Council amalgamations saw the City of Fitzroy become part of the City of Yarra in 1994. The original town hall was designed by William J. Ellis and built in 1873. Between 1887 and 1890 it was extended, a police station and court house added and the existing tower removed and replaced by the current clock tower.
As most other inner suburban town halls it is close to the street with little setback. A couple of you have suggested in the past this makes it less imposing and more accessible to the general public, and I agree, although I do like the set back of St Kilda Town Hall.
The building is now used for municipal office space and as a public library. Sorry about chopping the top and tall flagpole off.
Rear view.
It is an elegant building - though parts of the rear view looks very different. 'What the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve over'?
ReplyDeleteEC, very much so. What you don't see.....
DeleteNice frontage, I always love buildings with steps.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
But literally WWW? Wouldn't a ramp be better. I expect there would be one added recently.
DeleteI always smile when on the train you pass the rear of those 'magnificent' buildings and wonder if the council is/was - all front and no substance.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I know what you mean. To put it crudely, you often see the arse end from a train.
DeleteHubby and I don't get out much and the little we do we masked up. Only wish other would.
ReplyDeleteDora, recent studies have proved masks are 85% effective. We all need to wear them.
DeleteThe influence of Greek architecture is everywhere; municipal buildings often being classic examples. They always look imposing and serious.
ReplyDeleteCro, Greek? Ah, the columns are very Greek.
DeleteI have issues with the rear view being plain red brick, just like I have issues with homes being rendered and painted only on the parts visible from the street while the sides and back are "naked" brick. Make the whole thing pretty, I say.
ReplyDeleteRiver, that happened 150 years ago and still happens now. Fight the fights you can win.
DeleteLooks a majestic building and ever so nice to look at, especially when liking those older buildings.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, it is majestic but the street in front is not particularly wide and it is surrounded by buildings that don't fit its period.
DeleteImpressive greek revival manse
ReplyDeleteTravel, I'll take you more educated word for it.
DeleteWay Cool - The Photos I Mean - Big Fan Of The Process - No Matter What It Is - Something About Before And After Photos Really Intrigue My Interest
ReplyDeleteCheers
Padre, I am not way cool, just my old photos. No matter. Thanks for your comment man.
DeleteWe Melburnians deserved classical town halls in the late 19th century, if citizens were going to be proud of their communities. But Fitzroy Town Hall was way over the top. St Kilda Town Hall was beautifully designed in a more modest style.
ReplyDeleteHels, of course parts of Fitzroy were very poor too. I wonder what the poor made of such grandeur for the city fathers.
DeleteThe front looks better than the back.
ReplyDeleteGigi, perhaps that applies to some people too.
DeleteThat's quite an imposing building!
ReplyDeleteSteve, it does say serious and important.
DeleteIt looks just as a library should. The back looks more mundane but the public doesn't see that anyhow.
ReplyDeleteBe safe. Stay healthy.
Sandra, I like that you thing all libraries should be so grand. The public will see the rear, as I did.
DeleteI like green around huge buildings like that, but I don't like all the extra walking to get to them :D
ReplyDeleteJenny, a moving footpath then for you, across the lawns.
DeleteHah! Yes :) Is there such a thing? It's just struck me that there might be, somewhere ... not here though.
DeleteThe set back really does make such a huge difference, I don't think the on street setting takes away from the imposing architecture though Andrew ✨
ReplyDeleteGrace, I think being on the street makes it more imposing.
Delete