When the Perth General Post Office was completed in 1923 it was described as 'the most sumptuous and impressive Federal building in Australia'. I remember thinking it was rather splendid when we first arrived in Perth and I walked through the doors below. I'm happy to say the herringbone pattern parquet flooring made up of 600,000 jarrah blocks and other jarrah features are still there, the post office is not, making way this year for Swedish fashion retailer H&M..
When the Melbourne General Post Office was restored after a fire severely damaged the interior in 2001 it was restored and remodeled as a shopping facility, it's main tenant H&M, it was described as 'a grand example of adaptive reuse'. On the one hand I feel a wee bit sad that such a wonderful heritage listed building is being used for this purpose, but on the other at least it is being used. Below another shot of the chandelier repeatedly reflecting as it disappears into the distance. What a busy Saturday it was, am very much looking forward to a lazy Sunday, how about you? Take care and stay safe...
It is a beautiful building! That retailer does have a store here as well, though not in such a grand setting.
ReplyDeleteReally unique building.
ReplyDeleteLove those floors.
ReplyDeleteWe have our grandkids saying over this weekend, so it is a busy weekend for us.
Those darn Swedes do know how to put together a store! Sorry to say I've never heard of H&M, though. Nice reuse. Love that floor!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building, Grace ! Better reuse than not use, I think... :)
ReplyDelete...classy!
ReplyDeleteThat is clearly the most attractive H & M store I've ever seen. The one's I've been to look pretty "shopping-mall" generic. This one has class!
ReplyDeleteThe set up of the store looks exactly the same as the ones here although the building is a lot nicer!
ReplyDeleteThose floors are fantastic. What does the P.O look like now? Have a good day Diane
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous building - at least it is being reused and not allowed to fall into decay'
ReplyDeleteIt's a very handsome building and good to see it is being used.
ReplyDeleteI love the chandelier.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see older buildings torn down instead of being used. I'm glad it is currently serving a purpose.
A wonderful old building that has tastefuly been re-used blending old and new.
ReplyDeleteThat is an incredible and beautiful building. That must have been a huge post office, ours here is an apartment size two roomer. It is great that it is going to be reused. Never heard of H&M. Enjoy your Sunday!
ReplyDeleteGood to know this classic building is getting a second life as a high end retailer.
ReplyDeleteBTW, do not worry about flying. It is by far the safest way to travel. Trust the pilots.
Good building, shame about the use they make of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a building, and I love the floor.
ReplyDeleteAt least it is being used ...
All the best Jan
A "wow" building...
ReplyDeleteAwesome
ReplyDeleteI agree Grace, at least it's being lived in instead of falling into disrepair. I knew I'd seen the chandelier before...
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand building! Here in the Netherlands we don't have any post office left, all gone since several years.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about why it is that Post Offices were built on such a grand scale. I suppose it was something to do with pride - an efficient service with a single and affordable price available to all . . and that we could all go in and be somewhere special . . . And now, here in England Post Offices are being moved into the backs of other shops . . and the old buildings turned into cafes.
ReplyDeleteYes the same happened in Amsterdam, they had a beautiful head postoffice building in the centre. It is still there but is now a shopping mall. I have my doubts by these developpements. All those stupid clothes in such an environment....
ReplyDeleteIf we have H&M here it's only in the large cities on the coasts. It's good that many of these old commercial buildings are re-purposed. Last year I had occasion to visit a vast old bank building in Amsterdam that's now the Apple store.
ReplyDeleteH&M was really good - some 20 years ago, Grace. Great value for a low price.
ReplyDeleteThese days way too expensive here, I never walked in 10 years+.
We have 2-3 outlets I guess.
I didn´t give it a go in Perth, either.
Still good this place is in use! Maybe I walk in there next time :-)
wow, what a gorgeous h&m! ours is just blah, in the mall lol
ReplyDeletePerth has wonderful architecture. Ours doesn't begin to compare to yours!
ReplyDeleteThe H&M places I have visited around Stockholm doesn't have this kind of architecture that's for sure.
ReplyDelete