Articles: Flinders St restoration

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Flinders St station still awaiting restoration

Flinders St station still awaiting restoration
ANDREW STEPHENS
December 21, 2009

MELBOURNE'S much-loved icon, Flinders Street Station, celebrates its centenary next month, but the building remains underused and partly dilapidated despite repeated attempts to have it returned to its former glory, say lobbyists calling for it to become an arts-design hub.

Jenny Davies, author of Beyond the Facade, history of the station, says the site has been put in the too-hard basket by successive governments. It is sorely neglected, she said, despite having a rich history of public use and being one of the finest examples of early 20th century architecture in the country.

''It's the heart and soul of Melbourne,'' said Davies, whose research puts the centenary date at January 22.

Eloise Peace, secretary of arts space the Sticky Institute, is forming a lobby group called the Depot of Creative Industry to turn the station's disused areas - which she said is about a third of the building - into an arts precinct.

She estimates it needs $10 million work to meet modern building standards. She will lobby the Government to lease the site to arts organisations and commercial design firms.

''As far as commercial development goes, it isn't viable because you have to sink in so much money,'' said Ms Peace. ''It would be really nice to put it back into some sort of public use, but have it commercially sustainable as well.''

A spokesman for Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said refurbishments would be costly at a time ''when patronage on the rail network is increasing and the priority is to build new stations, extra tracks and deliver more trains''.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Push to restore Flinders St Station


http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2009/11/30/1225805/305201-metro-trains.jpg

Push to restore Flinders St Station

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * January 22, 2010 12:00AM

FLINDERS St station could be revived under a plan to turn Melbourne's grand central station into an arts and culture hub.

Metro and Yarra Trams have also been called upon to provide ideas on how to use the empty space.

The station, which turns 100 tomorrow, could be transformed under plans put forward by the Council for Adult Education.

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said Flinders St was more than just a train station. "In its heyday the station building was used for everything from dances, to community group meetings (and) a creche," he said.

The CAE has approached the Government with a plan to turn unused space, including the famous ballroom, into rooms for exhibitions, classrooms and studios.

"While it's an early proposal it is a good one because it provides a real option to return the Flinders St station building to the community," Mr Pakula said.

But he said the Government's spending priority would be its $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan to tackle road congestion and improve public transport.

The CAE proposal follows a call by the National Trust.

Trust chief executive Martin Purslow said fixing up the station would "put the majestic building back at the heart of the community, where it belongs".

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Finish off our gem

Finish off our gem

    * AMY HATTAM
    * From: Sunday Herald Sun
    * February 28, 2010 12:01AM

FOR 100 years, Flinders Street Station has arguably been Melbourne's most iconic building.

But little do the 100,000 people who pass through the station every day know that the building was supposed to look a lot grander than its current facade.

It's a secret that has stood the test of time, but the Sunday Herald Sun has been provided with sketches of the original building concept, which includes an elevated roof spanning the 14 platforms.

The roof was not completed because the project ran out of money and another level was added to house the Railway Institute.

In the station's centenary year, prominent Melburnians and architect experts have called for the building to be completed.

Former lord mayor and mover and shaker Ron Walker has thrown his support behind the renovation, as has the Public Transport Users Association.

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Mr Walker said the project could be funded by gambling revenue.

"It should not be taken away from other major infrastructure projects such as upgrading of freeways, hospital improvements and social services," Mr Walker said.

"I think most people in Melbourne would love to see the building created per the winning design, because it speaks volumes about what Melbourne is really about - conservatism, honesty and integrity in the way we do things, compared with the flamboyance of Sydney," he said. If given the go-ahead, additional vaults and glass walls would complete the original plan, chosen after the project was put out to tender.

The winner was named "Green Light", by architect James Fawcett and civil engineer HPC Ashworth. They were awarded 500 pounds prizemoney.

But their plans were altered when the additional level was added. The roof - costing 28,000 pounds - was scrapped when they needed the money to build the fourth level.

Internationally renowned architecture expert Prof Phil Goad also backed the proposal.

