Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Former Police Headquarters

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026

1. Former Police Headquarters Marker

Inscription. This building was designed by Percy Everett, Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, and built in 1940/43. It housed the Police Headquarters until 1977 and is Melbourne's outstanding example of the Art Deco skyscraper. The adjoining building, designed in the 1880s by the Public Works Department, had been the previous Police Headquarters.

Erected by City of Melbourne and State Bank Victoria.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 37° 48.505′ S, 144° 57.976′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Russell Street 0.1 kilometers north of La Trobe Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 336 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

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itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Constable Angela Rose Taylor (here, next to this marker); City Court (within shouting distance of this marker); Site History - Old Melbourne Gaol (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaol Arched Entrance (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaol Bluestone (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Bluestone Gaol Wall (about 90 meters away); The Melbourne Gaol Men's Hospital (about 90 meters away); Old Melbourne Gaol Trust Marker (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . .
1. Former Police Headquarters. Victorian Heritage Database

The former Police Headquarters Complex was built in stages between 1940 and 1943 to the design of Public Works Department architect Percy Everett. The construction is reinforced concrete with face brick curtain walls on a plinth of Mt Difficult sandstone. Mainly cream bricks were used with salt-glazed manganese brown bricks in spandrel panels below the windows. The windows are metal framed and their
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026

2. Victoria Police Building and Former Police Headquarters Marker to right of Door
narrowness emphasises the vertical accent of the complex. The main facade is symmetrical, with central vehicle and side pedestrian entrances. The headquarters building comprises a four storey podium building. This was originally of three storeys but the extra storey was added in 1959. The thirteen storey tower is crowned by a metal radio mast. The ground floor entrances are surmounted by deep stone vertical fins. The multi-storey building at the rear of the main tower was added in 1970 and does not form part of the registration.

(Submitted on June 28, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

2. Homicide Opening Titles. You Tube - This is a short clip of the opening titles of the Australian Police Drama - Homicide, which ran in Australia from 1964 to 1977. The Russell Street Headquarters are well highlighted in the first part of the clip (Submitted on June 28, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.