about
history
One of Melbourne's most important business centres, Flinders Lane runs east-west from Spring to Spencer streets. For much of its history 'Flinders Lane' and 'Little Flinders Street' have both appeared on maps and business letterheads as alternative versions at least until the 1930s, but a council resolution in 1948 reaffirmed the official name as Flinders Lane. More generally known as simply 'the Lane', in its late 19th-century heyday it was renowned as the centre of Melbourne's wholesale (and especially soft-goods) trade.
The lane, as laid down in Hoddle's 1837 grid, roughly followed the course of one of the settlement's first rough tracks. Through the 1840s it was notorious as an often muddy, rutted and scarcely passable passage. By the 1860s, as its swamps were filled in, and as its proximity to the wharf encouraged the construction of warehouses and showrooms, the street gained a reputation as a busy and important thoroughfare, the chosen location of mercantile houses, importers, brewers, timber yards and wholesalers. As one of the city's narrowest streets, Flinders Lane and its network of side lanes and alleys bustled with traffic and were commonly congested with travellers' buggies backed into shops, or by the lifting or lowering of boxes, sacks and other heavy goods.
Most of its bluestone warehouses have now been demolished. Today, Bluestone Restaurant and Lounge Bar exists in one of these original warehouses and with its exposed walls and original wooden beams, pays homage to the history of Melbourne.
Home of the famous Fish Exchange Restaurant of the 80s, the building features original, exposed bluestone walls from its earlier woodshed days, grand, sparkling gilt mirrors and expansive ceilings. Plush fabrics, ambient colours, soft curtaining and lusciously comfortable, well-spaced furniture are carefully designed for your ultimate pleasure.
The lane, as laid down in Hoddle's 1837 grid, roughly followed the course of one of the settlement's first rough tracks. Through the 1840s it was notorious as an often muddy, rutted and scarcely passable passage. By the 1860s, as its swamps were filled in, and as its proximity to the wharf encouraged the construction of warehouses and showrooms, the street gained a reputation as a busy and important thoroughfare, the chosen location of mercantile houses, importers, brewers, timber yards and wholesalers. As one of the city's narrowest streets, Flinders Lane and its network of side lanes and alleys bustled with traffic and were commonly congested with travellers' buggies backed into shops, or by the lifting or lowering of boxes, sacks and other heavy goods.
Most of its bluestone warehouses have now been demolished. Today, Bluestone Restaurant and Lounge Bar exists in one of these original warehouses and with its exposed walls and original wooden beams, pays homage to the history of Melbourne.
Home of the famous Fish Exchange Restaurant of the 80s, the building features original, exposed bluestone walls from its earlier woodshed days, grand, sparkling gilt mirrors and expansive ceilings. Plush fabrics, ambient colours, soft curtaining and lusciously comfortable, well-spaced furniture are carefully designed for your ultimate pleasure.
