85 Spring Street

Spring Street is one of the most important thoroughfares in Melbourne's Central Business District and forms the eastern boundary of the historic Hoddle Grid of 1837. It runs from Flinders Street in the south to the Carlton Gardens in the north. As the traditional seat of the Victorian government, the street is closely tied to the state administration, which is also reflected in the colloquial use of the name as a metonym for the state's bureaucracy. There are different explanations for the origin of the name, with its geographic setting on a rise or its proximity to water considered the most likely cause.

Architecturally, the street is defined by a mix of Victorian heritage and modern design. The most significant historic buildings in the Renaissance style include Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building, the Windsor Hotel, and the Princess Theatre. These landmarks are often listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Alongside them you'll find modern high-rises such as Shell House, a granite tower with a distinctive shell-shaped floor plan, as well as 1 Collins Street, which integrates historic elements into a contemporary structure. 271 Spring Street also preserves two heritage-listed buildings from the early 20th century within a modern office complex.

Visitors can experience the street as a green oasis in an urban setting. It borders the Treasury Gardens, which are home to historic monuments such as the Burke and Wills Monument and the Sir Thomas Blamey statue. To the north, the Tianjin Garden, a classically designed Chinese garden, invites you to linger. Public transportation access is excellent, as the underground Parliament Station of the City Loop lies beneath the street and several tram lines run along the route.