21 March 2019:
The amazing huge and abandoned Railway Hotel, right on the #UpfieldLine near #BrunswickStation. It had a happening nightclub a while ago, but a bit toooo happy since the licensee was busted in 2016 trying to sell $70,000 worth of ice and coke to undercover police – he got 8 years. It’s been closed since then. Funny but I can’t find much info on its history – except that it was for sale in Oct 1890 ‘recently erected having all modern improvements’ and 50 bedrooms (!). Clearly a product of the 1880s #landboom, there are other suburban hotels this big, but usually on main streets amongst shops, this one’s quite isolated, rearing up from amongst cottages and factories. Would have had a lively roof originally, with what looks like #dormers with attic rooms, maybe they can be restored when it’s eventually sold to become apartments (though I’ve heard it’s going to be a Dan Murphy’s, oh dear).
2024 update : It was bought by a consortium including Mick Molloy, and reopened in 2022 as a pub. Nice reno, but anything original went long ago for think. Not sure if they’re using the upper levels, but it has a surprisingly large beer garden.
Storey of Melbourne 