Sixty years ago almost 5000 athletes lived here. Welcome to Melbourne’s Olympic Village. This wasn’t just any village. It was a temporary city. Built in Heidelberg West it transformed open country into a modern suburb in just 20 months.
Imagine the scene. Thousands of athletes from 57 nations. They lived in 841 individual dwellings. Not the barrack-like structures of previous Olympics. These were homes. Designed for future use as housing. The village boasted shops restaurants and a recreation hall. Large temporary buildings housed dining rooms saunas and even a bank.
Malcolm Fraser described the Olympic Village as modern. He said it offered the best living conditions athletes had ever seen. A range of dwellings existed. From single-story corner units to blocks of flats and even concrete row houses. Some of these buildings still stand today.
Harold E Bartlett a key architect helped create this incredible space. He chaired the Housing Commission’s Architects Panel. The Olympic Village was his masterpiece. His designs are a testament to the innovative spirit of the 1950s. The official HCV booklet showcases the range of housing types.
Even the uniforms were special. Fletcher Jones a Victorian manufacturer created the Australian Olympic uniforms. They proudly proclaimed their honor in supplying a country factory’s work. A skirt from that uniform is even held at the University of Melbourne Archives.
After the games many of the houses became public housing. The Olympic Village evolved. It now includes a sports center a primary school and a shopping strip. It continues to thrive as a vibrant community. A reminder of the 1956 Olympic Games. A legacy for generations. The Olympic spirit lives on.