My Favourite Building: Sydney Opera House

SALLY Anderson (below) is an account director at Willoughby PR which represents clients in the property sector including Tesco, Calthorpe Estates and Miller Homes. Here, she recalls how her time in Australia started a love affair with a global icon.

If you would like to take part in ‘My Favourite Building’, please email tamlyn.jones@thebusinessdesk.com.

HAVING planned my year in Oz for quite some time, I had such a massive sense of anticipation when it finally came to visiting landmarks such as Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and, of course, Ramsey Street (a highlight of my trip!).

But, I must admit, when I first walked around Circular Quay and saw the Opera House, I felt a little disappointed – to begin with.

The Opera House is undoubtedly a massive cultural icon. Designed in 1957 by Danish architect, the late Jørn Utzon, the building is as much a symbol of Australia as the native Kangaroo or Uluru (Ayres Rock to you and me).

It’s so well-known there is no need for me to waste my word count describing the architecture; however on first sight, it’s true to say that the building didn’t quite match up to my expectations.

I’m pleased to say my first impressions completely changed (I blame jet lag) as I came to be in awe of the building. The longer I stayed in Sydney, the more I fell in love with the city and I also fell in love with the Opera House.

Time and time again, I found myself drawn towards the building and the neighbouring Botanical Gardens, whether I was on a lunch break from one of my many temporary jobs, which subsidised my travels, or spending my weekends discovering Sydney.

I quickly appreciated the building has the power truly to wow and it looks stunning from so many aspects – my favourite view being from a boat travelling across the Harbour with the sun reflecting off the building’s sail-like architecture.

Australians are all too aware the Sydney Harbour vista, dominated by the Opera House and the magnificent Harbour Bridge, is one of many jewels in its crown and has become a natural focal point for any national celebration.

I was lucky enough to be in Sydney for the start of the new millennium, and for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, and the Opera House played a starring role in all of these occasions.

Naturally, the building has received many plaudits and on June 28, 2007, was recognised as one of the most outstanding places on Earth with its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Sydney Opera House’s very own website attests this is perhaps the best known building of the 20th century and who am I to argue?

For what it’s worth, it’s also my favourite building.