"Why not build the vaults and glass walls of the original competition design, or insert a stunning new arrival structure that in some way echoes the ambition and grandeur of the original design?" Prof Goad, from the University of Melbourne, said.

Tony Morton, from the PTUA, said the first priority should be fixing Melbourne's public transport system and then the Flinders Street Station.

"Compared to what Myki is costing us, it will be small change," Mr Morton said.

The plans are included in a historical exhibition - Celebrating 100 years of Flinders Street Station - by Melbourne researcher Jenny Davies

[#Metro]

She estimates it needs $10 million work to meet modern building standards. She will lobby the Government to lease the site to arts organisations and commercial design firms.

''As far as commercial development goes, it isn't viable because you have to sink in so much money,'' said Ms Peace. ''It would be really nice to put it back into some sort of public use, but have it commercially sustainable as well.''

Right. First she says that it is not commercially viable due to the cost, and then she turns around and effectively asks for $10 million? Flinders Street Station should be viable, for many occupants given its sheer size and especially given that it is Melbourne's Premier transport and meeting hub. And it has a ballroom- suitable for a very interesting nightclub or botique hotel or food venue. There should be enough space for everyone- even arts organisations or theatre/movies or cabaret...

Any occupant could be charged rent which would go some way to restore the building.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Radical scheme for Flinders St

Radical scheme for Flinders St

    * David Hastie
    * From: Sunday Herald Sun
    * August 08, 2010 12:00AM

A BOLD plan to revamp Melbourne's crumbling Flinders St Station will be put to transport bureaucrats on Monday.

International design firm Grimshaw Architects has drawn up plans for a state-of-the-art redevelopment of the 100-year-old city landmark.

The building has been sliding into disrepair over decades.

Grimshaw, which designed the award-winning Southern Cross Station, is expected raise the proposal at tomorrow's meeting regarding the new Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel project.

In one of the plans seen by the Sunday Herald Sun, a western concourse would be built above the rail lines at the Elizabeth St end of the station, opening to a social and commercial precinct.

The plans would transform the disused Milk Dock into a vibrant retail area and the new Elizabeth St concourse would open up to Northbank and Flinders Walk, while respecting its historic overlay.

One roof would be built across the platforms between concourses, creating a safer, open environment in the mould of Southern Cross Station.

As the neglect of the heritage-listed transport hub drags on, the private sector has circled for the chance to redevelop the landmark and turn it into a commercial and social precinct.

It is understood former transport minister Lynne Kosky, who resigned in January, was shown plans for the station's refurbishment by at least one private management company in 2008.

Redevelopment plans were also included in Connex's unsuccessful bid to renew its contract with the State Government last year.

Exclusive pictures taken during the week reveal the true extent of the station's neglect.

Derelict corridors within the historic Flinders St building expose leaking ceilings and extensive water damage, with buckets in place to catch the leaks.

Rooms no longer in use are a dumping ground for documents, furniture and even uniforms from the Connex era.

The once grand ballroom is covered in a thick layer of dust and inhabited by rats.

Despite murmurs this year of the Council for Adult Education's plan to turn the historic building's unused space into an arts and culture centre, the State Government is yet to act. Department of Transport spokeswoman Kirsten Taylor said the Government was considering options for the possible re-use of the Flinders St Station building.

"Any redevelopment or future use of the iconic building will be determined after careful consideration of all viable options, any potential impacts on the public transport system and the building's status as one of Victoria's important heritage assets," Ms Taylor said.

Opposition planning spokesman Matthew Guy described the lack of action as a "disgrace".

He said there was no reason why the Government could not call for tenders under a Public Private Partnership, much like Southern Cross Station.

"The failure to redevelop Flinders St Station is proof positive that the Labor Government has no long-term vision for Melbourne," Mr Guy said.

"It is the obvious missing link in the connectivity between the city and Southbank.

"This doesn't have to be solely a government project."

Rail, Tram and Bus Union state secretary Trevor Dobbyn said the station had been neglected for too long.

"It is in a shameful state of disrepair," Mr Dobbyn said.

