"A Palace for Horses" - Conservatorium of Music

As we approached the end of our public art walk we viewed the building that was originally designed to be the stables for the new Government House that Governor Macquarie had planned to build in the Government Domain. It is the Conservatorium of Music formally the Government Stables.

In 1816 Governor Macquarie commissioned Francis Greenway to design an impressive  residence and stables in the castellated style.

Due to his penchant for building and what was termed his extravagance in his term of office Governor Macquarie's vision was only partially completed, that being the stables we see now.

 
                                         View from the Old Mill Garden in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The positioning of the stables at the time determined the style and site of the second Government House.

In recent times the Governor of NSW has again taken residence in Government House.