Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
The Gill
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026
1. The Gill Marker
Built in 1888 as a factory and offices for Moss White & Co. Tobacco Importers
Architect Nahum Barnet
Established in 1929 as the Salvation Army Gill Memorial Home for Men
Designed by Staff-Captain Percival Dale
Redeveloped in 2000 as The Gill Apartments
Nation Fender Katsaldis Architects
Classified
Erected by National Trust of Australia - Victoria.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 37° 48.62′ S, 144° 57.439′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of A'Beckett Street and Wills Street, on the left on A'Beckett Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 219 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Also see . . . Three centuries and three lives. CBD News
When residents moved into The Gill on A’Beckett Street in the early 2000s, they knew the heritage-listed building had an interesting history.(Submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
Christoph Hewett said when he bought his apartment, he was told it was built in 1929 by the Salvation Army. The Gill is well known for its long service as a hostel for men.
But soon after moving in he learned its history stretched back to the previous century.
“I did a bit of research and everything said that the building was built in 1889,” he said.
“Atthat point I thought, now that I own in this building I need to capture as much of that story as I can and try and find out more about it – what happened in those lost years?”Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 20262. The Gill Marker on A'Beckett Street
The process of uncovering that history has helped form a tight-knitted community in the building. In October the residents threw a 130th birthday party for the building they initially believed to be only 90 years old.
“Gradually over the eight years I’ve lived here I would find out new things like who the architect was, or why the Salvation Army bought the building in 1929, and just kind of collected things over eight years,” he said.
“Eventually, last year, I found an article about the building’s opening dated October 27, 1889 and realised it meant it was having its 130th birthday in 2019.”
“I told the other owners and we all thought we should do something, so that’s when I started putting all the little bits together into this great story.”
They took the story to the National Trust of Australia, which was impressed enough to award the building a plaque.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
