Shot Tower, Melbourne Central
Buildings in Melbourne, well, they're everywhere. And as you hurry to work, or from work, or anywhere, it's easy to forget how exquisite some of these buildings really are. There are loads that just demand attention, they're so conspicuously beautiful.
So what's the most eye-catching building? If I had to choose just one of Melbourne's buildings that I can't get enough of, it would have to be the
Shot Tower in Melbourne Central.
But only from the inside. From the outside, the cone-shaped glass dome is interesting, but completely overshadowed by all the junk around it.
Nice dome but...all the other stuff?
If we're talking buildings that are impressive from the outside, the choice is much harder to make. Squeaking in at the top for me is the huge, white, splendid
Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens. This place is World Heritage listed for good reason.
Royal Exhibition Building
But I'm also very partial to the Manchester Unity Building, on the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets, 13 floors of neo-gothic splendour built in 1932.
Manchester Unity Building
And St Paul's Cathedral on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets.
St Paul's Cathedral
I'd also have to shortlist the Princess Theatre at 163 Spring Street, built in 1886.
Princess Theatre
And I love the mad extravagance of the Forum Theatre, on the corner of Flinders and Russell Streets. It opened in 1929.
Forum Theatre
It would be bordering on criminal to forget Flinders Street Station.
The easily recognisable Flinders Street Station
Or Federation Square.
The equally recognisable Federation Square
The one I don't much like, although it fits the definition of conspicuous, is Eureka Tower. Yes, yes, it's tall. But we all know size isn't everything, it's what you do with it that counts.
Eureka Tower - tall but kind of bland
So what do you think? If you have a preferred building that's eye-catching - in a good way, or even in a bad way, please feel free to leave a comment below.