"As a workplace, our members deserve better, as a major transport hub commuters deserve better and as a landmark and icon Melbourne deserves better.

"A redevelopment of the site is overdue. We want to see the dignity and grandeur of the building restored and amenities improved."

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle supported a redevelopment.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

$20m to restore Flinders St station experts say

$20m to restore Flinders St station experts say

    * Stephen McMahon
    * From: Herald Sun
    * October 14, 2010 12:00AM

ABOUT $20 million would be enough to restore Flinders St station to its former majesty with laneway-style small shops, bars, offices and even apartments, industry experts say.

But the State Government has branded Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu's million-dollar design competition a glorified drawing feast, with one MP calling him the "Mr Squiggle of Victorian politics".

Most urban design experts said a well thought-out renovation incorporating an open plaza for markets or even small concerts could turn it into a hub.

The development of another Melbourne Central-style shopping centre was, however, ruled out as a tasteless option.

This comes after the Herald Sun revealed Mr Baillieu's plan to restore the long-neglected station if he wins power.

Premier John Brumby yesterday shot down the idea, saying it was not a priority and would cost "tens and tens of millions of dollars".

This is despite the station being included in Tourism Victoria's 2005 Summary of Strategy Work aimed at developing CBD attractions.

Mr Baillieu rejected the Government's position as sour grapes.

University of Melbourne professor of architecture and urban design Kim Dovey backed the project.

"The Brumby Government has dropped the ball and doesn't understand the benefits of major urban renewal projects," he said.

In a 2007 National Trust poll, the public voted the station the state's leading heritage symbol. But Mr Brumby said revamp plans proved too costly.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Action needed on Flinders Street station, says Lord Mayor Robert Doyle

Action needed on Flinders Street station, says Lord Mayor Robert Doyle

   * Robert Doyle
   * From: Sunday Herald Sun
   * February 27, 2011 12:00AM

FIDDLE, fiddle, fiddle. That's what we've done with Flinders St Station and the surrounding precinct for much of the past 50 years.

The station should be a jewel and the Flinders-Swanston intersection one of the great gateways of the world.

The opening to the city, approached by the magnificent boulevard of St Kilda Rd and the wonderful Princes Bridge over the Yarra - it is the focus of our great parade route, a memorable civic space with iconic buildings on each corner.

During the election campaign, Ted Baillieu announced a $1 million prize: a design competition for Flinders St station. If the Federation Square example is a reasonable comparison, then design announcement until completion is about five years.

It would complete the renovation and restoration of the four corners of our great intersection, where hundreds of thousands of people pass through every day. And it would do justice to perhaps our most recognisable architectural icon.

But we will miss an opportunity to dream large if the conversation is limited to the station.

Certainly its facade and primary function must be preserved. But there is so much scope to consider the whole precinct and the relation of the station to its city environment.

And we can give ourselves a chance to fix the fiddling of the past.

Let's look towards the station from four sides. First, from Queen to Elizabeth towards Flinders St. From this perspective, there are great opportunities.

From Queen to Elizabeth along Flinders is not an attractive vista. The architecturally historic Banana Alley Vaults are in poor repair. There is the ugliest wasteland of empty space before you hit the station.

It's easy to imagine the station facade restored - a no-brainer. But the vaults should also be jewels, opening on to the river. And there is a great opportunity for a new building to fill the ugly space between Queen and Elizabeth.

I don't think we'll miss the ramshackle adult book shop. That new building could be a six-star green building, connect the city and Northbank to Southbank via Sandridge Bridge.

A first-class retail, office and commercial building could potentially generate the revenue for the station's renovations. While we are at it, we could remove the ugly, messy tram terminus at Elizabeth St, bring the trams around the corner and connect them to the city tram network as was done at Bourke and Spring streets in the 1990s.

Remove the ugly, transform the historic, make public transport connected. Step One.

From the St Paul's perspective: no messing around. A world-class heritage restoration of the grand old lady's face: clocks, steps and dome. The ultimate facelift. Step Two.

