History of 500 Flinders

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History of 500 Flinders *

500 Flinders Street has had a long and at times complicated history. Nestled on the land first declared ‘This will be the place for a village’ by John Batman in 1835. 500 sits on one of the primary lands sold by the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people to the first settlers, marked as historically significant and traditional land. This marked the creation of the Hoddle Grid; the subdivided land was sold primarily to merchants, speculators or tradesmen.

The block 500 sits on began as early timber/brick shops and houses, then Victorian commercial buildings, followed by interwar warehouses, and was finally demolished in the mid-20th century, before being replaced with the current 1970s apartment-style building, which was used as a hotel for some years.

500 Flinders Street as we know it, was built in 1970-75. It began as a humble workers' lodge for those who worked the docks along the Yarra. In the late 70s, 500 was the Great Britain hotel. Since the turn of the century, 500 has been a tenant and owner-occupied residential building. Housing up to 120-200 tenants at any given time.

While we are ushering in a new and exciting future for our dear 500, the building has faced some hard and often overlooked periods, linked to the great financial crashes the world has faced, which left 500 in instability. Rather than hide the harsher times 500 has faced, her newer and improved management strives to keep 500 above standard, above board and the brilliant historical landmark she is to our great city.

Welcome to 500 Flinders, Melbourne’s Riverside Village.

Black and white photo of construction site with a large opening in a building, showing multiple workers and a bus in the background, and buildings with billboards and chimneys in the distance.
Black and white photo of a city street with a theater marquee for the British Hotel and various storefronts, signs for Solomon Bros, tattoo parlor, and other businesses, pedestrians walking on the sidewalk, parked cars in front, and tall buildings in
Black and white photo of the sidewalk outside the Great Britain Hotel, with a marquee sign and a group of men standing near vintage cars parked along the street. The architecture features large windows and ornate building styles.
A black and white photo of a street under construction with old buildings in the background. Construction materials and a fallen turtle are on the dirt ground, with a rope fence in the foreground. Power lines and signs, including "OPENFOLDS" and "Bus
Black and white photo of a city street with historic buildings and modern high-rise in the background. The street level has various storefronts, including a hotel called the 'Britain Hotel' and signs for tattoo parlors, car parking, and other busines
Black and white photo of an under-construction bridge on a city street, with old buildings and billboards in the background; construction debris and a worker are visible in the foreground.
Black and white photo of an urban construction site seen from underneath a bridge or overpass. The foreground shows dirt and construction materials on the ground. In the background, there are buildings, some with signage, and a few people working. Pa
Black-and-white photo of a cityscape with train tracks and a parking lot in the foreground, multiple buildings, and a waterway in the distance.
Black and white photo of a city street scene. An elevated highway runs above the street, with cars parked underneath. A pedestrian is walking on the sidewalk near a bus stop, and a street sign points to Flinders Street East and King Street.
Cityscape with a river, a boat, train, and buildings including a Coca-Cola billboard.
Indoor pool area with multi-level balconies, white pillars, and metal railings.
Indoor hotel courtyard with a small pool, multiple floors with balconies, red fire escape stairs, brick walls, and glass-paneled barriers.
Tall brick building with multiple windows, trees, and a bus stop in the foreground, located in an urban area with modern skyscrapers in the background.
A brick apartment building with corner entrance and a maroon awning, pedestrians walking on sidewalk, leafless tree, and a mural with the word 'Melbourne' on a closed storefront.