Union Buildings
The Union Buildings (Afrikaans: Uniegebou) form the official seat of the South African Government and also house the offices of the President of South Africa. The imposing buildings are located in Pretoria, atop Meintjeskop at the northern end of Arcadia, close to historic Church Square. The large gardens of the Buildings are nestled between Government Avenue, Vermeulen Street East, Church Street, the R104 and Blackwood Street. Fairview Avenue is a closed road through which only officials can enter the Union Buildings. Though not in the centre of Pretoria, the Union Buildings occupy the highest point of Pretoria, and constitute a South African national heritage site.
| Union Buildings | |
|---|---|
The Union Buildings viewed from the Gardens, in the foreground is the equestrian statue of General Louis Botha. | |
Location within Pretoria Union Buildings (Gauteng) Union Buildings (South Africa) Union Buildings (Africa) | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neoclassicism of Italian Renaissance, with Cape Dutch and Edwardian style detail. |
| Town or city | Meintjieskop, Arcadia, Pretoria |
| Country | South Africa |
| Construction started | 1 November 1910 |
| Completed | 1913 |
| Client | South Africa |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 285m (length) 100m (width) 60m (height) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Sir Herbert Baker |
The Buildings are one of the centres of political life in South Africa; "The Buildings" and "Arcadia" have become metonyms for the South African government. It has become an iconic landmark of Pretoria and South Africa in general, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and an emblem of democracy.
The Buildings are the location of presidential inaugurations.