September 2025
Chanel’s new home in Russell Street, cnr Flinders Lane. Originally built as a branch of the Royal Bank of Victoria in 1923 in a Neoclassical style. Designed by Tompkins & Tompkins, who did a lot of stuff in the #MelbCBD incl the similar Herald Building round the corner also in the 20s; the design sketch showed it with a bit more detail than as built.
In 1927 the ANZ took over the Royal, so that’s what it was for a long time. Then also a long period as home for the Scientologists, looking worse for wear in the pic from 2011. Chanel saw the value of this classic bldg, planning to restore it before it was actually #heritagelisted in 2013.
They painted it off white and enlarged the second floor windows, and added the curly wrought iron bits to give that Parisian touch. Not ideal but it’s ok.
Storey of Melbourne 