Parliament House in Melbourne stands as a majestic symbol of Victoria's rich political history and architectural grandeur. Located on Spring Street, at the edge of the Hoddle Grid, its grand colonnaded front creates a striking vista up Bourke Street, inviting visitors to delve into its storied past and intricate design.
The roots of Parliament House trace back to the Victorian gold rush and the subsequent population boom, which ignited calls for greater democracy and a dedicated space for political debate. Before Victoria achieved self-government in 1851, Governor Charles La Trobe tasked Surveyor General Robert Hoddle with selecting a site for the new parliament. Hoddle's choice was the eastern hill at the top of Bourke Street, a location that offered commanding views over the entire city. However, it wasn't until April 1854 that the current Spring Street site was formally agreed upon after much debate.
The journey to finalize the design of Parliament House was turbulent, with multiple architects and designs being considered and rejected. The first design emerged in 1851 by Colonial Architect Henry Ginn, but a competition in 1853 led to his resignation. The winning design by Smith & Pritchard was also set aside. Eventually, Captain Pasley, the newly appointed Chief Engineer, prepared a design by April 1854, which was later reworked by architects John Knight and Peter Kerr into a grander vision. Their final design, completed in 1855, was an extraordinary and elaborate structure, reflecting the wealth generated by the gold rush. It featured a columned screen on three sides, statuary atop the cornice, grand stairs, and a towering dome.
Construction of Parliament House began in December 1855, starting with the two chambers: one for the Victorian Legislative Assembly and a smaller, more ornate chamber for the Victorian Legislative Council. The construction progressed rapidly, and by November 1856, the first session of the Victorian Government in the new chambers was opened, marking a significant milestone in Victoria's political history.
Between 1858 and 1860, the Library and eastern wing were constructed. The selection of stone for the exterior was a contentious issue, with various options being considered and rejected. Ultimately, freestone from Bacchus Marsh was chosen, though it decayed rapidly and required replacement with stone from Tasmania. The completion of the Library connected the two legislative chambers at the rear, forming a U-shaped building and showcasing the first expression of Peter Kerr's architectural vision.
In 1876, a Royal Commission recommended the addition of a large dome and the appointment of Peter Kerr as the leading architect. Kerr's revised plans in 1877 simplified the original design, replacing the tower with a dome and emphasizing a long colonnade. By 1879, the Great Hall (renamed Queen's Hall in 1887) and the Vestibule were completed, providing a formal entry to Parliament House and a space for receptions and banquets.
The construction of the grand classical colonnaded front facing Bourke Street began in the 1880s. The process was delayed by the search for a suitable Victorian stone, eventually settling on sandstone from Mt Difficult in the Grampians National Park. The colonnade and grand front entry stairs were completed in 1889, with final interior decorations and additional elements like the ornate wrought-iron fence and bronze lions being added in 1890 and 1891.
From 1901 to 1927, Parliament House served as the temporary home of the Commonwealth of Australia's Federal Government while the new capital city, Canberra, was being developed. During this period, the Victorian Parliament met in the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. Many significant events in Australia's early federal history took place within these walls, including the formation of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party and the declaration of the Great War in 1914.
Parliament House resumed its original role as the Victorian Parliament chambers in 1928. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register in 1982, the building celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2005-2006. While several governments have considered completing the original design by constructing the dome, the substantial cost has deterred them. In recent years, a $40 million two-storey office building, known as the Members Annexe, was constructed in the gardens of Parliament House to provide additional office space for MPs. Designed by Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design, the annexe is embedded into the landscape to minimize its impact on the historic building and ensure quick access for members to the legislative chambers.
Parliament House in Melbourne is not just a building; it is a testament to Victoria's rich history and architectural ambition. Its grand design, historical significance, and ongoing role in the state's political life make it a must-visit landmark for anyone interested in the story of Victoria and Australia.
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