Sydney Opera House

In the late 1940s, Eugene Goossens, the Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, started lobbying for a new venue for large theater productions. In 1955, an international design competition was launched that received 233 entries, representing architects from 32 countries. In 1957 the winner was announced: Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Construction of the Sydney Opera House commenced 2 years later, in March 1959. Building progressed slowly because of many unforeseen problems and challenges in the construction. As costs increased significantly, tensions between the government and the design team grew. In 1965, the government declared the construction of the Sydney Opera House under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Works, which eventually led to the resignation of Jørn Utzon in 1966. Subsequently, many changes to the original design were implemented. The Sydney Opera House was formally completed in 1973 and it still stands as one of the best knows icons in Sydney.