A Building with History

Denton Mills, originally designed and built in the late 1880s, housed Australia’s first steam powered hat factory in an age when it was improper to go out without one. Its architect, William Pitt, designed some of Melbourne’s most notable buildings of the era, including the famous Princess Theatre, the Rialto and the Older Fleet Building in Collins Street.

Today we seek to preserve and enhance our historic treasures, and as such, Denton Mills is about to commence the next phase of its life as a contemporary living and working environment. Of course, many of the inherent historical features will be preserved - like the wonderful façade itself that stretches for 95 metres (300 feet) along Nicholson Street, the cast iron columns within the building, the bluestone stairways and the wooden roof trusses, all indicative of an era when craftsmanship was paramount. The old chimney, which was connected to the steam boilers of the 1880s, will remain as the landmark it has always been - broadcasting the original heritage of the site.

The original Denton Mills building is listed by Heritage Victoria, the National Trust and is on the Register of the National Estate.