This classic book offers an insight into Melbourne’s architecture during the late 19th and early 20th century. Melbourne had rapidly expanded by the 1880s, due to the gold rush in the 1850s, and became one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the British Empire. It was later known as Marvellous Melbourne, representing its wealth and grandeur. The city was booming in business and banking, money poured in from overseas coupled with gold fortunes. The number of magnificent buildings built during this period is evidence of Melbourne’s status and its prospects; their size and grandeur of design are measures of the optimism and pride of Melbourne citizens. Lavish office buildings up to twelve storeys high rivalled those of New York, London, and Chicago, reflecting the fashion and culture of this era. The original book was written about Melbourne’s historic architecture in the 1980s as part of a school project. The original book sat on a bookshelf for over forty years and now rewritten with original and updated information and images. This enchanting pictorial book takes you on a nostalgic journey, featuring grand and elaborate institutions, coffee palaces, theatres, cinemas, hotels and so much more which make up our great city.