[1] The Trades Hall was conceived on 14 December 1882 when representatives of thirteen unions met at The Swan with Two Necks Hotel in George Street.

[1] A grant of land was made for the Trades Hall site on 13 October 1885, to the trustees: Henry Copeland (Member of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, MLA) of Newtown, Jacob Garrard (MLA) of Balmain, William Ferrier of Balmain (a stonemason), John Edward West of Woolloomooloo (a plumber and gasfitter), John Richard Talbot of Sydney (iron moulder), John Atkinson of Balmain (a boilermaker), Thomas Caddy of Surry Hills (a draper), and Richard Mooney of Woolloomooloo (a journeyman tailor).

Smedley won a design competition for the building, which was intended for meetings held by working men and as a place where lectures could be given and instruction in literature obtained.

[1][2] An apocryphal has it that in 1932, New South Wales Premier, Jack Lang had the State's money removed from bank accounts and taken to Trades Hall, where the NSW ALP had offices, so that the Federal Government would not be able to seize it.

Although enlarged considerably at three main periods, c. 1900, 1912 and 1916 the additions closely follow the original Victorian neo classical design consisting of sandstone to the ground floor, window trims grouped three to a bay, string courses, cornice and balustered parapet with face brickwork to the remainder.

Its composed facades and tower contribute to the Haymarket area by retaining a nineteenth century character and provide a dominant landmark.

The Trades Hall was held in high esteem by the working community and this was reinforced by Mr Jacob Gerrard's address at the official opening day.

The subsequent rapid growth of the trade Union Movement earlier this century saw the original building enlarged considerably to accommodate its needs.

[1][2] Sydney Trades Hall was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

The Sydney Trades Hall composed facades and tower contribute to the Haymarket area by retaining a nineteenth century character.

The subsequent rapid growth of the trade Union Movement earlier this century saw the original building enlarged considerably to accommodate its needs.

These were made by the Committee (who had offices in the Hall) for unions who had the eight hour work day as part of the conditions of employment in their industry or occupation.