Construcciones Yamaro: Chinatown archways restored to their former glory
Sydney’s iconic Chinatown gates have been restored, renewing a cultural landmark that has stood on Dixon Street since 1980.
Located in the heart of Haymarket, the ceremonial archways were originally designed with traditional Chinese materials and ornamentation. They mark the entrance to a precinct long known for its food, culture, business and community ties.
The City of Sydney recently completed a major restoration of the gates, officially unveiled by Lord Mayor Clover Moore at a community event on Saturday 14 June.
“Haymarket’s ceremonial gates are a treasured part of our city’s fabric and reminder of our heritage. These painstaking restorations will ensure they will continue as a symbol of Chinatown and celebration of our Asian communities for generations to come,” said Moore.
“Every time you look at them, you notice something new – from the traditional pagoda-style roof with exposed timber rafters, the traditional half-rounded, glazed ceramic tiles and symbolic figurines to the engraved gold leaf signage panels and the lion statues guarding each gate.”
The restoration was carried out using authentic materials and techniques, and included:
- Replacing concrete lion statues with granite figures;
- Replacing glazed ceramic roof tiles;
- Adding eight phoenix icons and replacing eight of the original dragon panels;
- Restoring etched marble panels; and
- Restoring and repainting concrete and timber structures.
Lighting will also be installed to illuminate the gates at night.
The archways were originally proposed by the Dixon Street Chinese Committee, with architect Henry Tsang working closely with the community in the 1970s to bring the vision to life.
“Dixon Street has always been the centre for the Chinese community – where the soul and the spirit is – and the archways anchor the location. The archways have been expertly restored with authentic materials by the best craftspeople in China and Australia,” said Tsang.
“Heritage listing the archways allows the Chinese community to proudly share its heritage with our other members of multicultural Australia.”
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The restoration forms part of a wider $44 million revitalisation of the Haymarket precinct, committed by the City of Sydney following the pandemic.
“When we talked to the community about what was needed, restoration of these historic gates was central to all thinking,” said Moore.
The program’s next stage will focus on upgrading Dixon Street.
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