Lombard Building, Heritage-listed commercial building in Melbourne CBD, Australia

The Lombard Building is a heritage-listed seven-story commercial structure in Melbourne's central business district. It features load-bearing brick walls, internal iron framing, a stucco facade with arched openings, pediments, pilasters, and a large Diocletian window positioned prominently on its face.

The structure was built between 1889 and 1890 by architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart for Balfour, Elliott & Co during Melbourne's land boom period. Construction took place during a time of rapid economic expansion driven by the real estate surge of that decade.

The facade was designed to signal the wealth of its owners, Balfour, Elliott & Co., through free classical ornament: arched openings, pediments, pilasters, a Hellenistic frieze and a large Diocletian window. The picturesque roofline, with a pedimented parapet and bold flanking chimney stacks, shows the Queen Anne Revival influence. The building still houses office practices, as it did when new.

The building sits in an easily accessible central location with direct access to streets and public transportation options. Since this is an active commercial office building, visitors should expect limited interior access outside of scheduled tours or special events.

The building was among the first in Melbourne to use elevator technology, and received an electric lift installation in 1926. This addition complemented its original hydraulic system and shows how office buildings were modernized with new technology during the early 20th century.