What I See with Peter Fiorenza: As a lover of old buildings, I took the plunge, buying slice of local history

As a bit of an amateur historian, I’m a buildings buff. I’m all about places that tell a story about a time and the people who were around at that time. Maybe I’m a little boring for some, but I just love television programs such as Restoration Australia on the ABC. The show’s loose premise is about individuals and couples who take on the task of restoring and/or converting an old building, bringing it back to life. And the tales these old buildings tell us are more than fascinating, they are the stories of Australia. Now, I have always secretly harboured a desire to one day own a property in the older, more established part of Geraldton. Well, a couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and bought a little cottage near the Recreation Ground that dates back to the 1850s. It was around that time that Geraldton was first recognised as a town, so my little two-bedroom place is indeed something special. For some reason, when I venture into older areas or visit older buildings, I get a warm feeling inside. Geraldton’s old town area certainly has that affect on me, as does Fremantle and parts of Melbourne’s inner city. Actually, one area in Melbourne that has become quite significant for me in recent times is St Kilda. Once a beachside getaway, St Kilda has created its own niche today, with its assortment of famous cake shops, unique bookstores and iconic cafes and bars. Last time I was in Melbourne, I made a point of visiting the Esplanade Hotel, or ‘Espy’ as it is referred to by the locals. The pub dates back to 1878 and proudly pushes out its art deco chest past the modern towering apartment blocks that surround it. The Espy is one of the earliest, largest and most prominent resort hotels in Victoria, but it didn’t start out life that way. Up until 1904, it was the home of Alfred Felton, who was a well-known philanthropist. One of his guests was famed American author, Mark Twain, who wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and later Tom Sawyer. I actually came across the grand old building when I read that it was recently for sale, and thought it would be worth a look. Now, I didn’t intend to put in a bid, only to see what all the fuss was about, and I’m glad I did. Jumping on the tram from South Bank I headed down for some lunch and a bit of a squizz with friends. And I wasn’t disappointed. To find a rather unique establishment with a special charm all of its own is something I reckon you should put on your to-do list when over that way. Incidentally, the Esplanade sold about a month ago for an eye-watering $64 million. Peter Fiorenza hosts Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA