Autumn 2010 - Preservation News
One of Melbourne's iconic Art Deco buildings, Lonsdale House, was recently demolished by its owners, Colonial First State, with the support of Myer Pty Ltd, the State Government and the City of Melbourne. To the Minister for Planning, 'heritage' architects who supported the demolition, Heritage Victoria, and City Councillors - shame. To the thousands of people who signed on-line petitions to express their support for the building, and their disgust with the State Government and City of Melbourne, we say thanks.

Summer 2010 - Preservation News
To the shame of the Victorian State government and the City of Melbourne, one of our most significant Art Deco buildings is awaiting demolition (and may well be gone before the end of summer).

Spring 2009 - Preservation News
The decision by the Victorian Planning Minister to issue a permit for the demolition of Lonsdale House has resulted in significant community outrage, with incredulous citizens asking how a government (supported by the City of Melbourne) could allow this to happen. During August a public rally was held, and thousands of signatures have been collected to present to the politicians involved. Go to savelonsdalehouse.com. ADMS thanks Sean Fishlock, a new member, for his energy and enthusiasm in organising the protests. Sean also runs a terrific webiste called Walking Melbourne at www.walkingmelbourne.com/forum/index.php.

Winter 2009 - Preservation News
The state government has just approved the demolition of Lonsdale House to enable the widening of Caledonian Lane to service the re-developed Myer Lonsdale Street store. The decision was made solely by the Minister for Planning, who rejected our arguments for a public process and for the adaptive re-use of the building. The Minister had asked the City of Melbourne for comment - despite the building having a grading of B under the Melbourne Planning Scheme, the Council raised no objection to demolition. So a wonderfully iconic and elegant building will now be replaced by another glass box and a widened lane.

Autumn 2009 - Preservation News
The Myer Corporation and Colonial First State have lodged an application for Stage 2 of the redevelopment of the Myers store complex in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Because of the size of the project, the Minister of Planning is the Responsible Authority, rather than the City of Melbourne. The application includes the proposal to demolish Lonsdale House. The developers have also applied to the Minister to have the building removed from the Planning Scheme, where it is part of the Post Office Precinct heritage overlay, and thus remove the limited protection that it currently enjoys. A new 9 storey building has been proposed for the site but the main justification for the demolition is to widen Caledonian Lane, which abuts the building, from 4m wide to 8m to allow delivery trucks to pass each other in the lane. The idea that an historic, highly recognised building should be demolished for a lane-widening project has aroused widespread derision and anger, particularily as the developers have made it clear that they are not interested in adaptive re-use of the building, an option that could enable the lane widening whilst preserving much of the historic fabric. ADMS, together with the National Trust, will be vigorously opposing this outrageous and inappropriate proposal.

Summer 2009 - Preservation News
The Myer Corporation and their corporate bankers, Colonial First State, have announced that they intend to lodge an application with the City of Melbourne for the demolition of Lonsdale House, a wonderful example of Moderne styling on an interwar commercial building. In 1934, the noted Melbourne architect, IG Anderson, transformed two 19th Century warehouses and capped the new building with a stylish tower. The building is part of a heritage overlay (Post Office Precinct) under the Melbourne Planning Scheme and we will expect that the City will vigorously oppose this proposal. Stay tuned.

Spring 2008 - Preservation News
Lonsdale House, with its fabulous Art Deco tower, was nominated by AD&MS to the Victorian Heritage Register but was unsuccessful. Following a hearing with a panel from the Historica Buildings Council, the original decision was supported and the panel agreed that it was not of State significance. However, the panel was split in its decision. A major outcome of the meeting was that the building has been recognised by its owners and by Heritage Victoria as a good example of a commercial building from the Art Deco era.

Winter 2008 - Preservation News
Following the announcement by the Myer department store of the proposed demolition of Lonsdale, one of Melbourne's most iconic Art Deco buildings, the building was nominated by ADS to the Victorian Heritage Register but was unsuccessful. ADS has requested a review of the decision, with a hearing scheduled for October.

Autumn 2008 - Preservation News
Lonsdale House was recently nominated by ADS to the Victorian Heritage Register. However, Heritage Victoria has advised that nomination has been unsuccessful. ADS has th eopportunity to make further representations concerning the non-recommendation.