Open House Melbourne will see buildings citywide fling open their doors
Buildings in Melbourne will fling their doors open to the public in the fifth annual Open House Melbourne event.
This year 100 buildings with otherwise restrictive access will be open for public tours over July 28 and 29.
Open buildings include underground substations, council buildings, office buildings, architectural curiosities, university and hospital research labs, churches, museums, theatres and other places of historical, architectural, technological or sustainable interest.
Spokesperson Robert Larocca says some highlights this year include Gate Lodge at the Melbourne General Cemetery, the Port of Melbourne Boat Tours and the Portable Iron Houses.
“Many Melburnians are familiar with the Gate Lodge at the Melbourne General Cemetery but have never had the chance to go inside. The Lodge is classified by the National Trust and will be open on both days,” Larocca says.
“For the first time Open House features a tour of a working port. On the free tour visitors will learn how the Coode Canal, built in 1886, opened up the port and see the Victoria Dock, which was constructed in 1892. While not part of this tour, Princes Pier is also part of the program.”
“The three portable iron houses in South Melbourne are a unique remnant of a former time when innovative ways had to be found to house the new city’s population,” says Larocca. “First built in around 1850 the portable houses enabled the colony to provide good quality housing entirely sourced overseas.”
Larocca says over five years Open House Melbourne has become a major winter event in the city, with last year’s event attracting 106,000 visits to 75 buildings.
One highly anticipated location this year is the supposedly haunted St Kilda Esplanade Vaults, originally built in 1891 as arch supports for raised tram tracks.
Larocca says the most popular buildings from 2011 are back and new additions include the new Royal Children's Hospital, the Hamer Hall redevelopment and a host of residential buildings.
For more information visit the Open House Melbourne website.
