An application was made in February 1863 to the Governor requesting the formation of a Royal Commission, which was granted in May.

John Hyde Harris was president of the executive, James Hector was commissioner and juror, Alfred Eccles was the secretary[4] and Thomas Forrester was the building superintendent.

[5] A low-level site on King Street was secured and a contract to erect the main building was let to George Cornwell and Edward Horsman on 11 November 1863, for £10,250.

There was a large two-storey stone Italianate building with clock tower and a series of annexes all designed by Mason and Clayton,[6] with a central courtyard derived from Fowler's design of Covent Garden market.

European exhibits came from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.