From the Southbank side, we have an historic accident: Flinders St Station was never designed to be looked at from Southbank. Southbank was a swamp. And the builders cut corners a bit on the station; it is timber, with sheet metal painted red to look like big bricks.

But if you have seen the historic corrugated iron service building retained and renovated at the back of the Intercontinental Hotel redevelopment in Flinders Lane, it can be quite an interesting perspective. But again, keep it simple. And original. Step Three.

The final perspective, from Federation Square, offers real potential for the city.

I know we would all like to see the Jolimont rail yard covered to add to Fed Square but, realistically, cost compared with return probably means that project is decades away.

Federation Square has become one of the great plazas of Melbourne, as it was designed to be. But what does it look at? A mess of a "super" tram stop that doesn't work in peak hour. If you can see past the tangle of advertising, milling people, concrete and poles, the station presents a clutter of retail users huddling in the concourse.

Open it up.

First, restore the intersection so you can cross directly from corner to corner, station to Fed Square. It would be easy to move the tram stop down to the corner and create a pedestrian crossing right at the corner.

And we need something better than a "super" stop. It should be a central platform, like in Flinders St, so the trams move around the outside of the stop, with a butterfly canopy roof and a wide platform serving the large number of passengers who dangerously crowd on to the available platform space now.

One wide central stop would service the separate AM and PM crowds better than the present fixed, inflexible stop. That would make the tram stop safer, more visually unobtrusive and closer to the real corner. It then opens up a wonderful vista, from the open plaza of Fed Square, across Swanston St and into an open, but covered and busy, station concourse.

And a world-class intersection is reborn.

As for what goes into the station, that's limited only by our imagination. Always incorporating a busy station, it could also be a boutique hotel. Offices. Retail, including food - even a supermarket. Or it could be community use: a library and resource centre. CAE. Space for creative industries: arts, both visual and performing. Galleries.

But that is a separate conversation.

Back in the 1970s, the precinct had warts: Princes Bridge station, the Gas and Fuel Towers, a rundown Young & Jackson pub.

Federation Square is the biggest railway deck ever built in Australia. It's really a mattress as well as a deck. To build it required the demolition of the infamous Gas and Fuel Towers.

Originally announced in 1996, it was finally opened in 2002 and has since become a central meeting point for millions of people.

Although we love Flinders St, it has fallen into disrepair over decades. We have fiddled with it: the concourse altered in 1985 (hideous); refurbished ramps, escalators and shops (Cain in 1984-85 and immediately outdated), $10 million to fix the leaking roof (Batchelor 2005).

Talk about trains being late or cancelled - what about a plan for the station? Maybe, at last - time to stop fiddling and fix!

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Luxury hotel planned for Flinders St station

Luxury hotel planned for Flinders St station

    Peter Rolfe
    From: Sunday Herald Sun
    July 24, 2011 12:00AM

A BOUTIQUE luxury hotel with sweeping views of Melbourne's CBD, an upmarket shopping mall modelled on the city's GPO and a new pedestrian passageway across St Kilda Rd are among the big-ticket items being considered for a Flinders St station revamp.

The building's grand ballroom could also be turned into a major function centre under plans being considered by the State Government to restore the cherished landmark to its former glory.

The Government intends to push ahead with its pre-election pledge for a $1 million international architecture competition to breathe life into the station, and will soon appoint a panel to help choose the winning design.

But, to the chagrin of Victorian developers desperate to address the shocking state of the landmark, it has warned major work is not expected to start for at least four years, when it might not even be in office.

Major Projects Minister Denis Napthine said the Government was aware of the state of disrepair but intended to run the competition in its first term and start major refurbishment work afterwards.

"It is going to be an enormous challenge to deal with the heritage, the functionality of the railway station and the confines of space," Dr Napthine said.

"But 10 or 15 years ago there was a competition to come up with the design of Federation Square and now it is one of the . . . most iconic parts of Melbourne."

Dr Napthine said the focus was likely to be on the disused grand ballroom, milk dock area west of the main building and vacant land along Flinders St.

Several developers have voiced an interest in building upmarket retail space in the complex, and the Government will look at better connecting concourse areas and potentially open new ones.

