Austral Building, Heritage-listed building in Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
The Austral Building is a five-story structure with basement located on Collins Street in Melbourne, featuring red brick walls with cement details and steep slate roofs. Metal-framed shop fronts at ground level were added at different periods, while the upper levels contained professional offices and commercial spaces.
Architect Nahum Barnet completed this building in 1891 for magazine publisher Alexander McKinley & Co during Melbourne's period of economic growth. It was built during a time when the city was expanding and required new office spaces for growing businesses.
The upper floors once housed artist studios where photographer JW Lindt and several painters created their works. It served as a gathering place for creative professionals working in Melbourne's art scene.
The building is located on a main street with good accessibility and is easy to find. Visitors should note that as a historic structure it has limited accessibility features, and access to the upper levels involves climbing narrow stairs.
The building served as headquarters for the Austral Salon, a women's club dedicated to academic learning, and later housed the Melbourne Arts League. It was thus an important venue for women interested in education and supporting the arts.
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