The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) has received much attention lately, due to the public’s blaring critique of the plans to replace the coloured stained-glass windows with clear glass. This proposal was pushed by some of the retail brands within the QVB and the co-owner, Vicinity Centres. The public backlash has led to the withdrawal of the Development Application.

While these alterations were described as minor and technically permitted within heritage guidelines, Heritage 21 is of the opinion that the stained-glass windows should endure. And it appears now that they are here to stay.

Heritage 21 has been involved with several fit outs at the site for different clients over the years and prepared a tenancy guide for the QVB. The State-listed site holds immense heritage significance. It is considered a rare and outstanding example of the grand retail or city market buildings from the Victorian-Edwardian era in Australia, and the Victorian Neo-Romanesque architectural style, scale, detailing and craftsmanship is a critical part of its outstanding status. The QVB was designed by prominent City and NSW Government Architect, George McRae and constructed from 1893-1898. The stained-glass windows were a key architectural feature of that design and still are an iconic part of the building’s appearance.

The QVB is also a representation of heritage conservation, and the respect and appreciation people have towards heritage buildings. The site faced much criticism due to the poor financial return in the early years after opening its doors. Tenants were constantly changing and making alterations. The remodelling schemes in 1917 and the mid-1930s were expensive and led to much of the interior spaces being destroyed. The QVB also felt the impact of the Great Depression. Proposals for the demolition of the site surfaced during the 1950s, with pressure increasing in the 1960s-1970s. The stained-glass windows also needed to be replaced after they were damaged by the Hilton Hotel bombing in 1978.

However, plans to demolish the QVB were stopped by the public in the 1980s, as awareness of heritage conservation grew. The public wanted the building to be saved because of its historical importance and were determined that a historical, museum-like approach was taken for its refurbishment, which was supported by the National Trust (NSW) and the Australian Institute of Architects. The reconstruction of the stained-glass windows was an important aspect of the restoration, with many stained-glass workers and apprentices involved in the process.

Now, the public has requested that the QVB remains as it is. The stained-glass windows generally appear above eye-level. Any obstruction to views inside the building would likely be minimal.

More importantly, the QVB has become a distinct and renowned icon of Sydney’s heritage, appreciated by locals and tourists alike. The QVB reputedly receives 33 million people per year and has survived the rise of suburban Westfields and other shopping mall complexes, as well as online shopping. Businesses who want to operate from a heritage building ought to have a sense of custodianship and a social responsibility towards the heritage features. Retailers should respect the heritage in exchange for the central city location and the novelty of operating in a unique building like the QVB, even if that means there are some quirks that they have to accommodate. People come to enjoy the QVB’s heritage character and have the experience of shopping in one of the old market arcades, which are becoming less common.

Therefore, Heritage 21 supports the notion to keep the stained-glass windows. We are pleased to see how the public has advocated for their protection and recognises their importance as part of such a remarkable heritage building. It is a great reminder of the positive influence that a community can have on heritage conservation.

Heritage 21

22 January 2026