"There's a chance to get a better flow between Flinders St station and Federation Square in terms of design and people movement," Dr Napthine said.

"There is an option for a hotel with a major function centre based around the old ballroom. There are some beautiful decks that give beautiful views of the river and St Kilda Rd and the Shrine, which could be spectacular dining options."

It is believed the Government has found trouble establishing competition rules, who will judge it and how it will work.

It must also decide what parts will be revamped and what will be left alone in line with strict heritage overlays. "What we'd like to do is move from continual maintenance to a bright new era for the building," Dr Napthine said.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Boutique hotel idea for Flinders St Station

Boutique hotel idea for Flinders St Station

    by: Greg Thom
    From: Herald Sun
    October 01, 2011 12:00AM

FLINDERS St Station could be transformed into a boutique hotel.

Minutes of a meeting between train operator Metro and the Transport Department, released under Freedom of Information, reveal the proposal was raised in discussions on the station's future.

Greens MP Greg Barber said minutes from the monthly Network Development Partnership meeting in March said a report had been prepared for the State Government "which demonstrated that the station building may be viable for commercial leasing (such as a boutique hotel)."

Mr Barber slammed the idea of building a hotel at the century-old station.

"Flinders Street Station gets busier every year," he said. "We need more and better facilities for passengers and railway staff, not another poshy hotel."

Mr Barber said talk of a hotel was even stranger, given a $1 million prize launched by Premier Ted Baillieu last year for ways to redevelop the station.

"I can't see how they can run an architectural design competition until they have decided what the building is to be used as and that's something the public might want to have their say on," Mr Barber said.

"It's (Flinders St Station) already got a pokie joint attached to it, which is not great for problem gamblers to walk past every day on their way to work.

"Can we please just have something that's for the benefit of passengers?"

A government spokesman confirmed a hotel has been proposed as part of the Flinders Street Station Design Competition.

"The competition aims to attract a range of the most exciting and the most innovative ideas for potential redevelopment and uses of the Flinders Street Station building while preserving the heritage aspects and the transport functionality of the precinct," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said guidelines for the design competition were still being finalised.

Transport Department spokesman David Stockman would not comment.

[Gazza]

We need more and better facilities for passengers and railway staff, not another poshy hotel."

I'm not sure what passenger facilites you could put on the 5th floor 

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Classics touted for Flinders St station overhaul

Classics touted for Flinders St station overhaul

    by: John Masanauskas
    From: Herald Sun
    February 29, 2012 12:00AM

CLASSIC London railway stations such as Victoria and King's Cross St Pancras have been put forward as models for an international competition to redevelop Flinders St station.

Bureaucrats suggested a showbook of overseas projects to whet Premier Ted Baillieu's appetite after the competition's launch date was delayed last year, documents released to the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information reveal.

London's King's Cross St Pancras, successfully renovated at a cost of more than $1 billion recently, was nominated in emails, as was the Victoria station redevelopment, and plans for other stations in Europe and Asia.

Mr Baillieu announced the $1 million design prize in November, saying the 102-year-old city landmark was deteriorating and needed a major refurbishment.

"The administration building is in an advanced state of deterioration and has substantial areas that do not meet building code requirements and are not legally occupiable," a project overview in documents released by the Department of Business and Innovation said.

The documents also reveal the original launch date was supposed to be June 7 last year but was delayed after Mr Baillieu indicated he wasn't happy with the progress of the competition outline.

In a July letter, Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the complexity of the project meant several ministers had significant interests in the design competition and "this obviously has potential to delay the launch of the project".

Mr Mulder called for ministerial agreement on key issues before a special Cabinet committee considered governance and other issues.

The project overview said the wider station precinct from Swanston to Queensbridge streets and the Yarra to Flinders St "represents an opportunity to integrate the station in the precinct and connect the CBD to the river".

The estimated cost of the project was deleted from the documents, but the overview mentioned a comparison with Federation Square, whose final cost was almost $500 million.

Sources told the Herald Sun it could cost up to $50 million just to bring the existing building up to occupational health and safety standards.

