13 May 2014 :
Always fascinated by this wildly unusual building on the corner of Drummond and Pelham Streets Carlton, which I now know was built as the #childrenshospital. They first located here in 1875 when Redmond Barry donated his rather large house and grounds, then rebuilt starting 1899 all in Edwardian #redbrick #dutchgable style with #artnouveau details. The corner one, the #princessmay pavilion, was built in 1903, and is the most elaborate, designed by #GuyonPurchas (what a name) with #WilliamShields. The one next door to the east (pics 4,5) was the admin, built 1911, and it’s much plainer, possibly reflecting changes in taste, or maybe just lack of budget! Designed by #WilliamShields on his own, the great curly wrought iron brackets are about the only decoration. Theres a similar one built as a nurses home but a bit more elaborate round on Rathdowne, largely hidden behind trees.
After the hospital moved in 1961 the site become St Nicholas Hospital / Special School, then it was redeveloped in 1990 with new rather clunky office buildings replacing various infill buildings and yards (I’m guessing), while the corner building and nurses home became apartments, the old admin is still offices.
Some old photos. First, the very fancy Outpatients, which was the first thing built, on Drummond, next to the Princess May Pavilion. It later got two extra floors and lost all its character by photo 2. Then one from the children’s hospital archive showing the very plain ward block once on the corner of Rathdowne and Pelham, which replaced the Barry mansion; and lastly the nurses home on Rathdowne, still there.
Storey of Melbourne 