An image from Union Lane, which runs between Bourke Street and Little Collins Street, between David Jones and 'The Walk Arcade' in Melbourne, when I was there last week to test the image upload function:

Union Lane appears to have become an official place for students to put up street art images. A community project as it were. It is part of Melbourne's Graffiti Mentoring Program. Whilst there I should have had a look at the Nicholas Building, which is an example of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture in Melbourne and is a Swanston Street landmark.

From what I gather the Nicholas Building is important as it has the only remaining vaulted leadlight arcade (called Cathedral Arcade) in Melbourne, which is surprisingly intact. Most of the ground floor shops retain their original fronts with the exception of a bookshop. The retail shops on the first floor are also extremely well preserved and according to the National Trust are an important example of 1920's office design.

The Nicholas Building has long endured as an important creative hub. Entry to the Deco era building is via the Cathedral Arcade with its vaulted leadlight ceiling and cluster of niche boutiques including Alice Euphemia and Genki. Upstairs is Retrostar’s vintage emporium, the Victorian Writer’s Centre and a diverse vertical community of artists and artisans including jewellers, designers and milliners.