Melbourne Curious: Video Footage of Melbourne in 1931

Melbourne Curious: Video Footage of Melbourne in 1931

lonsdale house demolition

Melbourne’s wonderful Lonsdale House (topped by its classic and iconic tower) is about to be demolished. The demolition has been approved by the State Minister for Planning (Justin Madden) in response to the requirement of the owners (Colonial First State) to widen the adjacent lane for truck traffic. A new building will be constructed on the site that will enable the key tenant (Apple?) to make a “hero statement”. Madden asked the Melbourne City Council for their comments and the Council advised that they had no opposition to the demolition - despite it being included on the Council’s own Planning Scheme with a grading that would normally prevent demolition. It will be a shameful day for Melbourne heritage when it goes - businesses and governements come and go and can revive themselves - once a building goes, its gone forever.
The thousands of Melbourne people who have signed petitions in protest (and who are still asking “how could this happen?”) will be left with yet another glass box, inserted into an historic streetscape. It will be a shameful day for Melbourne when the building goes.