Hidden amongst Melbourne’s bustling streets lies Cremorne a captivating inner-city suburb. Its story unfolds not just in grand buildings but in quiet corners. Cremorne’s name echoes from the Cremorne Gardens a 19th-century amusement park. James Ellis a Londoner established these gardens in 1853. He’d previously managed similar gardens on the Thames. The Melbourne Cremorne Gardens were a vibrant hub. People arrived by train or boat to enjoy wild animals dancers and other entertainment.
However the gardens’ success was short-lived. They closed in 1863. The land then became an asylum and later housing. Cremorne’s early history was largely residential. The Yarra River’s banks though hosted noxious industries. Tanneries and soap makers thrived alongside the Richmond Power Station. The 20th century saw Cremorne’s industrial transformation. Factories like Bryant and May and Rosella became prominent landmarks. These factories employed many people often migrants. Light industry also boomed with small businesses in the rag trade mechanics printing and engineering.
Cremorne’s residential areas unfortunately fell into disrepair becoming slums. Well-known Melbourne criminal Dennis Allen owned several houses there. These were used for illegal activities. One was demolished in 1989 during a police investigation into the Walsh Street police shootings. The Australian Taxation Office had previously seized it. Other shady businesses thrived in Cremorne Street in the 1970s including a brothel. There were also businesses selling fraudulent paintings and clothing sweatshops.
The 1990s brought significant change. Inner-city living became desirable again. Large industries found inner-city operations uneconomical. The Richmond Power Station and the Bryant and May and Rosella factories were converted into office spaces. Companies like Just Jeans Country Road Mattel and John Wiley & Sons set up offices here. Cremorne’s Victorian terraces and cottages were renovated. The area saw a huge increase in value.
Today Cremorne is a vibrant mix of old and new. It has period and modern housing offices art galleries bars and a smaller light industrial sector. Cremorne’s transformation from a mix of industry and slums to a desirable residential area is quite remarkable. Its past continues to influence its present making it a unique part of Melbourne’s rich history. The Nylex Clock a symbol of the area briefly became a symbol of community activism when it was mysteriously switched on in 2015 after Nylex went into receivership. Cremorne’s story is a reminder of Melbourne’s evolution. It’s a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people and places.