It is always a treat to stumble across a building that retains its original design work. Especially when one is merely looking for the toilet. Nestled in between the modern skyscrapers and renovated buildings near Southern Cross Station in Melbourne’s CBD, Donkey Wheel House sits quietly in all its 1891 Venetian Gothic beauty. With its tall, church-like windows, inset balconies and decorative stonework, I have always loved looking at it while waiting for a tram in Bourke Street.
One of the street level shops is now a fabulous little French wine bar called V Wine Salon. I popped in for a drink after hopping off the train and had to go into the foyer to use the ladies. It was so delightful to step off the bustling, modern city street into the late 19th century foyer – nearly all the tilework, ornate carved timber and decorative ironwork have been retained, and the lift looks like it is original too. Even the toilets have pretty tiles on the walls. I wish I could eavesdrop on the conversations from the 1890s when it was brand new.
