L&A-+Laneways

=Laneways =

A laneway 'A narrow way or passage'. - Dictionary.com  **ACDC Lane**  ACDC lane is a short, narrow laneway that lies between Exhibition and Russel Streets just off Flinders lane. The lane itself is not what makes it well known, but rather its name is what really attracts attention. Plans from 1895 show that this lane had no given name at that time, it was not till 1915 that the name corporation was assigned. It is thought that this name was decided due to the fact that there was a corporation yard east of the lane. However in October 2004 this laneway was named after the Australian rock band AC/DC who are still world renowned for their contributions to the music scene. When this lane was allocated its name of ACDC lane there was a ceremony held within the lane in which the lord mayor announced 'As the song says, there is a highway to hell, but this is a laneway to heaven. Let us rock'. We went to this lane and unfortunately it just seems very unlooked after.

 **Hardware Lane** Hardware lane is a small lane that connects Bourke St and Little Lonsdale Street between Elizabeth and Queen Streets. Within this lovely little lane are restaurants, ski shops and also hairdressers, but at night is really when this funky lane comes to life. With all the jazz bars and cafes this is a great spot to go out with friends during the evening. The lane is blocked off to all ca rs from 11am-11pm meaning that even during the day it is a great hang out, to have a quite coffee or a delicious bite to eat  The former name of this laneway was Wrights lane which was founded in 1895, in those days you would find many hotels one that is still now situated in the lane and is also listed in the Victorian Heritage Inventory. Wrights lane was renamed in 1927 after a hardware house in the lane at that time. Some explain hardware lane as a 'historical portrait' as many of the buildings still standing in this beautiful lane today date back to the 19th century. Now with hanging baskets full of flowers decorating the brick walls, this is a wonderful place to dine in or have a drink with friends. Hardware lane is so quick and easy to visit due to its great location, you can just tram down to Bourke street mall and have a look the at all new fashions in the city. ** Hosier Lane ** Hosier Lane is a quite large lane on the southern edge of Melbourne's CBD, connecting Flinders Street to Flinders Lane, between Russell and Swanston Streets. This iconic lane is very well know for the large amount of street art, as it is legal to graffiti in this vibrant laneway there are many artist that visit this lane daily. Due to the large amounts of street art and the colourfully decorated walls there are many photographers that have used hosier lane as a background in their photos for advertising, music videos as well as photo shoots for well known brands. Not only professional photographers tend to take photos in this brilliant laneway, many tourists and even bridal parties have been known to have their photos taken within this renowned passageway. Up until June this year there was a large mural within this stunning lane known as 'Our Lady Hosier' this mural was or a lady whose clothes were changed on a regular basis, this was a key characteristic of the lane. During the 1920s Hosier Lane was full of various different businesses from organ manufactures to mens clothing ware houses and even costume manufactures. At that time hosier lane was known to be in the clothing district as were the Neighboring laneways, Higson and Oliver Lanes. The name hosier lane came from the use in that time due to all the clothing ware houses and manufacturers.

