Art deco landmarks listed saved from David Jones in a nick of time

Myer and David Jones are currently having a redevelopment war in the Melbourne CBD with each vying to have the more impressive buildings. Unfortunately, this means several of their current buildings is getting in the way of their plans. Following the shock demolition of landmarks like the Victorian landmark Old Eastern Arcade, it is refreshing to see that several of Melbourne's most important art deco buildings have been saved from a David Jones proposal by Heritage Victoria.

To me it is a disgrace that these buildings should even state protection. Any development proposal which ignores the value of buildings of this importance is completely naive to the significance of the collection of art buildings in Melbourne's retail core.

However several other buildings on the site will not escape the attention of the development, and we'll look at some of these over the next week.

Three city buildings preserved Kate Lahey July 18, 2008 THREE David Jones buildings in Melbourne's CBD have been given heritage protection for their architectural, historical and social significance. The Victorian Heritage Register listing comes as the Bourke Street department store prepares for an $85 million redevelopment. The buildings are the two former Buckley & Nunn buildings on the north side of Bourke Street and the former Coles building on the south side of Bourke Street. Heritage Council of Victoria chairman Daryl Jackson said the buildings were fine examples of their architectural styles. The western Buckley & Nunn building, built in 1911-12, has been recognised for its Edwardian baroque facade and art deco-style ceiling decoration. The 1933 eastern building is an example of the jazz moderne style with glazed black tiles and decorative windows.
Its art deco-style lifts have also survived.