Nestled within Melbourne’s bustling streets and historic neighbourhoods lies a treasure trove of stunning architectural buildings, each contributing to the city’s unique charm and character. Among these, iconic verandahs stand as timeless symbols of the city’s rich heritage and architectural ingenuity. From the ornate wrought iron lacework adorning historic arcades to the sleek modern designs gracing contemporary buildings, Melbourne’s verandahs encapsulate the city’s diverse history and cultural tapestry.
In this article, we’ll embark on a journey through Melbourne’s streets to discover some of its most iconic verandahs. From the grandeur of Flinders Street Station to the quaint charm of St Kilda’s seaside promenade, each verandah tells a story of Melbourne’s past, present, and future.
Case studies in iconic Melbourne verandahs
- Block Arcade: Located on Collins Street, The Block Arcade features a stunning cast iron verandah with intricate lacework detailing. This iconic Victorian-era arcade, built in the late 19th century, is renowned for its elegant design and historical significance.
- Flinders Street Station: One of Melbourne’s most recognizable landmarks, showcases a prominent verandah that spans the length of its main facade. The verandah, supported by distinctive green-painted steel columns, adds to the station’s grandeur and serves as a shelter for commuters.
- Fitzroy Town Hall: The Fitzroy Town Hall, located in the inner-city suburb of Fitzroy, features a notable verandah adorned with decorative wrought iron balustrades and embellishments. Built in the late 19th century, this verandah adds to the town hall’s architectural charm and heritage significance.
- Royal Exhibition Building: This stunning building in Carlton Gardens boasts a magnificent verandah that wraps around its perimeter. Designed in the late 19th century for Melbourne’s international exhibitions, the building’s verandah features ornate ironwork and provides a picturesque setting for events and gatherings.
- St Kilda Esplanade: The historic verandahs along the St Kilda Esplanade in the seaside suburb of St Kilda are iconic features of Melbourne’s coastal landscape. These verandahs, lining the bustling waterfront promenade, offer stunning views of Port Phillip Bay and are popular spots for leisurely strolls and alfresco dining.
- The Hotel Windsor: This iconic hotel, dating back to the late 19th century, features a verandah adorned with elegant wrought iron railings, providing a delightful spot for guests to enjoy Melbourne’s street life.
- The Princess Theatre: The nearby Princess Theatre, also situated on Spring Street, showcases a beautiful verandah with decorative cast ironwork and classic Victorian-era styling. This historic theatre, known for its grand architecture and theatrical productions, features a verandah that adds to its architectural allure.
Build your own iconic Melbourne verandah
While the verandahs on this list certainly deserve their place, we’ve got a few (hundred) suggestions for more modern architectural pieces that also deserve a mention.
Outside Concepts has been around since 1991 – not quite as long as the Melbourne verandahs in this list. In that time we have built thousands of verandahs in Melbourne and surrounds and all have a place in history.
To design and build your own iconic Melbourne verandah in the northern and eastern suburbs, the person to contact is Ron Matz. His team from our North Eastern Branch can help you with all aspects, from the design and quote, to organising planning approval, the build and a total clean up at the end.
From concept to clean-up, you truly can rely on Outside Concepts.
Find out about Outside Concepts’ 10-year structural warranty. Call us on 1800 601 674.
To design and build your own iconic Melbourne verandah, give Outside Concepts a call.