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Former Police Barracks

Other Names Victorian College of the Arts administration ,  Police Depot Location 234 St Kilda Road,, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006 - Property No B7091 File Number B7091 Level State

[1/1] B7091 Former Police Barracks

Statement of Significance

The former Police Barracks, designed by E Evan Smith, Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, and built in 1925, is historically and architecturally significant at the State level.
Historically, it is one of the few major Police Barracks buildings erected in Victoria and the main one of its period. It is important for housing all Police trainees from 1925 to 1971, and as part of one of the main Police compound and training centre in Victoria. It was built as a direct response to the Police strike of 1923, which resulted in a Royal Commission that found that Police accommodation was generally disgraceful.
Architecturally, the Barracks is an impressive example of the Georgian Revival of the early 20th century, a style that was rarely applied to large institutional buildings in Victoria. Perhaps intended to evoke a domestic quality, the small scale of the details, particularly the central bay, appear out of proportion to the building as a whole. It is a landmark on St. Kilda Road, one of a series of institutional buildings on the west side of the street.
Classified: 13/11/2000