Original post 28 November 2017:
“Our Lodging” in #LittleBourkeStreet, 1883-4, unusual in so many ways – first it’s an unusually severe Tudor/Gothic, designed by #WilliamPittArchitect; second, it was the first attempt at #socialhousing in Melbourne, but built privately – by #GeorgeCoppin, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and politician (yes all at the same time!), built amidst the ‘back slums’ in this corner of the city. Thirdly, the front block has large rooms on three floors around courtyards accessed by internal verandahs, with communal washing, and like no other housing. The nicer front section was meant for working class families, with 3-4 room apartments and washing facilities in the basement, while the rear block was overnight lodging for single men costing only sixpence; few families were attracted, preferring to rent houses, while the lodging house was popular, so the front part was soon changed into single bedrooms for working class men at 1 shilling/night. It was still filled with single men as Gordon House until 1976. Then it was renovated, reopening in 1978 with a few shops and bars in the main courtyard, and hotel in the rooms; the shops were popular for a while, then not. Now it’s all serviced apartments.
Storey of Melbourne 