Mercator

Built in many stages between 1880s and 1960s, Mercator was part of the Laundry precinct. Its rough-cast render provides a link between it and the other buildings constructed at the same time. Its constant updating reflects the Sisters’ aim to maintain best practice in the business of laundries – their main income source. Most Good Shepherd convents around the world utilised a commercial laundry set up as a dominant stream of income and as a place of work for their inmates. The Abbotsford Convent looked after washing needs of the Archbishop, some of Melbourne’s genteel community, as well as several hospitals and hotels such as the Windsor.

This building was the principal sorting and washing area within the laundry complex.

Current use

In a fascinating transformation that has revealed a surprisingly eclectic range of charming light-filled studio spaces, the Mercator studios are now the much treasured home of a creatively industrious community. Practitioners in art forms such as jewelery, glass blowing, ceramics, product design, and other creative disciplines offer additional learning opportunities as well as the opportunity to buy work direct from makers.