First glimpse of historic Flinders Street Station façade

Victorians will soon get their first glimpse of the restored façade of Flinders Street Station, lovingly repaired as part of the Victorian Government’s $100 million upgrade of the iconic building.

Works inside the historic clock tower were inspected today – the first time it has been possible since the station was built more than a century ago.

The glass clock faces and hand have been taken away for restoration and an internal steel frame has been built to strengthen the tower to protect it for the next century.

The iconic view of the station’s clock on the Flinders Street intersection will be back by Christmas as scaffolding on the north side will be gradually removed from tomorrow until May 2018.

More than 5,000 litres of paint and 3.5 tons of mortar have been used in the restoration of the beloved building, and 600 windows have been restored and painted.

The roof has also been waterproofed and the whole building has been stabilised to protect it for the future.

When the repainting is complete at the end of this year, Victorians and those visiting Melbourne will see the station restored in its 1910 original colours.

The Victorian Government project will also make the station more user-friendly for the 26 million passengers that travel through it each year.

The main concourse and Elizabeth Street subway toilets have already been refurbished, brighter lighting has been installed on all platforms and works around the western end of the station are well underway.

The project will create more than 80 jobs and is set to be complete in the second half of 2018.