But this photo-shopped version of the Ballarat City Seniors Centre has got local residents talking about the possibilities.

The person behind the cleverly re-touched image is Peter Sparkman, a Ballarat-based graphic designer and visual artist.

Having passed the building on Little Bridge Street for many years, he views it as an eyesore and wondered if it could do with a little help.

"It's always been a boring grey," he told The Courier.

"It's just terrible in the centre of town. It's almost the same colour as the bitumen in the car park.

"Why not do something nice with it?"

Mr Sparkman posted his vision to the Facebook page "Wouldn't Ballarat be a better place if..." and has received dozens of positive responses.

"We need to do this," wrote one. "Beautiful," posted another. "Love the idea might just brighten up a very dull bit of Ballarat," a third person wrote.

The local member for Ballarat Catherine King also retweeted the idea.

Mr Sparkman has previously put forward suggestions to revitalise neglected parts of town, including a vision to turn one of Ballarat's historic railway signal boxes into a cafe.

See the difference a photo mural might make:

Of the Senior Citizens Centre on his Facebook post, he wrote: "Why does it have to be a hideous grey box? It's right in the centre of town.

"I reckon this would be a great idea and create visibility and respectful recognition for our ageing population in a great fun way.

"I'd love to see it turn into something like this."

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