I only learnt about them from a video I was watching earlier, but Coffee Palaces were built as an alcohol-free alternatives to pubs modeled after European coffee houses but using the insane wealth of the time - Melbourne is often considered the world's richest city in 1880 due to gold rush; to make them attractive to customers.

We should all have many and it's a shame they're gone.

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

Looks insane, like 7 or 8 stories high, with a tower. Incredible architecture and wealth.

[–] Contentedness@lemmy.nz 4 points 9 months ago

The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne is also stunning. Turns out it was also build in 1880.

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

A classy place to get your fix