Nicholas Building

Heritage building · Melbourne

Nicholas Building

Heritage building · Melbourne

2

37 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Photos

Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null
Nicholas Building by null

Highlights

Nestled at Swanston and Flinders, the 1920s Nicholas Building is a treasure trove of quirky boutiques, art studios, and creative magic just waiting to be explored.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

37 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia Get directions

nicholasbuilding.org.au
@nicholas_building

Information

Static Map

37 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia Get directions

nicholasbuilding.org.au
@nicholas_building

Features

wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jul 3, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@onthegrid

"Home to a combination of retail boutiques, galleries, artists and a range of creative studios the Nicholas Building built in the 1920s is full of charm and character. Once the grandest building in the city, it features a leadlight thoroughfare ‘Cathedral Arcade’ and has housed generations of creatives including the original building’s Architect’s office until the 50s. It’s most enjoyable to explore its floors and find your own gold - our personal picks though are dot.COMME on level 3, Blindside Gallery on level 7 and local designers Kuwaii downstairs in the arcade." - Grosz Co Lab

On the Grid : Nicholas Building
View Postcard for Nicholas Building
@onthegrid

"Nicholas Building, Melbourne Cbd Southbank by Grosz Co Lab. Home to a combination of retail boutiques, galleries, artists and a range of creative studios the Nicholas Building built in the 1920s is full of charm and character. Once the grandest building in the city, it features a leadlight thoroughfare ‘Cathedral Arcade’ and has housed generations of creatives including the original building’s Architect’s office until the 50s. It’s most enjoyable to explore its floors and find your own gold - our personal picks though are dot.COMME on level 3, Blindside Gallery on level 7 and local designers Kuwaii downstairs in the arcade."

Melbourne
View Postcard for Nicholas Building

Fran Hutcheson

Google
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!

Michael Whitmore

Google
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!

Burak Uslu

Google
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.

Brigida Veritas

Google
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.

Evita Hadiz

Google
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.

Thomas Ricks

Google
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.

れん(Ren)

Google
I was visiting Melbourne for work and accidentaly stumbled upon this wonderful old building that I didnt know it was an iconic one at that time. What drawn me here was the Vintage Sole signage. Sadly it was Sunday so everything was closed. I took a ride on the elevator and I felt like in a movie.. a bit eerie yet amazed with the vintage retro feel. Every detail of this building amazed me. Would love to go back and explore during weekdays.

john howell

Google
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.

Mel P.

Yelp
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!

Mark H.

Yelp
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.