2012_Architecture_Old_Melbourne

= 19th Melbourne Century Architecture = Melbourne was settled in 1835 but it wasn't till the 1850s a lot of buildings were built. This was of course fuelled by the Gold Rush. The population increased by thousands each year, increasing the need for more buildings and those buildings were payed for with gold. On this page I will be talking about some of these buildings.

Parliament House
Parliament house is located on Spring St, East Melbourne at the edge of the Melbourne City Centre. It has been the seat of the Parliament of Victoria since 1855 and hosted The Parliament of Australia between 1907 and 1927. It is the tallest 19th century building in Australia as most buildings were no bigger than two stories. The building is a typical example of Roman Revival architecture as it consists of round arches, semicircular arches on the windows and belt courses.

On the order of Charles Latrobe, Robert Hoodle, a well-known surveyor of the Port Phillip District, decided that the most suitable position would be on the eastern hill on top of Bourke St as it could look over the city at the time. The design was decided by a competition that was open to the public. John Knight's design won first prize, 500 pounds, but it was never used. Instead the government architect, Charles Pasley, used his own design. Observers have theorized that Pasley's design was based on the Leed Town Hall in England. Peter Kerr later altered the design, making it more unique. In December 1855 construction started in stages. Victorian Legislative Assembly and Victorian Legislative Council were finished in 1856, followed by the library in 1860 and after that it was the Great Hall and the Vestibule in 1879. It was finally finished with the addition of the north wing in 1892 and the refreshment room in 1929. Pasley and Kerr's design included a dome, which was never built due to the 1890s depression (loss of gold).

Hotel Windsor
Dubbed the Duchess of Spring St, Hotel Windsor is one of Melbourne's last Neo-Renaissance buildings as well the last hotel of its era. It is located on 111 Spring St and It has a five star rating. It is a historical venue as the Constitution of Australia, the supreme law of the Commonwealth Government, was drafted there in 1898. The hotel is currently planning a major renovate in early 2013. It opened in 1863 as The Grand Hotel, built by Thomas Cockram and Co. and designed by Charles Webb. At first it contained 200 rooms, but was extended to 360 rooms when it was changed to the Grand Coffee Palace in 1888. Webb, who was also in charge of the extension, added the twin cupola-capped French second empire towers. In 1921-22 the hotel got its license back and started renovations to the building, mostly to the main lounge and dining room. It is now currently named Hotel Windsor, before that being Windsor Hotel.

Princes Bridge
Princes Bridge is currently located at St Kilda Rd, South Bank. It's the first (proper) bridge across the Yarra. There has been two Princes Bridge; both were in the same spot.

Charles Latrobe organized a private company to build the original bridge in 22 April 1840. However it was delayed due to location. LaTrobe preferred end of Elizabeth St but the Company wanted Swanston St. But in the end the Company got choice. So in 9 June 1845 the bridge was opened as a toll bridge. It began as a free bridge on 15 November 1850. One year after that gold was discovered. Not only was there an increase in population, the Yarra's main concern was shipping traffic. As well as modifying the Yarra, they also made a new Princes Bridge. Designed by John Grainger and built by David Munro, the current Princes Bridge opened on 4 October 1888

Heritage Listing
All of the above are heritage listed. Heritage listing is a way of protecting old buildings. It is given to buildings that some cultural significance in Victoria. Heritage listed buildings go on the Victorian Heritage Register. Buildings on the Victorian Heritage Register cannot be demolished or renovated too much. This protects Melbourne's heritage even if they are not being used for their original purpose. Some heritage listed buildings in the CBD are City Baths, Government House, National Gallery of Victoria, Old Melbourne Gaol, Royal Exhibition Building, State Library, Old Treasury Building, Melbourne Town and Flinders Street Station.

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