Alright, as you're strolling down Bourke Street, keep an eye out to your right. You'll spot the Parliament House of Victoria standing grandly on Spring Street. The building dominates the view with its impressive colonnaded front and its stately presence at the top of the hill. You’ll notice a large staircase leading up to this majestic structure, flanked by imposing columns and adorned with statues. Two flags fly proudly above the building, waving down at you from high atop the structure.
Parliament House is where the magic of the Parliament of Victoria happens. It's one of the eight parliaments in the Australian states and territories. Now, let's shine a light on a bit of history - construction kicked off in 1855, but it’s never been fully completed. The biggest omission? A planned dome that never saw the light of day, making it one of Melbourne’s most famous unbuilt features!
From 1901 to 1927, this fine building even took on the role of the meeting place for the Parliament of Australia, as Melbourne played stand-in for the then-unfinished national capital, Canberra. It sure has a rich heritage, so much so that it’s listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Parliament House’s story begins with the Victorian gold rush, which brought in a lot of wealth and people, fuelling the call for greater democracy and a place to debate. Governor Charles La Trobe and Surveyor General Robert Hoddle played significant roles in selecting this very spot atop Bourke Street for Parliament. The choice wasn’t without its debates, but eventually, in 1854, Eastern Hill made the cut.
The design history is quite the soap opera with many architects and designs coming and going. The final grand design by Knight & Kerr, crafted in 1855, boasts a Palladian style, with some reworking leading to the grand colonnaded structure you see today.
Construction took place in stages due to the sheer size and cost involved. By November 1856, the Victorian Government held its first session in these impressive new chambers. Subsequent phases added the Library and Eastern Wing, which completed in 1860 after much debate over the choice of stone, ultimately settling on freestone from Bacchus Marsh.
So, take a moment to soak in the history and magnum opus of Victorian architecture as you stand before Parliament House!
Curious about the background, construction and completion or the temporary home of federal parliament? Don't hesitate to reach out in the chat section for additional details.
