Parliament Buildings (Barbados)

The Parliament Buildings
Location within Barbados
Former names	The Public Buildings
Alternative names	Parliament House
General information
Status	Complete
Architectural style	Gothic (neo-gothic, with a local or vernacular flavour)
Location	Bridgetown,  Barbados
Address	Parliament Square
Coordinates	Coordinates: 13°05′49.15″N 59°36′50.11″W / 13.0969861°N 59.6139194°W / 13.0969861; -59.6139194
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Cost	£25 000
Client	Barbadian government
Owner	The Crown

The Parliament Buildings (also known as The Public Buildings, or more rarely Parliament House), is the seat of the Parliament of Barbados. Built between 1870 and 1874, the buildings have been the meeting place for both chambers of Parliament since 16 June 1874, and a former site of Colonial administration of Barbados. It consists of two buildings in the neo-Gothic architectural style, and are reminiscent of the Victorian era of Great Britain.

The buildings are situated along the north bank of the Constitution River and are bordered by Upper Broad Street and National Heroes Square to the south; strategically at the heart of the capital city Bridgetown. Prior to the establishment of the buildings the legislature met at the Town Hall building on Coleridge Street.

In 1989 the Public Buildings were officially renamed the Parliament Buildings by Act of Parliament. In 2011 both buildings were designated as UNESCO protected properties within the World Heritage Site of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison area.

Although Parliament was established in 1639, these buildings which house the Parliament were only constructed in the late 19th century. The reason behind the erection of these buildings was twofold. Firstly, there was the need to find a safe place to store the island’s public records, which prior to the construction of the Parliament buildings, were stored in various government offices located around Bridgetown. Secondly, the island’s legislature needed an appropriate place to convene. From the establishment of the House of Assembly in 1639 to the erection of the Parliament buildings, the legislature shifted from building to building around Bridgetown, and at several instances it actually met at taverns and alehouses. This of course was frowned upon by many of the island’s previous Governors, several of whom proposed that money be voted for the erection of an appropriate building to house Parliament.

Several plans were made for the erection of a building for Parliament. In 1701 a house was constructed within James Fort, but it was later used as the island’s Common Gaol. In 1844, there were plans to erect a Sessions House but these plans were later abandoned when a great fire in Bridgetown allowed Government to find a more suitable site.