28 July 2018:
The #EsplanadeVaults: Having known there were ex-shops under the #UpperEsplanade for like 30 years, finally seen them, thanks #OpenHouseMelbourne.
Built 1891 when the Esplanade was rebuilt to carry #cabletrams, these 10 shops did fine until increasing traffic on the #LowerEsplanade led to removing the verandahs in the 50s and finally bricking them up completely in the 70s. Fun to see, but not much use to anybody, since the access is dangerous, and they’re quite small (in answer to many comments suggesting cafe or artists studios).
Image from the 50s after road widened and verandahs removed, and a good shot from 1932.
12 May 2025
The famous vaults, built as shops, under the Upper Esplanade, St Kilda, now outlined by a mural by Tommy Day III, titled Dance of the Spirit People, completed Nov 2024. It’s nice enough, but maybe better if it was the whole blank wall ? (Update : there was a mural over the whole space just before but some unwell person just kept painting over it).
The shop spaces are still there, behind brick walls, rather small actually; almost impossible to get to next to rushing traffic. People often say ‘bring them back’ or ‘artists studios’, but I don’t see how any use is possible, it’s just nice they’re there and mysterious. Unless we somehow get rid of the traffic.
Going back in time, in the 1950s they looked like they aren’t that busy and lots of cars, then in 1932 the verandahs still there, no cars, then back to 1901.
They were created in 1891 when that part of the Esplanade was widened for the cable trams; previously it was just a grassy slope by the looks. The construction replaced the steps with a long ramp, and the new walls had a rather elaborate cast iron fence, but I couldn’t find a very good photo. That nasty 60s concrete block fence has to go, but nowadays any new fence has to be impossible to climb or fall through, so how to make it nice ….? Further info : the westernmost arch was open, with a stair to the Upper Esplanade behind, but both arch and stair now completely covered over.
Old pics via facebook, vault interior Colin Sheppard via FB.
Storey of Melbourne 