September 2018 + new pics :
#OldandNew, the photo that always pops up as old Melbourne contrasted with the new. Happened by accident though, simply because a large #Lshapedsite in #CollinsStreet was created in the mid 70s bit by bit, and the corner owners the #AlexandraClub wouldn’t sell.
The club occupied what was originally the grandest surgery/ townhouse in Collins Street, built in 1888 for Dr Beaney. He was a flashy surgeon who was partial to diamond rings and self promotion who died only a few years later (that’s him at the races in the last pic). His house was designed by William Salway with a fair amount of elaboration and a cute little tower.
I often hear ‘they should rebuild the tower’ but the house has an extra floor now. In 1910 it was extended to the south to become a private appeal, then in 1917 it became the new home of the women-only Alexandra Club, and they expanded it to the east, and added the top floor in 1927, all in matching style.
They did sell in 1981, but not to the next door developer, and moved to where they are now in Collins near Exhibition. Their old home was then completely gutted to create offices.
Next door Lustig & Moar decided to build Melbourne’s first new 5* hotel for ages, a Hyatt, completed 1986. Architects Peddle Thorpe produced a 70s geometric design overlaid with 80s glamour like the bronze mirror glass and lots of brass and marble and art inside, rather TrumpTower come to think of it. Very grand shop and food court atrium, a bit Art Deco, once the place to be, completely gone now.
