10 February 2024
The former South Melbourne Post Office opposite the town hall is a rather bold essay in Edwardian Baroque, dating from 1912, designed by Comm Dep of Interior architect Horace MacKennal. When it closed (in the 90s?) it was reused as a library, and for some time has also housed the @cityofportphillip heritage centre. Pity about the glazed in verandah, but that may have happened a long time ago. It’s on a triangular site, but is L shaped, which means a nice courtyard to one side.
9 February 2024
The South Melbourne Court House and Police Station, opposite the grand Victorian South Melb Town Hall, was built in 1928 in a Spanish / Mediterranean style normally found in flats or houses, not public buildings, but it’s quite charming with that arcaded verandah, and curly pediment. Designed by the Public Works Department under E Evan Smith, which normally produced simple classical designs in the 1920s. The Heritage Victoria listing says the interior of the court house is largely intact, but i didnt go in …. in fact I’m surprised they didn’t run out and tell me not to take photos !
Storey of Melbourne 