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General Post Office & Parcels Post Building

Other Name Mail Exchange Building Location 670 - 696 Bourke Street,, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 - Property No B3399 File Number B3399 Level Regional

[1/2] B3399 Fmr Mail Exchange [2/2] B3399 Melbourne Mail Exchange

Statement of Significance

Built during 1913-17 to the design of the office of the Commonwealth Home Affairs under Chief Architect, Horace J Mackennal, the seven storey steel-framed Mail Exchange Building is architecturally significant at the state level as an impressive example of the conservative classical design by the youthful Commonwealth government and in being distinguished by its Greek flavour, ten years ahead of Melbourne's mainstream Modern Greek Revival. Its architectural significance is enhanced by its corner siting and relationship with the generally Edwardian streetscape to the east and by its external integrity. The metal framed windows are early for a major building.
The Mail Exchange Building is historically significant as a major public building constructed as an extension to the Melbourne General Post Office and situated on a prominent city site that is strategically located opposite its major distribution point, Spencer Street Station (Souther Cross Station), at the western end of Melbourne. The building is technologically significant in reflecting the changing requirements of the postal service and the modernisation of the mail system.
Classified: 26/07/1990
Revised: 17/04/1991