A state government spokesman said ending the design competition was a priority.

[O_128]

St pancreas is stunning, anything to emulate that and it will be a success

[somebody]

St pancreas is stunning, anything to emulate that and it will be a success

Spelling checker?

[ozbob]

Flinders St 100 years ago ..

[O_128]

St pancreas is stunning, anything to emulate that and it will be a success

Spelling checker?

Gah, Pancras

[ozbob]

http://media.theage.com.au/news/national-news/facelift-for-flinders-street-station-3417572.html

[SteelPan]

That a building like Flinders St has been allowed, for so long, to fall into an increasing disrepair is a sad reflection of our values as a "modern society". 

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Station redesign attracts big field

Station redesign attracts big field

Date August 1, 2012
Miki Perkins

DRAWN by the lure of a $1 million prize pool, more than 100 international and local architects and firms are expected to have entered the Flinders Street Station design competition when it closes today.

Industry insiders say interest in the competition has been keen, despite the complexities of the site, the fact that the state government is yet to commit to funding the redevelopment and the need for entrants to find ways to partially pay for the final project.

The rules of the competition say entrants are not allowed to reveal if they have put in a bid, but it is believed between 100 and 120 individuals or firms are likely to pay the $500 entry fee and lodge a bid to be on the shortlist.

Details from the design brief reveal that at the Flinders Street side of the site, buildings up to 69 metres would be allowed under current planning guidelines, while at the river side of the site buildings of about 44 metres would be allowed (the heritage buildings are protected).

The brief also states that there is the ''potential'' to remove the old parcels dock at the station, which is likely to be controversial.

Professor Donald Bates, director of Lab Architecture Studio - the designers of Federation Square - and chair of architectural design at Melbourne University, said although the site was complex it was an attractive competition.

When it was first announced last year, Professor Bates received calls from many international colleagues who wanted more information about it.

''It's an incredibly prominent and important site, but it's also a really complicated site ... with Federation Square we didn't have the restraints of railway lines or passengers to deal with,'' Professor Bates said.

Lyons Architecture director Corbett Lyon said the real benefit of the competition was to put some ''interesting ideas on the table'' for one of Melbourne's most iconic buildings.

Earlier this month the state government said that the most interest in the competition had come locally, with the majority of visits to the competition website from Australia (about 4700), followed by the US (600) and Britain (400).

Judges include Victorian government architect Professor Geoffrey London, Melbourne City Council urban planner Professor Rob Adams and chef/TV presenter George Calombari

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/station-redesign-attracts-big-field-20120731-23d77.html

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Keep out: Flinders Street designers warned of no-go zone

Keep out: Flinders Street designers warned of no-go zone
December 3, 2012 - 12:50PM Miki Perkins

Such is the secrecy surrounding the plans to redesign Flinders Street Station that the finalists – including Hassell + Herzog & de Meuron and Zaha Hadid and local firms Ashton Raggatt McDougall and NH Architecture – were forbidden by the state government from attending an exhibition of the rejected designs.

Major Projects Victoria sent letters to the six architecture firms that made the shortlist, warning them that going to the November 22 event – even as observers – would mean they were attending an event that proposed to bring the competition into "disrepute".

The "Long-listers" event (those who didn't make the shortlist) was organised by the owners of Fitzroy-based architecture firm Edwards Moore, who said they wanted to capture the excitement generated by the design contest.

The evening allowed participants to see and discuss their unsuccessful proposals.

Finalists were invited to attend but architect and organiser Juliet Moore said they were not asked to exhibit their designs or speak about them.

According to competition rules, no participants are allowed to exhibit their work before a winner is picked.

Ms Moore said she strongly supported the aims of the design competition but the warning from Major Projects had been "overkill".

"It made out what we were doing was something outlawish," Ms Moore said.

"We wanted peer collaboration . . . too often these things are done behind closed doors. By the time the designs are revealed [a year later] the moment has passed."

All finalists who had planned to attend the long-listers event pulled out after getting the letter.

