Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Collins Street (C. 1903)
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, August 22, 2025
1. Collins Street (C. 1903) Marker
The north east corner of Collins and Elizabeth Streets circa 1903 looking east up Collins Street to the Melbourne Town Hall Clock Tower and to the north along Elizabeth Street to the GPO Clock Tower.
The present building on the corner, designed by architect Nahum Barnet for B. H. Altson tobacconist, had just been completed, and in 1914 was extended to the east along Collins Street.
The previous building to occupy the site was Melbourne's first two storey brick building erected circa 1839 and occupied by Michael Cashmore, a draper. The corner was known as "Cashmore's Corner Number 1 Melbourne" due to its address 1 Collins Street East.
In 1997 a direct descendant of Cashmore purchased the building, restored the facade, and converted the six upper levels to residential apartments. The building today is named "Cashmore On Collins."
Sponsored by: Allard & Shelton
City Real Estate Agents
since 1884
Erected by Allard & Shelton City Real Estate Agents.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 37° 48.963′ S,
this page online
Regionally, it is in Oceania, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Banking Chamber Commercial Bank of Australia (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); You Should Have Seen It (about 150 meters away); Melbourne Town Hall (about 240 meters away); Town Hall Foundation Stone (about 240 meters away); Former Bank of Australasia (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Former National Mutual Life Association Building (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Athenaeum Building (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Melbourne Athenaeum (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, August 23, 2025
2. Altsons Corner Today
Also see . . . Altson's Corner.
Altson's Corner is a heritage listed Edwardian building located on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Collins St in CBD of Melbourne, Australia, built for tobacconist Richard Altson in 1904, and extended in 1914.(Submitted on March 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
There is a plaque on the building attesting that the first brick building in Melbourne was erected here in 1839. It was owned by Alexander Brunton, and from 1840 housed the haberdashery and home of Michael Cashmore, one of the earliest Jewish settlers in Melbourne, and it was known as both Cashmore's corner and Brunton's corner. Until 1889 when the street numbers were changed, it had the enviable address of 1 Collins Street East.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 26 times since then. Last updated on March 24, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
