Nicholas Building

Is it normal to fall in love with a building? 😂 What an amazing space. Jump in the lift at ground level, go up to level 7, then walk around each level, then head down the stairs. It’s simply stunning! Obvs no expense spared!

Beautiful arcade on ground level featuring an intricate and arched leadlight ceiling with interesting clothes boutiques. This building is historic and contains info boards explaining its significance.

What an interesting old building in Melbourne. You wouldn’t think there’s anything inside but in fact, there are heaps inside. Many independent small shops selling different things from clothes, to food, to yoga classes. The old style renovated lifts are interesting to look at. The whole building is worth a visit. You probably can spend a good hour just to look around the old structure like the gates, the doors and the hallways.

Anybody else look this place up because of Courtney Barnett’s “Elevator Operator” song? Great track. Anyway, after years of wondering what the building is all about I went to check it out. What I learned: 1. You cannot go up to the roof - maintenance access only and there’s loads of cameras 2. You cannot imagine you’re playing Sim City 3. There is no guarantee that a lady will walk into the elevator (aka lift) and wait by your side Having said that, I am 36 at time of writing, I do not worry I’m going bald (touch wood) and my name is not Oliver Paul. In the end though I did have a nice time. I saw lots of interesting little studios, and an art gallery run by a very nice man called Ian, where I learned all about the artist Joseph Beuys. It’s a beautiful building which could do with a little more love, and I’m glad it’s still there for artists to make use of. I hope to get a tattoo one day from one of the three or four studios in the building.

Such a cool piece of history, a gift of a Heritage building filled with beautiful treasures ranging from cool zines, stunning handmade jewellery & tailored clothing, art galleries & even a magic store - a real jewel 💎 in our wonderful city!

This is such an amazing art place. We enjoyed checking out every floor and talking to artists from studios that were available. I wish they had more open houses. I support Nicholas Building and what it stands for. The art movie and the bar added to the enjoyment.

Nice spot for coffee and high tea. Enjoy and relaxing with friends. Lots of cafes serving tasty coffees n teas with cakes to go with. Enjoy browsing at the small shops: jewelry, gifts store.

Full of quirky and lovely businesses, the amount of art of the building and being made in the building is fantastic. The old charm of the building is something to be explored.

It's location smack-bang on Swanston and Flinders Lane means you have probably walked past this building a million times. Maybe even loitered through the foyer. Jump aboard the lift (attended by a lovely chap with cute family pics adoring his 'office') to explore the other levels and you will uncover all kinds of creative and kooky stores and galleries. I took my Mum here to hunt down a fabric store and she was in seventh heaven. She ended up raiding more than one unique fabric store and walking out shaking her head at the unexpected damage to her credit card. The building is a tad creepy, with many vacant or blocked off rooms that give you the distinct feeling that you're trespassing. All part of the charm really!

The Nicholas Building on the corner of Swanston Walk and Flinders Lane is a living cultural center. I'm often going there to see exhibitions at Pigment Gallery, Blindside or Stephen McLaughlan Gallery. Many artists, fashion designers and jewelers have their studios and exhibition spaces in the rooms of the Nicholas Building. The late, eccentric and artist Vali Meyers once had her studio on the 8th floor of the building. It is also the home of Collected Works bookstore, the best bookshop for quality literature in Melbourne and many other interesting shops. It is a wonderful old building, even in it's partially decaying state that is well worth a visit itself. Entering Cathedral Arcade with its set of boutique shops and the wonderful lead light ceiling. I have the choice of taking the stairs or one of two old lifts. One of the lifts has a lift attendant and the lift attendant has decorated the small lift with postcards and pictures. The other lift is also manually operated and you have to open and close the doors yourself. Walking down the stairs I notice the defunct mail chute in the stairwell and the antique elevators speak of another era of city office life. Many of the tiles are falling off, some of the stair rail has gone in places, but the building still has great character.