Coops Shot Tower, Melbourne Central
S 37° 48.620 E 144° 57.768
55H E 320670 N 5813273
Completed in 1890 by James Coop, the Coops Shot Tower in Melbourne's CBD is now part of the Melbourne Central shopping complex which was renovated and re-opened in 2005.
Waymark Code: WM6AP
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 01/20/2006
Views: 430
Measuring 50 metres high, this shot tower was the highest building in the Melbourne CBD in its hey-day.
Producing six tons of lead shot each week up until its closure in 1961, it was classified by the National Trust in 1973 and saved from certain demolition.
In 1991, the shot tower was incorporated into the Melbourne Central complex. It formed the principal feature under an 84m high glass dome and was flanked by hundreds of stores, including Daimaru - the first Japanese department store in Australia.
Following the dot-com crash in 2000 and the ensuing fallout, Daimaru closed its doors and Melbourne Central lost its key tenant.
From the beginning, the Melbourne Central complex was criticised for its lack of natural light, minimal entrance-ways, and clinical architecture. Daimaru's departure presented an opportunity to significantly redesign and reconstruct the entire building into Melbourne's latest, premier shopping and entertainment mecca.
Since Melbourne Central's official reopening in 2005, the renovations have certainly paid off. There is a light, airy and modern vibe to the place. The area previously occupied by Daimaru now features a brand new cinema and entertainment complex, leading fashion and specialty stores, and plenty more.
Incidentally, it is also a mere 300 metres from the killerbunnies' warren :)