Melbourne's Architectural Treasures: Art Deco, Gothic & Hidden Stories

Manchester Unity Building: Art Deco with a Gothic Twist

Standing prominently at the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets, the Manchester Unity Building is one of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks.

Completed in 1932, the twelve-storey building was designed by architect Marcus Barlow as the headquarters of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Its construction came during the Great Depression, when unemployment was widespread. The organisation deliberately embarked on the ambitious project partly to create employment for its members and help stimulate the local economy.

The building combines Art Deco influences with what is often described as modern commercial Gothic. Its distinctive tower, terracotta façade, decorative details and dramatic vertical lines make it particularly impressive when viewed from Collins Street.

But don't just look up.

Step into the ground-floor arcade and you'll find beautiful marble, mosaic floors, decorative details and intricate artwork. The building originally contained shops, offices, a basement café and even Melbourne's first escalators.

Look for the details

One of the pleasures of the Manchester Unity Building is discovering the details that are easy to miss.

Look at the decorative figures, symbols and inscriptions throughout the building. They reflect the values and activities of the Manchester Unity organisation and provide clues about the building's original purpose.

The building was also remarkably advanced for its time. It incorporated modern lifts, air-conditioning, letter and rubbish chutes, and other technologies that made it an exceptionally modern commercial building in 1932.

It's a perfect example of Melbourne's ability to combine beautiful architecture with practical innovation.

ANZ Gothic Bank: Melbourne's Banking Palace

A short walk away, at the corner of Collins and Queen Streets, you'll find an entirely different architectural experience.

ANZ's Gothic Bank opened for business on 31 May 1887 during Melbourne's great boom era. Designed by architect William Wardell, it is regarded by ANZ as one of Australia's finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture applied to a secular building.

The building originally served as the Australian head office of the English, Scottish and Australia Chartered Bank, a predecessor of today's ANZ. The upper floors also included the residence of the bank's first General Manager, Sir George Verdon.

Inside, the banking chamber is remarkably ornate, reflecting the enormous wealth and confidence of Melbourne during the late nineteenth-century boom.

The building wasn't simply designed to house a bank. It was intended to communicate strength, stability and prosperity to customers and visitors.

From Gold to Modern Banking

The story becomes even more fascinating when you consider what was happening around Melbourne when the Gothic Bank opened.

The city was experiencing extraordinary growth following the Victorian gold rush. Wealth was flowing through Melbourne, new businesses were emerging, and grand buildings were transforming Collins Street into one of Australia's most prestigious commercial addresses.

The Gothic Bank was part of that transformation.

Today, its historic banking spaces provide a remarkable connection with that period of Melbourne's history.

A Museum Inside a Working Bank

There's another reason the Gothic Bank is particularly interesting today.

Following a major restoration, ANZ reopened the building with a banking museum, allowing visitors to explore aspects of the bank's history and the building's heritage. The museum is free to visit during its current opening hours, with visitors able to self-explore the space.

It is an unusual Melbourne experience: a historic banking interior that continues to function alongside a museum telling the story of banking and the building itself.