A spokesman for Major Projects Victoria said it was striving to run a competition that held to the highest levels of integrity and having finalists see unsuccessful designs might lead to future wrangling over intellectual property.

Despite being eliminated from the contest, many architects told Fairfax Media they enjoyed developing their proposals and wanted them to be publicly aired to trigger discussion about the site.

Designs seen by Fairfax Media offer a range of ambitious possibilities for the grand Edwardian railway station.

Take the proposal from Andrew Burns Architect – a flowing roof that referenced the original 1899 competition-winning scheme by Fawcett and Ashworth, which had a large, arched roof that was not built due to the cost.

Andrew Burns said the Sydney-based firm thought of the design as Melbourne's Opera House – an elegant form by the water, which would have contained a large commercial and entertainment precinct built above rail yards at the west of the site.

Fraser Paxton Architects envisaged a series of towers covered in scales at the western end that hark back to the site's former use as a fish market. In the middle of the site? "A swimming pool, somewhere for the public to go after work or on a lunch break, something that wasn't too serious," Mr Paxton said.

All the small firms Fairfax Media spoke to said they had spent upwards of 300 hours on their projects, while most of the large international firms employ teams whose sole remit is to work on design competitions.

Melbourne-based architects Edwards Moore said their low-tech response to the brief showed that by doing very little you could have a significant impact on surrounding areas.

"It was an unroofed, uncovered solution, with ramps and changes in elevation to create views and vistas from the platform," Juliet Moore said.

The collaborative design from Mihaly Slocombe, Steve Rose Architect and Foong + Sormann tried to create a new set of "terrains", a garden landscape that would open the site to the public with a series of streets and lanes linking down to the river.

The winner of the $1 million prize will be announced next year.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/keep-out-flinders-street-designers-warned-of-nogo-zone-20121203-2aq37.html

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> It's our station and we should have a real say in its future

[Gazza]

Ooooh Herzgog de Meuron is a finalist?

Hope they win!

I dont think somethinh from Zaha Hadid will fit.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Winner of Flinders Street design competition to be known within weeks

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> I'll meet you under the glass lattice roof


Have your say --> http://vote.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/

[ozbob]

Crikey The Urbanist --> Flinders St Station: is a grand vision the way to go?

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Flinders Street Station threatens to be a hot election item as heritage groups pick up steam

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Flinders Street Station redesign unlikely to go ahead: Victorian Government

The Victorian Government has said it is unlikely to go ahead with an idea to redevelop Flinders Street Station, despite at least $1 million already having been spent on the project.

The former Coalition government commissioned a design competition to reimagine the station and put together a business case in 2011.

A team of local and Swiss-based architects from HASSELL, Herzog & De Meuron was chosen as the winner from more than 100 entries in August last year.

The firm was behind the design of London's Tate Modern gallery and the National Stadium in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The final business case had not been delivered, but the Government said the project would cost about $2 billion, and only 20 per cent of that could be funded by commercial interests.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said a decision had yet to be made on the redevelopment but it appeared to be a lot of money for little gain.

"The previous government put millions of dollars into a design competition, we were quite critical of it when we were in Opposition and we said that design competition didn't accord with the community's priorities," he said.

"It would be an inordinate burden upon taxpayers."

More > http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-05/flinders-street-station-redesign-unlikely-government-says/6000098

[ozbob]

I had a good look around FSS a few weeks ago.

The concourse is sort of modernised a bit, but the platforms etc. are much the same as they were in the 1950s.

I don't particularly mind it, if I close my eyes I can see Taits rapidly detraining & entraining pax ... 

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Will $1m competition for Flinders St Station be wasted, opposition asks

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Flinders Street Station is the world's last Victorian masterpiece and should be restored

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/work-begins-to-clean-up-and-save-flinders-street-station

Premier of Victoria

Work Begins to Clean Up and Save Flinders Street Station

The Andrews Labor Government will invest $100 million to save the crumbling Flinders Street Station and make the station more functional for passengers.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, visited Flinders Street Station today and announced that funds will be provided to undertake urgent restoration works and upgrade station platforms, entrances, toilets and information displays.

