Description

The Catholic Theological College comprises two buildings, both architecturally significant in different ways. The site's original building, an imposing three-storey bluestone structure on Victoria Parade, was built in 1871. It was designed by William Wardell, the architect of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. The building was occupied by Parade College until 1967 when the college relocated to its current site at Bundoora. From 1968 to 1994, it was occupied by Cathedral College.

In 1999, Melbourne-based architect Gregory Burgess oversaw the redevelopment of the original building and the construction of a new building for the Catholic Theological College, which had previously been located in Clayton.

The original bluestone building has rooms for lectures and seminars and is connected via two levels to the new building. The new building has a striking modern design and provides light-filled facilities for the reception, offices, common room, meeting spaces and an extensive library. The building won the 2001 Heritage Property Award from the Australian Property Institute and the Melbourne Prize Commendation in the 2000 Royal Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Architecture Awards.

What's On

A brochure will be available for the audience to do a self-guided tour of the building. The audience will learn about the site's two buildings, including the original bluestone building designed by William Wardell, which previously housed Catholic secondary schools. The new building was designed by Gregory Burgess, who will be on site between 10am to 12pm to engage with visitors.