Beehive Corner, Adelaide Travel Guide

Beehive Corner stands as a testament to Adelaide's rich history and architectural heritage. The building, located at the prominent intersection of Rundle Mall and King William Street, has been a focal point of the city's commercial and social life since the mid-19th century.The original Beehive building was erected in the early 1840s. In 1849, Brewer and Robertson, two tailors from England, opened a drapery shop called 'The Beehive'. The name was chosen to evoke the image of a busy trading center. The current building was constructed in 1895, designed by architect George Soward in the Gothic Revival style. Its design is highly unusual, as the Gothic Revival style was almost exclusively used for ecclesiastical buildings. The building features a distinctive corner turret topped with a gilded beehive and bee, which has become an iconic symbol of Adelaide. The words 'Beehive Corner 1895' are carved into the turret.Over the years, Beehive Corner has housed various businesses, including confectioneries and chocolate shops. In the early 1900s, it was home to Carl Stratmann's chocolate store, later acquired by Alfred Haigh, marking the birth of Haigh's Chocolates, which still operates in the building today. For over a century, 'Meet you at the Beehive Corner' has been a common phrase among Adelaideans, solidifying its place in the city's culture. The building was restored to its former glory in the late 1990s, including a new bee made of aluminum gilded with gold.