10 May 2025
This great shot by #MarkStrizic has been used to illustrate stories about #WhelanTheWrecker, but without saying what building it was – then I noticed the little shell under the window and yes it was Shell Corner, on the corner of Bourke & William Streets. Ha! (Update : @historyvictoria has some fine colour photos too, pics 3,4, both 1958).
It was built in 1906 as the Liverpool Buildings, designed by the prolific #NahumBarnet, and became known as Shell Corner by the late 1920s. It was demolished in the late 1950s to make way for what was then the super modern, all-air conditioned 17 storey Shell Corner, designed by US architects #SkidmoreOwingsAndMerrill, with locals #BuchanLairdAndBuchan.
It was in turn demolished about 1990 for a #HarrySeilder tower that never happened, remaining vacant until the rather dull complex there now was completed 2008, designed by #batessmart; at least it’s got a nice sort of laneway #goldsboroughlane.
1st Image from the 2009 Strizic book, pics 4, 6 @library_vic, pic 5 the herald vis fb, last streetview.
Storey of Melbourne 