Gordon House (Jamaica)

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Gordon House
Parliament.jm.jpg
General information
TypeParliament building, government building
Location81 Duke Street, Kingston, Jamaica
Country Jamaica
Coordinates17°58′26″N 76°47′26″W / 17.9740°N 76.7906°W / 17.9740; -76.7906Coordinates: 17°58′26″N 76°47′26″W / 17.9740°N 76.7906°W / 17.9740; -76.7906
Current tenantsParliament of Jamaica
Construction started1959
Completed1960

Gordon House (or George William Gordon House) is the meeting place of the Jamaica Parliament, located at 81 Duke Street in Kingston, close to the old parliament building headquarters.

The house serves as the meeting place of both the Senate and the House of Representatives since independence on August 6, 1962[1]

History[]

The house was built before the 1960s. It became the official seat of the legislature on October 26, 1960. It was named the George William Gordon House in honour and memory of George William Gordon, who served in the Jamaican Parliament. Gordon was accused of instigating the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion and was condemned to death. Earlier, the Parliament met at the Legislature headquarters house that was in use since 1872.[2][3]

Replacement[]

A new parliament building to replace Gordon House will be built on the National Heroes Park, directly north of Gordon House.[4]

Construction on the new parliament building was expected to start in early 2021.[5] However, the start of construction has been delayed until at least 2022.[6]

Parliament chamber[]

The house currently has only one chamber. Visitors are often allowed when Parliament is not in session.[7]

The two-story contemporary building has a symmetrical design at the entrance elevation. It is 'L' shaped with an open courtyard for parking concealed from the adjoining roads.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ "Kingston, Gordon House - Jamaica Travel and Culture .com". www.jamaicatravelandculture.com. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  2. ^ "History". japarliament.gov.jm. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  3. ^ "Gordon House | Moon Jamaica". www.moonjamaica.com. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  4. ^ "Construction to begin for new Parliament building in early 2021". jamaica-gleaner.com. 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  5. ^ "You are being redirected..." jis.gov.jm. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  6. ^ Henry, Balford (19 March 2021). "Construction of new Parliament building set to start next year". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Gordon House | Kingston, Jamaica Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  8. ^ "Jamaica National Heritage Trust - Jamaica - Gordon House". www.jnht.com. Retrieved 2020-10-16.

Sources[]


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