Vaults of the Past: The Hauntings of the Old Treasury Building

Standing on the corner of Macquarie and Bridge Streets, the InterContinental Sydney

is a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture. Long before it was a luxury hotel, the sandstone structure served as the New South Wales Treasury, housing the colony's gold reserves behind massive iron doors.

While the building has been meticulously restored, the original vaults remain—and many staff and guests believe they aren't the only things left over from the 1800s. As far as mysterious places in the CBD go, the Treasury Building is famous for its "diligent" spirits.

The Diligent Treasury Clerk

The most enduring report at the Treasury Building involves a man believed to be a former clerk or accountant.

• The Sighting: Witnesses have reported seeing a man in a waistcoat and spectacles wandering the corridors of the lower levels, often carrying a stack of ledgers.

• The Vanishing: He is known to walk toward the original vault doors and simply disappear through the solid steel and stone.

• The Behavior: Unlike many "scary" ghosts, the Clerk appears to be perpetually at work, seemingly unaware of the modern hotel guests around him.

The Cold Pockets of the Vaults

The lower levels of the building, where the original gold storage rooms were located, are a focal point for paranormal activity.

• The Temperature Drop: Guests have frequently reported sudden, localized "ice-cold" spots in the hallways near the basement bars and function rooms, even when the air conditioning is off.

• The Sound of Footsteps: Late at night, security staff have recorded the sound of heavy, rhythmic footsteps echoing through the stone corridors, resembling the "beat" of a 19th-century night watchman on patrol.

The Whispering Elevators

Similar to other historic buildings in the city, the transition between the old sandstone structure and the modern hotel tower has created "glitches" in the atmosphere.

• The Voices: Guests using the elevators in the historic wing have reported hearing muffled conversations in an old-fashioned dialect, only for the elevator to be empty upon arrival.

• The Sensation: Many report the feeling of being "brushed past" by someone in a hurry, particularly in the narrow service corridors that connect the old offices.

How to Visit

The Treasury Building (InterContinental Sydney) is located at 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney.

• Access: While the hotel is a private business, the public can access the lobby and the historic The Treasury bar and restaurant located within the original courtyard.

• The Experience: To see the original vault doors and feel the "weight" of the stone, book a table for afternoon tea or an evening drink in the atrium.

• Outbound Link: For a look at the original 1840s blueprints and the history of the gold rush that filled these vaults, visit the Museum of Sydney, located just across the street. If you're interested in exploring more haunted locations nearby, check out The Garrison Church in The Rocks.
  
  

  Unlock the Supernatural Secrets

  The "Clerk of the Treasury" is just one of the figures we've tracked through the city's financial district. For the exact coordinates of the "most active" vault rooms and a map of every haunted colonial building in the CBD, you need the Supernatural Sydney Guide.