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Designed for the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, the World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building has been a leading character in the story of Melbourne for 140 years. Explore the grandeur of one of the world’s last remaining Palaces of Industry.
Celebrating 140 years, Melbourne’s iconic Royal Exhibition Building continues to be the place that brings people, culture and ideas together. Discover the stories from the marvellous Royal Exhibition Building.
The Royal Exhibition Building, like you’ve never seen it before. Zoom in to appreciate the true beauty and extraordinary detail of this iconic building.
Part of a six day project with CyArk in 2018 over 400 LiDar scans and 11,000 high resolution images were needed to create the model.
See how architect Joseph Reed created a temple to industry using a cruciform layout. While his use of the Rundbogenstil style combined with radial fan lights, based on those from the Crystal Palace, gave the Exhibition Building a sense of grandeur and presence. Enjoy a bird's eye view of the soaring 67 meter dome which was inspired by the iconic dome of the Florence Cathedral.
Creator: CyArk with the support of Iron Mountain
The Royal Exhibition Collection of well over 5,000 objects reflects all aspects of the building's history: objects displayed at the two great International Exhibitions; souvenirs; certificates and medals awarded to exhibitors and commissioners; invitations to concerts, balls and the opening of parliament: catalogues to the International Exhibition and museum displays. The collection also contains photographs of the building from the 1880s to the present day, and other pictorial reproductions including watercolours, postcards and lithographic prints.
Growing continuously together, Melbourne and the Royal Exhibition Building have been recognised by the Australian Government with an historic $20M investment.
Explore the history of Melbourne's International Exhibitions through the stunning art collection of 19th-century businessman John Twycross.
Your donation will help us restore the Royal Exhibition Building to its former glory and preserve its spectacular heritage in Melbourne’s history for future generations.