Menu
The Grace Hotel
The Grace Hotel, affectionately known as ‘The Grace’ is located at 77-79 York Street Sydney. It was designed by architects Morrow & Gordon, and built by Kell & Rigby in the late 1920s. It was modelled on Chicago’s Tribune Tower. The building was opened by the Lord Mayor in July 1930.
The Art Deco building served as the Grace Brothers headquarters and at that time was often referred to as the 'Grace Building'. Two levels were department store, and the remainder of the building was office space for the company and other merchants.
It was not successful as a department store, with shoppers preferring George Street. During World War II it became the Sydney headquarters of the US armed forces. It was compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth Government in 1945. An air-raid shelter was constructed in the basement around the same time.
The building was purchased in 1995 by Malaysia’s Low Yat Group for redevelopment as a 382-room luxury hotel. In the extensive renovation, many original features were restored. It opened as a hotel in June 1997 and was listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1980 and the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999 .
References:
https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen/2019/grace-hotel
http://www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/grace-building.html
CollectionGrace Brothers / MyerSignificant BuildingsYork StreetClarence Street