“A tobacconist’s dream” someone once whispered. That’s what Altson’s Corner represents. Right here on the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Streets stands a building steeped in history. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to Melbourne’s growth and its vibrant Jewish community.
Altson’s Corner wasn’t always the elegant Edwardian structure we see today. It began life much earlier. In 1839 the first brick building in Melbourne was erected on this very spot. Alexander Brunton owned it. From 1840 it housed the haberdashery and home of Michael Cashmore one of Melbourne’s earliest Jewish settlers. It was known as both Cashmore’s Corner and Brunton’s Corner. Until 1889 it even boasted the prestigious address 1 Collins Street East.
Tobacconist Henry Altson a prominent member of Melbourne’s Jewish community took over the shop around 1887. The location naturally became known as Altson’s Corner. He envisioned a grander space. In 1903 he commissioned architect Nahum Barnet another member of the Jewish community to design a magnificent new building. The construction was remarkably swift. Clements Langford Pty Ltd completed the brick structure in just one month in 1903.
The building was officially renamed Brunton Chambers. The entrance to the upper floors was at 82 Elizabeth Street. Altson later expanded the building in 1914. He acquired the neighboring property on Collins Street and extended it in matching style. The Lyceum Club Melbourne’s first women-only club found its home here in 1912.
Henry Altson passed away in 1945. The business closed in 1956. A redevelopment was planned. Instead the building underwent significant alterations in the 1950s. The original corner oriel and cupola the top cornice and balconettes were removed. The brickwork was painted. In the 1970s the upper floors were sealed off. Only the basement ground and mezzanine floors remained in use.
In a remarkable turn of events a descendant of Michael Cashmore Trevor Cohen purchased the building in 1999. He undertook a meticulous restoration. Architects Kenneth Edelstein and Nigel Lewis worked together to revive the building’s original glory. The oriel bay windows cupola cornice balconettes and Art Nouveau decoration were painstakingly recreated.
Today Altson’s Corner stands as a stunning example of Melbourne’s architectural heritage. Its history is woven into the fabric of the city. It’s a beautiful blend of the past and the present. A testament to the enduring spirit of Melbourne. A reminder of its rich past and its thriving present. It tells the story of one family’s legacy. It tells the story of community perseverance. This magnificent building is truly a treasure to behold. It’s so much more than just a corner. It’s Altson’s Corner a symbol of Melbourne.