Parliament House, Adelaide

Originally built as a single room brick chamber in 1843, the building was then extended in 1857 to accommodate the new bicameral Parliament.

A commission, appointed by the Governor of South Australia, was set up in 1874 to adjudicate a design competition for the new building that would form the basis of ‘New’ Parliament House.

[1] A design by prominent Adelaide architect Edmund Wright and his partner Lloyd Taylor was selected as the winner.

This Greek Revival design featured ornate columns of the Corinthian order, impressive towers, and a grand dome.

Economic depression in the 1890s delayed the completion of Parliament House, and it was not until 1913 that plans were sketched for the East Wing.

The project was taken up again in the 1930s following a £100,000 gift by Sir John Langdon Bonython, who sent a cheque to the State Premier with a note indicating the money should be used to complete the half finished Parliament house on North Terrace.

When finally completed, the British Houses Of Parliament were so delighted the building was completed after such a long time they organised to have the Lion forming part of a Royal Coat of Arms at the Westminster Houses Of Parliament removed from the stonework and shipped to Adelaide.