The Union Buildings in Pretoria were designed by Sir Herbert Baker for the Government of the Union of South Africa. The text says Baker designed them in 1908 and construction began in 1909, while the infobox gives a start of November 1, 1910, when the cornerstone was laid.
The style is Neoclassical, based on the Italian Renaissance, with English Renaissance elements, Edwardian lower levels and Cape Dutch upper levels and interiors. It uses light sandstone, on-site granite foundations and stinkwood and Rhodesian teak interiors. Both sources give a length of 285 meters (935 feet). A semicircular colonnade joins two wings with twin-domed towers, and an amphitheater sits in a former quarry.
Nelson Mandela was inaugurated here in 1994, and the amphitheater was renamed for him in 2013. It is the seat of government and the presidential offices. Fairview Avenue is closed to non-officials, but the gardens host public gatherings.
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