Then and Now: Lonsdale Street Looking East

Then: Lonsdale Street, ca. 1930-69

Now: Lonsdale Street, 2010 (taken from the overpass between Melbourne Central and Myer)

The photos below show Lonsdale Street looking east, with the intersection between Lonsdale and Swanston Streets clearly visible. Aside from the skyscrapers in the background, the most notable change between the two pictures relates to Lonsdale House, which was demolished in 2009-10. In the old photo, you can see Lonsdale House on the right-hand side of the picture, just to the left of Myer. By contrast, the new photo reveals the vacant site where the building once stood. The current gap provides a clear view of Curtin House on Swanston Street (which houses Cookie, Toff in Town and Rooftop Bar).  I will post on the demolition of Lonsdale House and new plans for the site shortly. 

Photo Credits:

Above: Commercial Photographic Co. Photographers, Lonsdale Street [ca. 1930-69], Harold Paynting Collection, State Library of Victoria

Below: My own, 2010