Lonsdale House on the cover of Robin Grow's book Melbourne Art Deco (used with permission)

The complete demolition of Lonsdale House begins this weekend with the closure of Caledonian Lane and will take place over the next couple of weeks.

George Lekakis of the Herald Sun ran a story this week on the fate of the Melbourne landmark this week – “Melbourne’s heritage building Lonsdale House lost to wrecker’s ball“.  Although it is the first time the Herald Sun has really covered the story since the decision was announced, it has received over 100 comments, most expressing dismay at the demolition of the heritage building.

The Save Lonsdale House group which included representatives from the Art Deco Society and National Trust presented over 3,200 signatures to retain the heritage status of Lonsdale House however these were largely ignored by the City of Melbourne and State planning minister, refusing to save even the facade and distinctive tower.

Along with the demolition of Caledonian lane, the demolition work also involves the gutting and facadism of two significant Victorian era high rise commercial buildings which once formed a signficant streetscape.  Along with recent demolitions including Penfold’s Buildings in Fitzroy, Melbourne’s art deco heritage is under severe threat with few of the remaining handful of art deco buildings in the building having sufficient state level heritage listings to save them in the event of this kind of redevelopment.

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