In 1859, the foundation stone was laid on its present site and built in the Renaissance Revival style designed by A.E.Johnson.
Below: 1887 Clocktower
Cessation of the GPO
In 1992, Australia Post announced plans to end Melbourne’s GPO’s major postal role. The GPO ceased to function as an office of Australia Post in 2001 and plans for an upmarket shopping mall were approved.
The sorting hall
The former GPO opened for business as a new upmarket retail centre in 2005 and now forms a major arcade running from Bourke Street through to Little Bourke Street. Melbourne’s GPO makes for a totally unique retail and leisure experience.
The calming and irresistible draw of the CBD’s premier boutique shopping destination provides an escape from the hectic Bourke Street Mall, and with over 50 stores across three floors, Melbourne’s GPO houses a diverse mix of dining options, the biggest names in Australian and international designer fashion, alongside exceptional event spaces which have been designed to impress.
Distances from the centre of Melbourne are still measured from the (former) GPO.
Melbourne GPO pre 1880
Today's Quote: And none will hear the postman's knock without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten? - W.H. Auden.
14 comments:
I love this building - when it was the Post Office I loved just going in there and checking all the nooks an cranies out.
Wow - that sure is one "fancy pants", huge post office! Aussies must be really good at writing letters and sending lots of mail! What a magnificent building! Hey, BFG, send me a letter with lots of stamps on it; I collect postage stamps!
: - )
I particularly love that second shot of the tower through the star decorations.
Wow! Love these pictures. The building is beautiful. It is a great post
cheers!
your new pic profile looks amazing! love it! ^0^
such a nice clock tower, love the architecture,
sorry for the over-used "love" word in here, it's midnight already and i'm still blogging, think i;m sleepy already... ^0^
have a good weekend!
wow it's massive and beautiful!
So nice that they allowed pictures inside. Here I tried once but it's forbidden unfortunately.
That clock tower is very impressive!
Fabulous shots!
Léia
Gorgeous building and gorgeous photos!
Wow, that's a grand building! Reminds me very much of Dublin's GPO.
It is no surprise why your header says: Marvelous Melbourne. Been there once in the early 1995 and I can't forget that famous building of the header.
As to the GPO, what an interesting history! For its fate, I can compare it to its Sydney's counterpart, the Queen Victoria Building.
Truly beautiful buildings! Thanks for the history. I appreciate that helpful info.
Davine - I used to love going into the GPO too. Do you remember the wall of public telephones and all the phone books? They had books for every state.
Leif - I started collecting stamps from the age of six.
Brattcat - I struck it lucky with the Christmas decorations last year.
Luis - Melbourne has many grand buildings.
Arabesque - Thanks, I like Flinders Street station. And we do have some elaborate architecture.
Cezar and Léia - I think it is the largest in Australia.
Jacob - Having a good "subject" helps.
Rob and Mandy - Things connected with the Post Office had the letters PMG on them, which my Irish grandma named "Pig's Meat and Gravy".
Bonnie Bonsai - On my last trip to Sydney (September '09) I was disappointed with the renovations done to the QVB - the old-fashioned shop fronts had been replaced and were modernised which was a pity becasue they used to be beautiful. Even the magnificant toilets had been altered, although they still kept the stained glass.
Cheers.
Magnificent building!
Great set of pictures of an outstanding building. The second one is an absolutely creative way to see the GPo tower.
A sign of the changing times. The Post Office here had impressive premises in the middle of town, too. But their role as nation-building models of efficiency has long since gone.
This is a GREAT building. Lovely photos!
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