Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts

Monday, September 27, 2010

Look up to see the Lead Pipe and Shot Factory



The place known as COOPS SHOT TOWER AND FLANKING BUILDING KNOX PLACE MELBOURNE [ Now incorporated in Melbourne Central ]


Coop’s Shot Tower and Flanking Building were erected in 1889-90 and consist of a two storey, three bay brick structure dominated by a fifty metre high castellated tower. The Tower was used for the manufacture of lead shot until closing in 1960. It remained unoccupied until being incorporated into the Melbourne Central shopping centre in the late 1980s-early 1990s.

Coop’s Shot Tower and Flanking Building are of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

Coop’s Shot Tower and Flanking Building are of historical significance as evidence of an early industrial process, and for their association with the Coop family, who had extensive interests in shot manufacture and smelting – they owned both of the two remaining towers in Melbourne, the other being in Clifton Hill. The tower provides tangible evidence of the original process of lead shot production, a process now largely forgotten. Its form reflects the shot production process: the shot was produced by dropping molten lead through sieves at the top of the tower into water at the bottom. The height of the Tower was necessary to allow the shot to form into spheres before reaching the bottom. At the height of its productive life, the Tower was producing six tons of shot per week. Also manufactured in the associated buildings were a diverse range of lead products, including nails, washers, sheeting, tubes, pipes and solder for leadlighters and plumbers.

Coop’s Shot Tower and Flanking Building are of historical significance as a reminder of the character of the 19th century city, in which residential, commercial and industrial uses existed in close proximity. There are now few remaining traces of central Melbourne’s industrial past, giving the shot tower added importance.

Coop’s Shot Tower and Flanking Building are of architectural significance as a fine example of a rare and distinctive building type and as a Melbourne landmark for more than a century. The Tower was one of the tallest buildings in Melbourne for many years, second only to the shot tower in Clifton Hill, and remained a significant Melbourne landmark long after its closure. The building is carefully massed with its campanile-style central tower above the two storey factory with fine arched openings.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Cathedral Arcade



Cathedral Arcade is a heritage shopping arcade in Melbourne, Victoria.


It forms a short, narrow laneway, connecting Swanston Street to Flinders Lane in the central business district of Melbourne. It is a T-shaped arcade, however one of the laneways terminates inside of the building.


The arcade is notable as it retains all of its original features. The arcade is fully covered by stained glass and leadlights, which forms a highly detailed arch leading to a central dome. The floors are decorated with ceramic tiles, and the shopfronts feature richly detailed wood panels.



The art deco arcade, which dates back to 1925 is part of the Nicholas Building designed by Harry Norris. The building itself, including the arcade is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Causeway Lane




Causeway Lane (also known as The Causeway) is a street in Melbourne, Victoria. It is a short, quiet and narrow openlaneway, running between Bourke Street Mall and Little Collins Street between Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street in the central business district of Melbourne.

Located in the heart of the shopping precinct, the Causeway is currently flanked by some small boutique shops, indoor and outdoor cafes and sushi bars.

The lane is notable for the heritage listed former Union Bank a tall curved palazzo styled building constructed in the 1920s which has a mezzanine entrance at the corner of the lane. The building is now occupied by Laurent, an upmarket French patisserie.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010


Royal Arcade is a heritage shopping arcade in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria. Originally constructed in 1869, the arcade connects Little Collins Street to the Bourke Street Mall, with a perpendicular passage running to Elizabeth Street in the west. It also connects to the smaller Hub Arcade near the Little Collins Street end. Originally designed by Charles Webb, the arcade features a high glass roof and windowed stores. At the south end, the arcade features effigies of mythical figures Gog and Magog and a clock which chimes each hour. The arcade was restored between 2002-04 which resulted in additional natural light and consistency of the shopfronts.
It is a significant Victorian era arcade, recorded on the Victorian Heritage Register. In addition, Melbourne's Golden Mile heritage walk runs through the arcade.


Royal Arcade is famous for its fashion stores as well as specialty stores such as tarot card reading store.


Saturday, April 03, 2010

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