That's Built · Building report

Orion House

22-38 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Generated 8 November 2026
Commercial · Unoccupied - Unused

49 mheight

11floors

1921completed

0businesses

0permits

Development milestones

Planning application	2020	Planning application TP-2020-417/A lodged
Approved	Approved	Planning permit granted (exact date not recorded)
Completed	1921	Orion House completed: 11 floors

Building team

Owner: State Electricity Commission of Victoria
Architect: Alfred Romeo La Gerche
Builder: Hansen Yuncken
Owner: Orion International Group
Owner: Fidinam Group

Planning & subdivision

Zone: CCZ1
Overlays: DDO1, DDO10, HO1086, PO1
Scores: 🚆 7 · ☕ 7 · 🌳 8 · ✨ 6

Timeline

2024Council census records it as unoccupied - unused, 11 floors
Name recorded: Orion House

2022Council census records it as unoccupied - under renovation, 11 floors
Name recorded: Orion House

2021Council census records it as unoccupied - unused, 11 floors
Name recorded: Orion House

2020Planning application TP-2020-417/A lodged
Derived from City of Melbourne Development Activity Monitor

15 Oct 2019Swann House sold for $52 million to Fidinam-represented investor
Orion International Group sold the Swann House office at 22 William Street for $52 million, two and a half times the $21.6 million it paid in 2014. The buyer was an investor represented by Swiss-based fund manager Fidinam Group, and the article said about 95 per cent of the 5657 square metres of lettable area was tenanted.

16 Jul 2019Orion International Group lists Swann House (Orion House) for sale
Orion International Group, which had bought the building for $21.6 million in August 2014 and renamed it Orion House, put it up for sale, with the property expected to sell for more than $45 million. The article said 95 per cent of the 5700 square metres of lettable area was tenanted and noted airspace redevelopment potential.

2019Council census records it as office, 11 floors
Name recorded: Orion House

18 Jun 2014Swann House at 22 William Street listed for sale with about $20 million expected
The ornate 10-storey office building at 22 William Street was listed for sale in June 2014, with offers closing on 25 July. The agent anticipated about $20 million, and the article noted its potential for hotel or residential redevelopment.

2010Council census records it as office, 11 floors
Name recorded: Swann House

2002First council census entry: office, 11 floors

1921Orion House completed: 11 floors
Derived from City of Melbourne

ApprovedPlanning permit granted (exact date not recorded)
Derived from City of Melbourne Development Activity Monitor

Building permits and certificates (0)

Each cost is the estimate on that record. Stages of a project often repeat its full value, so these don't add up to what was spent.

Questions and answers

Is Orion House residential or commercial?
Orion House is a commercial building. The City of Melbourne lists its main use as unoccupied - unused.

When was Orion House built?
Orion House was completed in 1921.

How many floors does Orion House have?
Orion House has 11 floors above ground.

What businesses are in Orion House?
The latest council census counted 0 businesses in Orion House.

Is there office or retail space for lease in Orion House?
See the commercial listings on this page, or search this address on realcommercial.com.au and commercialrealestate.com.au.

Who designed and built Orion House?
Alfred Romeo La Gerche designed Orion House and Hansen Yuncken built it. The building team section has the sources.

How tall is Orion House?
About 49 metres, measured from the City of Melbourne's 3D building model. It's number 310 of 1596 buildings in Melbourne by height.

What public transport is near Orion House?
Flinders Street Station is the nearest train station, about 7 minutes' walk. The nearest tram stop is Flinders St/Queens Bridge St #1, about 2 minutes' walk.

What is the planning zone for Orion House?
The site is in the Capital City Zone - Schedule 1 (CCZ1). It's also under a Heritage Overlay (HO1086).

Sources: CLUE building information (CC BY 4.0); Development Activity Monitor (CC BY 4.0); Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF) (Open G-NAF EULA (CC BY 4.0 based)). General information from public records, not legal, financial or building advice.