“Three screens? In one cinema?”. 140 Bourke, a building that once housed Melbourne’s Hoyts Cinema Centre, might seem unassuming now. But back in 1969, it was a revolution in entertainment. Imagine the excitement! This was Australia’s first purpose-built multiplex cinema, a marvel of modern design. Designed by Sydney architect Peter Muller, 140 Bourke was a bold statement, with its Brutalist architecture standing out on Bourke Street. This style, characterized by raw materials like concrete and brick, reflected a shift towards functionality over ornamentation. Muller drew inspiration from his travels in Japan, incorporating elements of traditional Asian architecture, as seen in the building’s tiered, almost pagoda-like form. Sadly, the plush interiors, including a grand jarrah timber chandelier, are gone. But the building, now on the Victorian Heritage Register, stands as a testament to a time when going to the movies was an event.
Kororoit Creek
Is this where the river meets the sea? This is Kororoit Creek. It flows right here through Melbourne’s western suburbs