Heritage+Architecture+olderfleet+building

Olderfleet Building 

====Thi s building was built in 1888 and is the neighbor of the Rialto Hotel. The building was designed by William Pitt who was a famous Australian architect who designed many other buildings in Melbourne. This building in unique because of it's extravagant Venetian Gothic style architecture. ====

====The building was originally used for wool merchants who were part of the Woolbroker's Association. They specialized in importing and exporting their wool and other products which came from lots of different boats that docked at the Yarra River. ====

Architecture The Olderfleet Building used to stretch to Flinders Lane. It has four stories and a basement.The material used to create the building was mostly red brick and the columns are made of red and grey granite. The facade, which is the most significant part of the building, is designed in the Venetian Gothic style, a style that was introduced in Melbourne during the 1870s. The Olderfleet facade is arranged as three bays, with a central fleche and clock tower with pinnacle. Internally the building has been retained to a depth of approximately 12 metres. Exposed timber trusses have been retained on the top floor.

The architect William Pitt was born in Melbourne and also worked as a public servant and a politician. He lived in St Kilda, went to school in St Kilda and died on May 25 1918 at age 93. His most famous designs were associated during the era of 'Marvellous Melbourne'. Those buildings include Princess Theatre, Queens Bridge, Rialto Buildings, Victoria Brewery, Wellington Opera House and of course the Olderfleet Building.

Today Today the Olderfleet building is still in great condition with original facades still in place. It is now used as a cafe. 