Located just two kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD lies the affluent area of East Melbourne. Long regarded as one of Melbourne’s most liveable cities, East Melbourne has been home to doctors, lawyers, politicians and captains of industry alike for many years.
Originally named after is location to the CBD, East Melbourne is bordered by Spring Street, Victoria Parade, Punt Road and Brunton Avenue and is a small inner-city suburb.
East Melbourne is home to many of Melbourne’s most notable landmarks. Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building, St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral and the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground are all in East Melbourne. Many other notable government buildings and cultural attractions reside in the area.
The area is also rich in parklands and gardens, including the historic Fitzroy, Treasury and Parliament Gardens, which separate East Melbourne from the central city.
Architecture in the area is characterised predominantly by Victorian era terrace housing and some of Melbourne’s earliest homes. While terrace housing is widespread, the area has a growing number of apartments as well as remnant mansions, some of which are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The oldest and largest house in the suburb is the blue stone colonial mansion, Bishopscourt, which dates back to 1853, and was used as Victoria’s Government House in 1874 – 1876.
During the 1960s and 1970s, while most of the inner-city suburbs were gentrifying, East Melbourne, traditionally a blue ribbon suburb, experienced a slow in housing prices and became home to many new apartment buildings, offering more affordable city living and replacing many of the old mansions. However, in the 1990s, many of the remaining mansions and Victorian terraces were placed on the heritage registers and remain some of Melbourne’s most exclusive housing.
Sporting enthusiasts can enjoy the excitement and energy of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MGC) on their doorstep, with the acclaimed venue located in the East Melbourne locality of Jolimont and playing host to many events throughout the year.
Located only a short walk from the CBD, and boasting rich parklands and heritage streetscapes, East Melbourne is one of Melbourne’s most sought after suburbs.
East Melbourne – the heart and heritage of Melbourne.