Original post 8 Feb 2018: The site of one of my first losses while working at the @nationaltrustvic in the early 90s - or rather ours, cos I’d just started working there when Melbourne’s first #cabletram #enginehouse was demolished for the sake of a flared intersection - most annoying cos they could’ve at least kept … Continue reading Cable Tram Engine House, lost →

Original post 8 Feb 2021: This is one that honestly I can’t even bear to look at - which VCAT thought was fine ! And unfortunately going ahead whereas many other much more acceptable ones arnt. It’s a 20 storey office tower plonked over the retained and restored upper facades of the 1925 Metropolitan Hotel … Continue reading Metropolitan Hotel horror, William Street →

Original post 6 February 2017: The beaut Courier Building on #DorcasStreet #SouthMelbourne, can't find exact date, but I bet 1880s, crazy vertical three storey office building on a terrace house sized block. I can tell you however that the Courier was only published from 1900 to 1914 thanks the the #MelbourneCircle blog.

Original posts 6 February 2021 I still think of this simply as ‘Russell Street’, a fabbo skyscraper style HQ for the Victoria Police, in the news recently since a mini series about the 1986 bombing recreated the scene right in front (!). Replacing old barracks, the #RussellStreetPoliceStation was built 1941-3 (despite war restrictions on everyone … Continue reading Russell Street Police Station →

Original post 5 February 2018: Think replacing one of the buildings at #FedSq with an Apple flagship store is a bad idea ? Especially one that’s practically a copy of the Chicago one ? Then: email the City of Melbourne in support of the motion to request that State Parliament disallow the planning amendment that … Continue reading Apple Store at Fed Square – just say no ! →

Origin post 5 February 2021: Ajax Insurance, cnr Queen and Little Collins, yet another of the 55 #midcentury office blocks up for #heritagelisting, and another fave of mine, even though it’s a bit retro for 1957. Designed by HD Berry, who didn’t go on to much it seems, but did well with this, which would … Continue reading Ajax insurance →

Original post 4 Feb 2021: A bit of #perspectivecorrect makes this archway look very impressive, but then it is ! And it’s at the end of my street. It’s called #Ripplemere on #GreyStreetStKilda, built 1884, designed by one of faves #FrederickdeGaris, who did a few really OTT #HighVictorian at it's highest - though actually this … Continue reading Ripplemere, St Kilda →

Original post 3 Feb 2016 A #melbourbemansion. #StudleyHall, first part 1857, then 1875 enlarged and altered to what you see here, designed by william J Ellis. Great double level columned verandas. Owned by infamous character #johnwren from 1919, who then gifted it to the Catholic Church in 1969 to become #BurkeHall, junior school for Xavier.

Original post 2 February 2021: Always had a soft spot for his one - #GuardianInsurance, corner of Collins & William, 1960-61 - it’s clad in precast concrete panels faced with Stawell stone, and its representative of the sudden move in 1960 to a sense of solidity in office buildings, away from the 50s glass curtain … Continue reading Guardian Insurance →

Original post 2 February 2018: The beautiful #wroughtiron gates to the side vehicle entry of #parliamenthousemelbourne, erected 1889. Built for the horse and buggy era, they operated on little rollers, which I suppose are still there, but theyre never going to open again; there’s now a new simple sliding security gate thing which looks pretty … Continue reading Parliament House gates →