The site was first occupied by the police in 1858. In 1889 new police offices fronting primarily onto Mackenzie Street were built with muster room and quarters on each floor. It is believed this building housed the detective branch from this time on. By the 1920s the buildings were too cramped and a Royal Commission into the police in 1924 recommended a program of improvements to police facilities, including upgrading the Russell Street site. Additions to the 1889 building were made in 1927.
TheDuncan Report of 1936-37 precipitated complete redevelopment of the site in the 1940s. The final plans of 30 January 1940 did not allow for retention of any of the existing buildings. The site was to have ben entirely symmetrical. Wartime exigencies prevented the plans being completed so that a large part of the 1889 building survives.
The builders were Dawson and Smith. The cost was 125,000 pounds.
All alterations to non structural partitions in areas identified in the conservation plan entitled “Former Russell Street Police Headquarters, Melbourne” prepared by Bryce Raworth Pty Ltd (1996) as being of low contributory or no significance. This exemption does not include alterations to the former cinema/theatrette area, the ground floor entrance lobbies and the entire level 8 of the 1940’s tower block.
a) Installation, removal or replacement of carpets and/or flexible coverings.
b) Refurbishment of all bathrooms, toilets and kitchens including the removal, installation or replacement of any associated fittings and fixtures, plumbing, wiring, wall and floor coverings.
c) Installation, removal or replacement of electrical wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed and any original switches or outlets are retained in-situ.
d) Installation, removal or replacement of ducted, hydronic or concealed radiant type heating provided that the installation does not damage existing skirtings and architraves and provided that the location of the heating unit is concealed from view.
e) Painting of previously painted walls and ceilings provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of the original paint or other decorative scheme such as wall tiling.
f) Removal of any extraneous items such as air conditioners, pipe work, wiring, etc and the making good. This exemption does not include the removal of all or any part of the radio mast or timber flagpoles.
g) Removal of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, carried out in a manner that prevents damage to the original fabric of the registered place.