After a decade-long battle to preserve the Capitol building, demolition has commenced on this prominent South Yarra corner. The building started life as one of Melbourne’s cable-car engine-sheds before being converted to a bakery in 1936 after the trams were electrified. The makeover was designed by prolific local architect Harry Norris. The massive development of apartment blocks in South Yarra …

A permit has been issued by the City of Stonnington for the demolition of the Capitol Bakeries building and construction of a tower. The developer has until September 2008 to commence works but at present the building remains in place.  

A proposal is currently before the Stonnington Council for the construction of a 27-storey hotel complex on the corner of Chapel St and Toorak Rd. This proposal would require the demolition of the Capitol Bakeries building. Harry Norris designed two major bakeries in Melbourne; the other was the Northern Bakery building in Brunswick. The Capitol building has undergone many changes …