George Raymond Johnson

George Raymond Johnson (7 February 1840 – 25 November 1898) was an architect who practiced in late 19th century Melbourne and Perth, Australia. He is known for designing numerous important buildings, especially town halls and theatres.

Biography Johnson was born in Southgate, England and at age 13 began working with George Hall, Midland Railway architect. At 19 he moved to London, presumably to continue his architectural career. On 24 July 1862 he married Emma Louise Wood and, two days later, the couple embarked on a journey of emigration to Queensland.

Architectural works Johnson is known today for the design of a number of town halls across Victoria, notably the impressive Collingwood Town Hall, probably the most elaborate of the grand towered Second Empire style town halls that characterised the boom years of Melbourne in the 1880s. However he achieved most contemporary renown for his theatres in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide (perhaps as many as fifteen ), now all demolished.

A selection of Johnson's notable buildings are listed below. For a complete list of known works, see the database compiled by Johnson's descendant, architect Peter Johnson, included in Pride of Hotham (Hannan, 2006).

Trading as Meat Market

Cathedral Hotel (1882/83), Swanston Street, north east corner of Flinders Lane, Melbourne 1883 hotel demolished c1970

"Battle of Waterloo" Cyclorama 55 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 1889 entertainment demolished 1927

Theatre Royal (auditorium only) Hay Street, Perth 1897 theatre interior now shops, exterior survives