Former Lonsdale House: 470-502 Lonsdale Street Melbourne

This rare pair of three storey terraces is one of a handful of original terraces remaining in the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) and has had an interesting life.  It was originally designed by prominent architect Lloyd Tayler.  Shortly after its constuction in 1886 the terraces were converted into a private hospital known as Lonsdale House.  It was used for a brief time by the navy during World War I, served as a music academy, nurses hostel and again a hospital during World War II.   After the war it became the offices of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) before being absorbed into the construction of the County Court complex in the 1990s.  Read more... (215 words, 4 images)