Address: 112-118 Elizabeth Street (corner of Little Collins Street)
Built: 1888
Then: Photographed ca. 1890
Now: Photographed 2010
This Victorian building in the Queen Anne style still stands on the corner of Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets. It was built in 1888 for the City of Melbourne Building Society and its elaborate facade is indicative of the wealth which abounded in Melbourne at this time. I have always been fascinated by the building's incredible array of turrets, balconies and irregular windows. I would love to see this building given a proper clean! Equally as fascinating is the photo itself. Taken in 1890, you can see some Melburnians of the late 19th century, a horse and cart, and a moving tram (which I have tried to capture myself in the photo below!)
The old photo reveals an interesting building to the left of Little Collins Street which has since been demolished. Unfortunately, I cannot find any information on it! The new photo shows that it has been replaced by a more modern grey building. On the top of the building reads the sign 'Hoddle House.' This no doubt refers to Robert Hoddle, the Surveyor General of Victoria 1851-53, to whom we owe the grid layout of the CBD. If anyone has information on either the demolished building or its replacement 'Hoddle House' please let me know!
Inside Hoddle House near the Lifts (enter from Little Collins Street)
References:
The City of Melbourne i-Heritage Database
Photo Credits
Above: Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
Below: My own