**Howey Place**
Howey place is a narrow laneway just of Little Collins Street, between Swanston and Elizabeth streets. This lane is especially great as it is one of the few lanes in the city that is roofed, meaning that is fantastic for some rainy day shopping. Not only is it terrific for a rainy day but for any day as this lane is just a short walk away from many superb arcades, this is a great for a quick shop before lunch with friends.  **Centre Place- Georgia**  Centre place is another small lane, like most, Melbourne’s CBD. This gorgeous little lane is situated in between Elizabeth and Swanston Street. In this interesting laneway there are many bright bars, boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants. There are also many great examples of graffiti and street art in this w ell-known laneway especially stencil graffiti. This is a trendy location for Melbourne's younger generations due to its cool bars to hang around with friends and even meet some new ones and popular cafes to get one of the best coffees in Melbourne's CBD. Even if food and drinks are not what you are looking for the fantastic boutiques are a great place to have a browse through, with all their cool accessories and vintage clothing. You can just walk over the road to the wonderful Degraves St for even more fashion boutiques and swarming cafes. During the 1980s Centre place turned out to be one of the first revitalised laneways in Melbourne setting it out to be very popular. Before this lovely lane got its name it was known as Cummings alley, but in 1915 when this alley was joined to Centreway it was renamed Centre court. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> ** Bourke Street mall ** <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Bourke Street Mall is located between Elizabeth and Swanston streets and what can I say it's the place to be if you want a full shopping experience. This laneway seems to always be busy and is more like a main shopping street than anything else with its great range of stores including big brands like Myer, David Jones, sports girl, Nike, Adidas and The Body Shop and many more. Not only the well known stores of this laneway are what keep people coming back, but it is also the b uskers that fill this lively lane which seems to always entertain, as well as this the gorgeous Royal Arcade and all the lovely restaurants, cafes and bars. This pedestrian and tram only lane has an amazing atmosphere, one that can only be really understood by going to experience this first hand. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Bourke Street was named after Sir Richard Bourke, the Governor of New South Wales in 1837.Plans for Bourke street mall were made up in 1964. In the original plan they wanted to have a multi- platform which was intended to separated cars from people, but that plan was never brought into action. The plans were changed in the end and made into an area where only people and trams were allowed. The mall was opened in 1983 by Prince Charles and Lady Diana. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Nothing much was done to this mall until a fire incidence happened and there was a small renovation, but it was not till 2006 when the commonwealth games happened, there was any major renovations. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> ** Block Place ** <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Block place is a heritage listed lane which was first occupied in 1839. Located off Little Collins Street between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street. The lane links with Block Arcade and is like most other laneways small and narrow.This lane is mostly covered and is people only, it's very popular with all of its cafes, shops and ancient buildings. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Block place was formally known as Carpenters Lane and privately owned in the 1890s. In 1920 Block Place was home to shoe stores, stamp dealers, office fitters and dry cleaners. Recently, Block Place has been extended to Collins Street through Block Court. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> ** Union Lane ** <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Union lane is a long, narrow lane, located between Elizabeth and Swanston streets, this lane links Bourke Street to Little Collins Street and it is just off Bourke Street Mall. It was named after the Union Hotel that was positioned off Little Collins Street during the 1860s. This lane is full of a mural created by the City’s Graffiti Mentoring Project in 2007 to 2008. Both artists and volunteers spent many weeks putting together the amazing mural. Unfortunately it has been tagged so much that more than 90 per cent of the mural was said to be damaged beyond repair. The city then decided to get famous street artists to makeover the wall with new and more modern art works. They desided that the new wall would be put into sections where artists could add their own touch to the wall making it an outdoor lively street art gallery. In 2010 the second mural was finished but again due to silly tags the wall was ruined. In spite of the damage to the beautiful mural it is still attracting attention daily. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Before union lane was a street gallery, it was used for high value manufacturing businesses like brass finishers, locksmiths, a wholesale newsagent and a watchmaker in 1895. There were no houses in Union lane at that time. Then it housed some unpleasant people. At this time the lane only had homes and then there was a central club hotel and music store. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> ** Degraves Street **

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Degraves street is a very well know, short and narrow lane that lies between Finders Street and Flinders Lane, near Elizabeth Street. There is also an underground exit from Flinders Street Station, the exit was constructed in 1950s, to create an exit that would allow people to get from Flinders Street Station to Degraves street. The idea was first suggested in 1926. The real building of the exit was started in 1952 but not opened till 1955. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">This laneway was named after William and Charles Degraves, the first people to settle in Melbourne from Hobart in 1849. They bought the land located on the corner of Flinders and Degraves Street.This lane once known as Campbell Arcade is filled with coffee shops.It is a very attractive lane that is excellent for a coffee and snack. This lane is not only people friendly but also allows cars but they have limited access. At one end of the lane there are cafes and bars and on the side they are a couple of shops and boutiques. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Home