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Town Hall, 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne
Town Hall, 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne

Now and Then 2021 – HMAS Apartments and Lagoon Pier

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Completed in 2001, the HMAS Apartments were designed by the renowned architectural firm of Fender Katsalidis, who also designed Eureka Tower, Australia 108 and many other striking buildings. The towers of this apartment complex are visible from many parts of Port Melbourne.

The name reflects the history of the site which was the location of the naval base HMAS Lonsdale from 1940 until 1992. During the Second World War, thousands of recruits did their basic training here. Likewise, it was used for National Service conscripts during the 1950s.

Colour photograph looking along a narrow pier towards the foreshore and the highrise HMAS Apartments.
HMAS Apartments from Lagoon Pier (2021). Photo: David Thompson. PMHPS Collection.

The name reflects the history of the site which was the location of the naval base HMAS Lonsdale from 1940 until 1992. During the Second World War, thousands of recruits did their basic training here. Likewise, it was used for National Service conscripts during the 1950s.

Left: Black and white photo of HMAS Lonsdale parade ground decorated with bunting. Right: Black and white photo of HMAS Lonsdale recruits sitting. Some are wearing naval uniforms, some are in civilian suits and some have kitbags on the floor in front of them.
Left: HMAS Lonsdale Parade Ground (c. 1952). PMHPS Collection. Right New recruits at HMAS Lonsdale (1951). State Library of Victoria.

In 1982, the City of Port Melbourne granted the personnel of HMAS Lonsdale the Freedom of Entry to the City underscoring the close association between the Royal Australian Navy and the local community. Built in 1912, the former naval Drill Hall in Bay Street reminds us of the presence in Port Melbourne of the Navy since the time of its formation. The service of all Naval men and women in war and in peace is commemorated by the statue, Answering the Call, on the Port Melbourne foreshore opposite Dow Street.

Lagoon Pier is a reminder of the small boat harbour that once extended from Hobsons Bay back to Rouse Street, the last remnant of the former Sandridge Lagoon. A young Henry Whatty frequently took pictures of boats and people enjoying themselves along the foreshore.

Left: Portion of MMBW 1894 map showing the boat harbour cut into the Port Melbourne foreshore. Right: Black and white photo of a small harbour with wooden wharves on each side. There are several small sailing boats moored in the harbour. Two men stand on the right wharf looking at the boats.
Left: MMBW Map showing Lagoon Harbour (1894). State Library of Victoria. Right: Lagoon Harbour in 1910s. Photo: Henry Whatty. PMHPS Collection.

In the 1920s, the boat harbour was filled in and the land reclaimed leaving only the curved pier that provided a safe haven for small craft. Harper’s Starch Factory, now Sandridge Bay Towers, and onetime movie set, can be seen on the right with its distinctive chimney. This building, dating from the 1890s, was the first high rise tower on the Port Melbourne foreshore.

Aerial black and white photograph of Port Melbourne showing where the lagoon has been filled in.
Reclaimed land where HMAS Lonsdale was later located (c.1931). Port Phillip City Collection.

This article is based on one of the panels that formed the Now and Then Exhibition of the Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society in October 2021. The original panel can be seen here.

Corner Bay and Beach Streets | Now and Then 2021 | Albert and Alfred Streets

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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and work, the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.