Architectural History

The Former Royal Mint was designed by John James Clark, whose distinguished career in the office of the Colonial Architect, later the Public Works Department, began in 1852 when he was just 14 years old. “JJ” Clark would go on to become one of the most prolific architects in Australia, designing notable Melbourne buildings including the Old Treasury Building, Supreme Court, Government House, Old Customs House and City Baths.

At the time of its opening in 1872, the Royal Mint site featured a U-shaped factory complex which met with the front administration building to form a quadrangle with a central courtyard. These factory buildings were demolished after the Mint ceased operations in 1968, and now, what remains of the original site are its north and south guardhouses, perimeter wall, and the administration building – which houses the Hellenic Museum!

The administration building is styled after Raphael's Palazzo Vidoni Caffarelli in Rome. Its architectural style is Renaissance Revival, a broad group of 19th century styles which were neither Greek nor Gothic Revival, but instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicising Italian modes. Today the building is one of few surviving examples of Renaissance Revival in Australia.

In the wake of budget constraints, the original design submitted by Clark was considered too large, and he was asked to design a more modest and less ornamented administration building. The result is the rendered brick structure you see today. Unlike the Palladian norm, the piano nobile is on the ground floor. The first floor features paired ionic columns, while an attic storey features oval windows. The perimeter wall is an imposing brick construction with large wrought iron gates and iron lamps. The original vault, which stored Australia's gold bullion until 1931, still remains intact on the ground floor of the building – inside the Gods, Myths & Mortals exhibition!