Federation Square

Federation Square is a massive complex on the banks of the Yarra, built to mark the centenary of the Federation.  The Fed Square buildings were the result of an International Competition. Federation Square sits on the main intersection of Melbourne and was formed by covering the Princes Gate rail yards with a large and expensive concrete decking over 12 rail lines. A set of juxtaposed buildings forming complex relationships, Fed Square is composed of three shards. The Western Shard, composed of glass was cut short by premier Steve Bracks during construction for political reasons. Another shard, clad in a silver material is tall and slender, marked by the unusual shape. The two together were designed to frame the view of St Paul's Cathedral, making it appear more prominent. A third shard is a riverside nightclub, with a video screen. The forecourt of Federation Square is composed of sandstone from the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Other Fed Square buildings are clad in a complex geometrical composition of materials broken by silver clad elements and green glass. A huge open atrium of complex triangular glass panels intersects the buildings.  The complex opened in October 2002.

St. Paul's Cathedral
Built from 1880 to 1892 from the designs of William Butterfield, a famous English Gothic revival architect, the Anglican St. Paul's Cathedral is noteworthy for its highly-decorative interior and the English organ built by T. S Lewis. Gold mosaics cover the walls, Victorian tiles the floors, there are intricate woodcarvings, stained-glass windows, and the cathedral sports the second highest spire (at 98m/321 ft.) in the Anglican Communion. Outside is a statue of Matthew Flinders, the first sailor to navigate the Australian mainland between 1801 and 1803.