Richmond: Architecture
1927; 1956; 2002 Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Richmond, VicAlthough the Melbourne Cricket Ground is arguably one of the two most important cricket grounds in the world, it is much more than a cricket ground to the people of Melbourne. It is one of the great icons of this city, and even Australia. By the 1950 s, Melbourne s reputation as the sports capital of Australia was so firmly entrenched that it was a foregone conclusion that the city would host the 1956 Olympic Games and that the MCG would be the Games main stadium. The MCG underwent a $430 million redevelopment on the northern side of the stadium between 2002 and 2006; the upgrade was in part to prepare it as the main venue for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, which were hosted by Melbourne. The redevelopment involved the demolition of the Pavilion, Ponsford and Olympic Stands. The present capacity (including seating and standing room) of the MCG is just over 100,000. Up until October 2002, the capacity of the ground was 96,308.
1888 former Lalor House, 293 Church St, Richmond, Vic
The Lalor residence at 293 Church Street, Richmond, was erected in 1888 for local medico, Dr Joseph P Lalor, son of the celebrated Eureka Stockade leader and politician, Peter Lalor. The arcaded, two storey brick and stucco residence and surgery was designed in an original and exaggerated Boom Classicism style by American born, Classically trained architect, William George Wolf. The exemplary Boom style Classicism design, characterised by an innovative, exaggerated use of massive Classical motifs, harsh tonality and exuberant ornament, is rivalled only by Benvenuta at Carlton and Labassa at Caulfield for period architectural importance in Victoria. Peter Lalor died at this house in February 1889 after a short stay in confinement.
1909 Empire Works Factory, Church Street, Richmond, Vic.
Built in the Edwardian period in the Art Noveau style, this factory building features rendered polychrome and tower feature. Its decorations are castellated Chicagoesque with emphatic Art Noveau features, and are reminiscent of architect William Pitt s earlier Victoria Brewery design.
1980s Richmond Town Hall, bridge Road, Richmond, Vic.
Built in the 1890s, the original Richmond Town Hall in the Venetian Gothic Revival style, consisting of polychrome brickwork and a large tower. In the 1930s the Town Hall s facade was remodeled in the Interwar Academic Classical Revival style, with Art Deco decorations, to become the Richmond City Hall. Some sections of the rear of the building and interior spaces retain the original Victorian era detailing. The Richmond Town Hall was refurbished in 1991.
