What historic laneway in Sydney was called 'a touch of Paris'?

Rowe Street in Sydney's CBD was once known as 'a touch of Paris' for its bohemian atmosphere and shops.

Which architect's work led to the demolition of historic buildings in Sydney?

Harry Seidler's modernist developments, such as the MLC Centre, led to the demolition of many historic buildings in Sydney.

What happened to Melbourne's Collins Street in the 1960s and 70s?

Much of Collins Street's historic architecture was lost during reconstruction booms, despite preservation efforts.

Home / Lifestyle / Sydney & Melbourne: Lost Grandeur to Modernity

Sydney & Melbourne: Lost Grandeur to Modernity

4 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Rowe Street, Sydney, once a 'touch of Paris,' was demolished for a tower.
Melbourne's Collins Street lost half its grand buildings by 1975.
Modern towers replaced ornate buildings, leaving some city blocks soulless.

Sydney & Melbourne: Lost Grandeur to Modernity

Sydney's Rowe Street, a laneway once celebrated as 'a touch of Paris' in the mid-20th century, has been significantly altered. Its vibrant mix of cafes, galleries, and shops, which once led to the Hotel Australia and the original Theatre Royal, was largely lost in 1973. The construction of the MLC Centre tower led to the demolition of these landmarks, despite public opposition and the loss of many other historic buildings in Sydney's CBD to modernist developments.

Melbourne also experienced a similar transformation, with numerous ornate buildings succumbing to the bulldozer. The Federal Coffee Palace, once described as one of the world's most opulent hotels, was demolished. Collins Street, once a grand Victorian shopping strip, was irrevocably scarred by development booms in the 1950s through the 1970s, leading to the loss of nearly half its historic structures on the eastern end by 1975.

Despite these losses, both cities now boast modern architectural achievements like Sydney's Opera House and Melbourne's Eureka Tower. However, the unchecked expansion of large glass, steel, and concrete structures has created monotonous urban landscapes at pedestrian level, overshadowing the unique character that historic buildings once provided.