Original post 7 September 2019:

Right on the cnr of Swanston & Bourke is one of the ex- department stores in the CBD- the Leviathan Clothing Store. Big name but not so big building, and in fact it was originally smaller; as built in 1912-13 it was shorter on the Bourke Street side, as shown in the 2nd photo from 1918. Love the great exaggerated #EnglishBaroque brackets and stylised swags, but it’s all a bit lost now behind trees and flags (what’s on them anyway?). It was designed by #BatesPeeblesandSmart, who also designed Buckley’s across the road at the same time (and they’re still around as Bates Smart). It was extended in 1926, in matching style by different architects, Laird & Buchan. After many years of looking shabby it was repainted in 2016 in a light grey, and they even put back a missing bit of the corner swag where a neon sign had once been.

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