Original post 30 November 2017:
Wilson Hall at Melbourne University was designed by Reed & Barnes, and opened in 1882. It was one of the greatest secular Gothic Revival structures in Australia, along with the Great Hall at Sydney University. But in January 1952 a spectacular fire broke out (Melbourne Uni archives have quite a few photos of that day) – I always thought it was destroyed, but the walls still stood. It could’ve been rebuilt like so many German Cathedrals after WWII, but Victorian Gothic wasn’t highly regarded, and it was felt something modern would suit the times (and was also cheaper). The new Wilson Hall opened in 1956, designed by the same architectural firm, by then known as Bates Smart McCutcheon. It’s a fine design, but the exterior rather lacks the drama of the original. A 1935 stained glass window by Napier Waller survived because it was out fur repairs, and is now installed at the Ian Potter at Melb Uni. First photo @library_vic, window shot mine.
Storey of Melbourne 