November 2018
The grand 1923 frontage of the #FederalMills in Geelong which I’d read about finally made the effort – what is now a series of flexible office spaces started out as WW1 mills built by the Federal Government to make cloth out of wool for uniforms, sold in 1923 when this bit added, which faces the main highway though there’s a 40s factory in front so you don’t see it till you go into the carpark. No architect that I could find.
update 2025
I didn’t look around much in 2018, it’s actually a huge site, bought 2013 by local family the Hamiltons, the challenge was to do something with the ‘14-acre site with 35,000m2 of ex-industrial buildings that once employed thousands.’ So it’s mainly refurbished as offices, but a few cafes too, and recently the power house has become an events venue. It’s all quite remarkable given it’s still surrounded by industries and a highway, but it feels nice, and lots of carparking. I feel like there isn’t anything in Melbourne quite like it, all the old factories get demolished or turned into apartments. All photos after the first one from the internet. Update : @jdflemington did some research and it’s likely the front is c1928 by Frederick C Purnell.
Storey of Melbourne 