This grand old hotel from 1884 is visible in old panoramic photos from 1887 and the view from the Eastern Hill Fire Tower in 1905
as well as in the 2016 view from the Fire Tower
Today, we look back from Hotel Windsor towards Heritage Melbourne and can clearly see the lookout Tower of the former Eastern Hill Fire Station, the Royal Exhibition Building, St Patrick's Cathedral, Parliament, Treasury, Princess Theatre and also the Imperial Hotel on the NW corner of Spring St and Bourke St, the lower floor of which is visible to us in 1862 in a panorama from the roof of Parliament House. We also have views of this hotel from Parliament in 1870 and 1880, which clearly show the plaque on the second floor – Erected 1863. Image courtesy of State Library of Vic H624 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/69518
Of course, the most natural thing to do for Hidden Melbourne, was to knock on their door and obtain permission to capture a modern view from the rooftop bar of this very old hotel!!!