Original post 31 January 2015, updated :

This golden horse head graces the front entrance of what was built in 1886 at 40 Brunswick Street Fitzroy as Melb’s first animal hospital, which soon became a Veterinary College as well. It operated here until 1928, then became various things, and classified by the @nationaltrustvic in the 80s. Then from memory it was sold late 90s and nearly became just a facade until the trusts nomination to the heritage register was successful in 2001. Im still mad though that they tried to be nice to the annoyed owner, and only listed half, so the rest was replaced by townhouses. It was all like a grand stables inside, with a balcony and clerestory roof. Some is still there, refurbed as offices, and lately it’s been done over again as the ACU Media Hub, infilling the space a bit more. Mystery about the horse head though, the Trusts 1986 listing notes it there, but it’s clearly not there in their photo, pic 3, so many a modern version ? Pics 4, 6 from leasing in 2015, pic 5 from @harmer_architecture.

• Uncategorized