24 December 2020: My 1991 proposal to give the Arts Centre a new spire instead of finishing the then existing short one- by putting it on the concert hall instead. Something like the spire we were going to get back in the 60s. Can’t recall whether I thought some or all would’ve copper, but certainly … Continue reading Arts centre spire idea →

Repost 2016: Linacre's Terrace, 1857, #victoriaparade, #eastmelbourne, features an elegant arcaded porch / inset verandah, apparently made in #sandstone. (and a rather vestigial pediment). The heritage citation says it's important as an early terrace, though actually there are plenty more that are earlier, though I spose not by much. The earliest are nearby, like royal … Continue reading Early terrace in Victoria Parade →

Repost 2015: Another former #fitzroypub the Leicester Arms in Leicester Street off Brunswick, and pretty bloody intact too. Probably cos it had a short life and just became a house I suppose. Appears in newspapers in 1872, which looks right, but God knows why they built it since its hidden down a side street and … Continue reading Ex pub in Fitzroy →

Repost 2017: #MonashReligiousCentre, #MockridgeStahleandMitchell, 1968. An interdenominational chapel, so no crosses, with a lovely calm atmosphere inside (though there are some #stainedglasswindows). The outside very understated like many of the early Monash buildings, (except the Ming Wing), though can’t say I actually like it much, an odd shape, neither dome nor cylinder, and the low … Continue reading Monash Religious Centre →

So nearly 10 years ago I got a letter in the age re the now dumped Tower Melbourne, cnr Bourke & Queen - railing against the idea that towers could go almost straight up, very close to boundaries, and nobody seemed to care what this did to the street scale, or neighbours. This was the … Continue reading I prefer podiums to gong straight up →

Repost 2014: Repost 2014: ENSOR 1875 #crouchandwilson for Joseph Levy. If you really made it in Melbourne’s early Jewish community, you might build a mansion here, just round the corner from the East Melb synagogue. It’s one of the #rowmansions on #victoriaparade #eastmelbourne all owned by #eyeandearhospital. Restored 1995. Ardee, 1881 by #crouchandwilson 6 years … Continue reading Row mini mansions, Victoria Parade →

Repost 2015: The stylish 1965 TAA HQ in Franklin Street has just been #heritagelisted. One of dozens of buildings in the city north heritage study, approved by the #CityofMelbourne last year, just approved by the Minister. First #postwarhighrise to be independently listed by the City, and first office tower that isn't severely #modernist to be … Continue reading TAA, Franklin Street →

Repost 2017: The #PalaisTheatreMelbourne new enclosed #wintergarden / glazed lobby extension thing is finished - not awful, but sooo black, and oddly curved, the arches don’t extend out from the arched windows behind, so why didn’t they just make it straight ? and then you could see the tops of the arched windows behind (which … Continue reading Palais Theatre →

Repost 2019: Collins House, just finished, 466 Collins, #BatesSmart l, on top of the partly preserved #Huddartparker building - I’m quite surprised to see that the stepping back then forward again, normally a no-no, works in this case- prob because it’s such a high gap, and effectively puts the tower above the National Bank next … Continue reading Collins House →

Great #OldEnglish shops on Commercial Road near Chapel Street, recently sold for $9.8 mill to ‘Malaysian developers’ (I’m told it’s Buelah) - but they’re B graded in the chapel street #heritageprecinct, so pretty safe. Might replace the rear wings with 10 storeys, but the price reflects shop income I think. Can’t find much about them, … Continue reading More Tudor shops →