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Law Courts Precinct

Other Name Supreme Court Of Victoria Location 192-228 William Street and 462-498 Little Bourke Street, MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY File Number B0115 Level National

[1/2] B0115 Supreme Court [2/2] B0115 Law Courts Detail

Statement of Significance

Designed by the architects, Smith & Johnson in 1873 in the Classical style with Italian influence, foundation work commenced in 1874 and the first court sitting was held in 1884.
The very large two storey hollow square block of buildings occupies half a city block; William Street between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets. It includes administrative offices, Judges' Chambers and court rooms and encloses a courtyard from which rises the free standing Supreme Court Library beneath the finely proportioned dome (separately classified B1078).
The exterior shows the excellent carving of the Tasmanian sandstone and the Malmsbury bluestone base and internally the floor mounted gasolier (now electric) in the centre of the library, the very elaborate moulded plasterwork on walls and ceilings, and the robust detailing of the benches, Judges' canopies, cedar panelling are particularly noteworthy.
Classified: 'State' 05/06/1958.
Revised:10/10/1977