George William Gordon House, Duke Street

Gordon House became the official meeting place of the Jamaican government in 1960, replacing Headquarters House, which had served since 1872 but had become too small, outdated, and physically unsuitable for parliamentary use. Unlike Headquarters House, which was originally a private residence, Gordon House was purpose-built with modern facilities such as air conditioning, carpeting, soundproofing, and a council chamber arranged to accommodate the needs of government. Although the government first planned to build its permanent headquarters at National Heroes Park, it ultimately chose the Duke Street site, formerly used as a government parking lot, after recognizing its potential.

Named in honour of National Hero George William Gordon, the building symbolizes Jamaica’s democratic development and Gordon’s commitment to justice, freedom, and the rights of the formerly enslaved and marginalized peasants. Gordon’s advocacy brought him into conflict with Governor Edward John Eyre, and he was unjustly tried and executed after the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865. Designed by the architectural firm Wilson Chong and Hoeck, Gordon House is a two-storey contemporary building with a formal, symmetrical entrance and an L-shaped layout. It was designated as protected national heritage by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust on May 31, 2001.