3 March 2024

A friend loaned me this book from 1995 that’s just photos and interviews of people living in the CBD, back when it was quite unusual. There were only about 1000, mostly in the two 60s high rise, and in cheap accommodation in ex hotels, but also the pioneers who were more or less illegally occupying warehouse spaces. Here’s a selection – Simon O’Brien (later and still one of the 6 degrees architects), Bank Place; Alexander Robertson, Real Estate Agent, Treasury Gate Spring Street; Maria Sillitto, (her eponymous store in Collins St in the 80s was a fashion Mecca), Little Lonsdale; Eva, Guildford Lane; Lisa, Lonsdale St; Harvey, Bourke St (wish I could work out where); Frank, caretaker at the Beehive in Elizabeth St; Lola & George at the King St tearoom, cnr LaTrobe (they left 2 years ago when the place threatened to collapse); and John at the Gill, the Salvos accommodation once in A’Beckett St. Many of them talk about how it would be great if more people lived in the CBD, bringing it to life – there’s now 46,000, average age 26, but I think it’s all the bars and cafes that really make the city busy now. The warehouses are often now proper apartments and/or surrounded by towers. The book is by Warik Lawrence, photos by Terry Howells.

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