level of society.

The building contains a unique collection of objects acquired from the 1879 International Exhibition, the choice of which was representative of the historical, artistic, and literary tastes of Sir Henry Parkes.

[2] A blue plaque was unveiled on the building on 6 August 2024 to commemorate Kathleen Butler, 'Godmother of Sydney Harbour Bridge' at her former place of work.