The previous Liberal Government held an indulgent colouring-in competition while the station fell apart, producing space-age designs but no works, no funding and no improvement.

Without urgent heritage works, parts of the station will become unsafe, unusable and eventually, unsalvageable.

The Labor Government's $100 million investment will fund urgent works to repair the building's crumbling exterior and clock tower, and fix the leaky roof.

Works will also help commuters and tourists who use the station every day. Platforms and entrances will be upgraded to ease the passenger crush at peak times and allow people to get through the gates faster.

Toilets will be fixed, dingy and underutilised areas will be cleaned up and well-lit, and new information displays will make it easier for passengers to know what platform they need to be on, and when.

The project will commence this year. It will create jobs, boost the surrounding commercial precinct and help keep Melbourne a tourist destination.

In addition, a business case is being developed which will allow the Labor Government to consider options to fix the old ballroom and other derelict parts of the building. Our vision is to bring in new tenants and create an exciting commercial precinct.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"My first priority is making this dilapidated building the modern, passenger-friendly station that it should be."

"Flinders St Station used to be the pride of our state, but now it's an embarrassment. Disgusting toilets and dingy platforms don't belong in our grand old dame."

"I won't sit by and watch this icon crumble. We'll end the decay now – it's the first step to restoring this station to its former glory."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan

"The Liberals held an indulgent colouring-in competition while the station fell apart. We're actually getting on with the job."

"We'll clean up the station, ease the passenger crush and make it easier to know what platform you need to be on, and when."

[ozbob]

Twitter

Nine News Melbourne ‏@9NewsMelb 27 minutes ago

IN PICTURES: Inside Melbourne's crumbling Flinders Street Station: http://short.ninem.sn/EotAQ0Q  #9News

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Decaying Flinders Street Station to get $100 million facelift

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Flinders Street Station $100 million restoration to start next week

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/flinders-street-station-to-be-repainted-in-its-original-colours/

Flinders Street Station To Be Repainted In Its Original Colours

Minister for Public Transport 13 October 2016

Flinders Street Station will be restored to its original 1910 colours as part of the Andrews Labor Government's restoration and upgrade of the iconic Melbourne landmark.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced today that the current mustard colour will become a lighter, stone colour, while the maroon sections and green trimmings will be darkened, to reflect the colours the historic station was  painted when it first opened more than 100 years ago.

Flinders Street has been repainted five times since the early 1900s. Determining the original colours involved detailed forensic analysis by the University of Melbourne, to peel back the layers and find the original paint.

Repainting will happen in sections, and is expected to be complete by the end of next year.

As well as repairing and restoring Flinders Street Station's crumbling façade, the Labor Government's $100 million upgrade will fix the leaky roof, upgrade the entrances and make the busy station more functional for passengers.

Work is already well underway. The dingy toilets on the main concourse have been refurbished, better lighting has been installed on the platforms and repairs have begun on the administrative building.

The full upgrade is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.

For more information, visit majorprojects.vic.gov.au/flinders-street-station.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Flinders Street Station will be returned to its original colours, to reflect and celebrate the history of this iconic Melbourne landmark."

"It's part of our $100 million upgrade of the busy station, to return it to its former glory and make it safer, more accessible and more user friendly for the millions of passengers who use it every year."

[ozbob]

We're restoring Flinders Street Station to its former glory – and that means bringing back its original colours from the 1900s. #springst pic.twitter.com/vxDP4ma0zN

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 12, 2016

[#Metro]

Honestly, at the risk of sounding like a grouch or perhaps discovering that I have colour blindness, I cannot really tell the shades of colour in the before and after apart! 

[SurfRail]

It won't be as dramatic a change as South Brisbane, put it that way.

It'd be really nice if they could clean the copper domes.

[ozbob]

Hard hat, high-vis, waiting room music. This video ticks all the boxes.

But one thing is new: the colours of our Grand Old Dame. #springst pic.twitter.com/AIurVlJhFI

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 13, 2016

[#Metro]

Good video - I can see the difference between the colours better now!