Original post 13 March 2020:

Hard to believe but the part above the cornice of the left section was built in 1997-8!

The #CommercialTravellersAssociation hotel and attached offices in #FlindersStreet were completed in 1914, the taller hotel part built in anticipation of the 132ft put in place in 1916, while the office part was built lower then intended (not sure why).

The architects #TompkinsAndTompkins won a limited competition (but had done the earlier HQ two blocks up) with a design that really heralded the beginning of local architects looking to the US rather than England for inspiration. Those white glazed tiles and the #AmericanBeauxArts style of base, middle and big cornice on top and generally classical details, very NY and Chicago.

Another interesting fact is the hotel closed in 1974 and was abandoned until the reconstruction; I was taken inside in the 80s a couple of times, very spooky ! Also the bar scenes in On The Beach were filmed in the top front bar, which looks very ordinary now. And yes the left part Commerce House was the location of the #TastyNightclub, place of the infamous raid, access from the rear lane.

24 January 2015:

The rather super #domed #hall of the 1914 Commercial Travellers Hotel, designed by #TompkinsAndTompkins. Fabulous tall space, between the reception and the former dining room, in overscaled stylised Baroque. Probably inspired, like the facade, by the big American hotels going up at the time. Hard to believe this whole building was sitting abandoned for about 30 years. I got taken in in the 80s for an explore, and saw this in the gloom and pigeon poop. Like wow. No #chandelier then of course. Cleaned and restored and reopened as a hotel in 1998.

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