The fabulous #CathedralRoom of the #GothicBank in #CollinsStreet was actually built in 1888-90 as the ‘vestibule’ (a room for informal deals I think) of the #MelbourneStockExchange, designed by the versatile #WilliamPittArchitect (the #callroom, where the shouting part went on, was upstairs). There are plans to turn it into a restaurant, so it’ll be full of chairs and tables I suppose, not a bad thing. Involves turning the end #blindwindows into windows, and the middle a door into a space hollowed out from the #ANZWorldHeadquarters tower. They were windows from 1923-1993, when it was part of the #ESandAbank. I love the floor, which is #prismatictiles / #glassblocks, which got light into the basement, and in turn got light from a skylight above, blocked off in 1923. Maybe they could stick some lights in there somehow ? It’s a beaut space but does feel closed-in, but also lofty and white. Note the #stainedglass window, the only window, which was completely reconstructed from photos in the 1993 renovations. Apparently the big breasted lady is ‘Labour’, and I can see the other pictures are the four continents, similar to the sculptures on the Albert Memorial. The (original) window was by #CottierAndCo, who adopted the #aestheticmovement earlier than others, and it does look a bit pre-Raph and stylised floral almost Art Nouveau.

The original main doors to the Vestibule of the #MelbourneStockExchange, now the #CathedralRoom, and now facing a wall rather than the former central corridor. #WilliamPittArchitect, 1888-1891. Note the SE in #GothicScript still there !

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