Martin Place is located in the central business district of Sydney. The area is home to major banks and corporations and is a bustling hive of activity, attracting celebrities and TV and film productions due to its exclusive entertainment areas, fine dining establishments and town square atmosphere. Martin Place is an upmarket zone of Sydney with architecturally splendid buildings ranging from Neoclassical to Contemporary. The area has also appeared in many movies including in the popular cult trilogy The Matrix and Superman Returns.
Martin Place is often thought of as the beating heart of Sydney, and was the first port of call for new arrivals in the city due to the awe-inspiring architecture of the General Post Office and Commonwealth Bank Building. Main points of interest include The Cenotaph which commemorates Australian forces who served in the First World War. There is a hidden amphitheatre behind the water fountain on Pitt Street, with many performances held here throughout the summer months. Martin Place is also a wonderful shopping area with designer boutiques, high-end fashion stores and vibrant pop up fresh flower stalls on the street corners. With the CBD being home to many corporations, consulates and banks, it is only fitting that there are plenty of places for relaxation and rejuvenation. Luxury hotels can be found across this sector in addition to patisseries, wine bars, and fine dining establishments.
Reaching Martin Place from Sydney Airport is easy, as visitors can take the train from Airport Station Platform 1 and journey to the central station. From here the train to Martin Place on the Eastern suburbs and Illawarra line takes just over 20 minutes. The main rail station is located on Macquarie Street which exits onto Martin Place. There are also buses which transport visitors from across the city to Martin Place, where the Sydney Opera House, Sea Life Aquarium, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Art Gallery of New South Wales are just a short walk away.
Martin Place began with the construction of the General Post Office Building around several existing city lanes in 1863. In 1892 after it was completed in a Venetian style architecture, the street widened and named Martin Place. In 1913, the areas of Martin Place and Moore Street began to attract corporations and banks, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia made the street its headquarters, many followed suit and the rest is history.