CRA Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CRA Building |
|
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | office |
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°48′52.17″S 144°58′14.25″E / 37.8144917°S 144.9706250°E |
| Construction started | 1959 |
| Completed | 1962 |
| Demolished | 1988 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 99 m (325 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 26 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Bernard Evans and Partners |
The CRA Building, also called CRA House, was a famous office building in Melbourne, Australia. It was located at 89-101 Collins Street. Designed by Bernard Evans and Partners, it was a very modern building for its time.
Melbourne's Tallest Building
When it was finished in 1962, the CRA Building was the tallest building in Melbourne. It stood tall above the city until 1969. That's when a new building called AMP Square became even taller.
A Unique Design
The CRA Building was built in a style called the International style. This meant it had a very clean, simple look with lots of glass. It was one of the first truly tall office buildings in the central part of Melbourne, known as the Hoddle Grid. With 26 floors, it was much taller than other new buildings around it.
It was also the first very tall building on top of the hill at the eastern end of Collins Street. This made it easy to spot from far away. The building had a special design with vertical lines that made it look even taller. It also had a plaza, or open space, in front of it.
Why Was It Demolished?
Even though it was modern, the CRA Building had some problems. The open plaza in front of it often had strong winds. This was because the tall, flat side of the building caught the wind and pushed it down.
By the 1970s, some people felt the building didn't fit in with the older, more traditional buildings on Collins Street. This part of the street was known for its beautiful historic look. Because of this, many people weren't sad when the CRA Building was taken down in 1988.
It was quite unusual for such a new and tall building to be demolished. The CRA Building was the youngest major building and the first skyscraper to be torn down in Melbourne.
What Replaced It?
After the CRA Building was demolished, a new, even taller building was built in its place. This new building is called 101 Collins Street. It has 57 floors and was completed in 1991. It was designed by a company called Denton Corker Marshall.
