The Old Treasury Building is one of the finest nineteenth century buildings in Australia - one of a handful of gold rush buildings to survive in Melbourne. Along with its companion building, the Parliament of Victoria, and the Government Printer’s Office nearby, it completed a suite of public buildings that expressed the wealth and self-confidence of the relatively youthful colony of Victoria.
Design
The first known contract drawings of the building were created in 1857 by John James ‘JJ’ Clark, a 19-year-old draftsman in the Public Works Department. His design for the Treasury Building is in the Renaissance Revival style, derived from the 'Italian palazzo' form popular in the nineteenth century. While the design changed before construction commenced, each version incorporated elements of the classic architectural orders: Doric, Ionic or Corinthian. JJ Clark was able to blend these traditional styles to create a wonderfully harmonious façade. Clark would go on to become one of the best-known architects in Australia and to design fine buildings in several states.
Construction
The first contract was given to Robert Huckson in January 1858 for the substructure, basement and ground floor. Huckson would later receive the contract for the next stage of the first and second floors.
The exterior was constructed with Bacchus March sandstone (or freestone) from the Bald Hills quarry, approximately 50 kilometres west of Melbourne. This is over brick walls, with bluestone foundations. The bluestone foundations were mined from Footscray, and the floor above the barrel-vaulted basement is one metre thick.
Although bluestone was plentiful, architects preferred the appearance of sandstone. Bacchus Marsh sandstone was chosen, as it was the best available from accessible quarries. Unfortunately it was to prove rather soft and prone to weathering, but there had not been time to test the longevity of different stone. The roof was clad with slate during 1861.
Exciting Technologies
The Treasury was one of the first Melbourne buildings to benefit from some innovative technologies then appearing. They included an innovative system of fireproof flooring, a travelling crane and a steam stone-cutting machine.
Finished yet unfinished
While the building itself was completed in 1862, a shortage of funds meant that the forecourt remained unfinished. Until 1868 the front steps and terrace were temporary, with individual staircases leading to the three main front doors. These were replaced with the grand forecourt still standing today. Eventually the forecourt would have a guardhouse as well.
The interior of the building was completed in 1872, when Alexander Borthwick designed the decorative scheme still visible in the governor’s suite on the ground floor.
The Old Treasury Building is one of Melbourne’s heritage icons and is listed on the state Heritage Register.