[Government House, Sydney].

When it was completed in 1845, Government House was the most sophisticated example of Gothic Revival architecture in the colony. When after years of expanding the first Governor's residence, a new residence was commisioned by Governor Sir Richard Bourke. Believing colonial architects unable to handle such an important taste, Burke turned to England and Edward Blore, the architect to King William IV. The plans were sent to Sydney in 1834, although Blore himself never visited. Construction was begun in 1836, overseen by Colonial Engineer, Captain George Barney and Colonial Architect, Mortimer Lewis.