The historic gates in the heart of Chinatown have been restored to their former glory. Designed using traditional Chinese materials and ornamentation, they were originally completed in 1980. The archways on Dixon Street in Haymarket provide ceremonial entries to a renowned hub of Asian food, business, culture and community. After an extensive restoration project, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO unveiled the upgraded landmark 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," the Lord Mayor said. "The gates have welcomed and mesmerised visitors and locals alike since members of the Dixon Street Chinese Committee imagined and built them. "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. "These gates are more than just built structures. They are a symbol of the Chinese community, its spirit and connection to this place." Using authentic materials, restoration works included:
- replacing concrete lion statues with granite figures
- replacing glazed ceramic roof tiles
- adding 8 phoenix icons and replacing 8 of the original dragon panels
- restoring etched marble panels
- restoring and repainting concrete and timber structures.
Lights to illuminate the gates at night will also be installed. The ceremonial gates were an initiative of the Dixon Street Chinese Committee. The Hon Henry Tsang OAM was the architect who worked with the community to design the gates in the 1970s. "Dixon Street has always been the centre for the Chinese community, where the soul and the spirit is, and the archways anchor the location," Tsang said. "The archways have been expertly restored with authentic materials by the best craftspeople in China and Australia. "Heritage listing the archways allows the Chinese community to proudly share its heritage with our other members of multicultural Australia," he said. The Lord Mayor said the restoration project was the first part of a long-term $44 million revitalisation of the precinct. "Emerging from the pandemic, Council committed to a $44 million program of restoration and support for Chinatown to breathe new life into the historic precinct," the Lord Mayor said. "When we talked to the community about what was needed, restoration of these historic gates was central to all thinking. We have now made good on our commitment to do just that. The gates were also listed as a local heritage item to ensure they are protected into the future. "One of the gates' inscriptions translates to 'continue the past into the future'. That is exactly what we have done and will always do, to ensure Chinatown, with Dixon Street at its heart, remains the centre of everyday life and cultural celebrations for Chinese communities. "Our $44 million program of works will continue, with an upgrade of Dixon Street the next project to get under way. We will improve local streets, public spaces, buildings and shopfronts, in keeping with the area's cultural heritage."
