I was so sad to learn of the wanton - and possibly indelible - vandalism of one of Melbourne's most cherished landmarks recently. There are reports of involvement from up to 20 individuals, who targeted areas that cannot easily be restored - if at all. And all just a short time after a $20M restoration.
The Royal Exhibition Building has played a starring role in a few property marketing campaigns I've worked on over the years; not just because of its stunning grandeur and not just because it's a World-Heritage listed building, but because the structure represents over 100 years of placemaking; past, present and future.
This home to one of the planet's largest garden and flower shows is one of the last remaining major 19th-century exhibition buildings in the world. It was completed in 1880 and hosted the sitting of the first Australian Parliament in 1901. The dome was modeled on the Florence Cathedral.
There's little doubt that the rest of the world is equally appalled by the blatant and callous disregard for our city's history: when I googled 'Royal Exhibition Building' earlier today, the second result featured the word, 'vandalism'. May she be restored to her former glory again very soon.