The Posty, in a converted former Post Office, is a charming boutique venue specialising in woodfire pizzas, delicious salads, cold beer, cracking wine and friendly neighbourhood service.
The history of the building and the site goes to the heart of the life of Richmond around the turn of the 20th century.
The Richmond South Post Office was built in 1905 on a small, triangular site adjacent to the railway overpass in Swan Street, Richmond.
Originally the railway line was extended across Swan Street in 1860 and a signal box originally stood on this site, the Victorian Heritage Database (VHD) tells us.
The level crossing was replaced by an overhead bridge in 1887, presumably making the signal box obsolete at this stage.
In the early 1900s a number of buildings were erected along this section of Swan Street, including the Dimmeys store and State Savings Bank in 1907 and the Post Office, the VHD tells us.
“A post office already existed adjacent to the town hall in Bridge Road, opened about 1871, however an additional one was required and this small vacant site was selected.”
News reports of the time note the site was chosen because of its proximity to the railway station. The Richmond Guardian of 31 August 1902 quoted a local Dr Carnegie telling a meeting “the original proposed site was an excellent one for many reasons. It was close to the railway station which was an advantage in itself.”
The building is of great architectural and cultural significance. The VHD notes: “The former Richmond South Post Office is of architectural significance as a highly individual and distinctive public building produced by the Public Works Department. It is one of the most innovative post offices built in the first decade of the twentieth century.”
It adds that the former Richmond South Post Office’s architectural significance was also derived from its “carefully considered” design. “It was planned to cleverly fit on a tight triangular site…”
The building was historically important “as an early Commonwealth building designed and constructed under the supervision of the Victorian Public Works Department. It is an early example of the cooperative nature of State and Commonwealth public administration required to implement federation in Australia.”
The Richmond Guardian of 31 August 1902 notes this connection. It reported “the residents of Swan Street were surprised that the site was not considered convenient. The land belonged to the Government and the building could be erected at a much less cost than elsewhere.”
The Richmond South branch closed in 1972. From 1974 it housed the Post Office Museum until around 1989, when it was sold into private ownership.
Today, 117 years later, The Posty features a great beer garden and cosy interior.
Come in and enjoy an icon’s history in a contemporary setting.
