January 2026 Highly decorated little industrial building in Cecil Place Prahran, which I later learned is David’s, a well regarded Chinese restaurant. Can’t find out any details but I’d guess mid 1930s, when Art Deco was still in its more decorative phase. It’s part of a row of three interesting facades, the next one rather … Continue reading Cecil Place Prahran →

Xmas 2025 A walk along Moonee Ponds Creek in Kensington on Christmas Day - the creek and its bridge from Racecourse Road to Dynon Road is one big heritage precinct ! I knew the bridges were somewhat significant, so I took lots of pics. The Macauley Road one is 1923, and designed by the Monier … Continue reading Moonee ponds creek →

January 2026 The wildly named Zaneth Manor on Brighton Road opposite the St Kilda Town Hall has very interesting drippy brickwork in the gables, probably inspired by 1910s Dutch expressionist work, via the US. It was built in 1936, and has the added distinction that I lived there 1990-93 in flat eight, middle top floor … Continue reading Zenith of Zaneth →

January 2026 The really very grand Victoria Hotel on Beaconsfield Parade on the corner of Kerferd Road. It was built in 1888 for Mary McGregor when there was virtually nothing here, but it was the peak of the boom. The pier was built the next year, so I’m sure that helped but maybe it wasn’t … Continue reading Victoria Hotel, Beaconsfield Parade →

January 2025 #SouthYarraStation, this front built 1918, when the station was rebuilt to its current form, with 6 platforms. Not terribly exciting, compared to some of the more exuberant brick and render Edwardian stations, but nice, though last time I swapped trains here, it was all a bit crowded. A nice set of ramps and … Continue reading South Yarra Station →

16 January 2026 Just been alerted by @nickolaivanlierop to this Edwardian house at 5 Westbank Terrace in Richmond - which doesn’t look like much outside, but inside sports an array amazing pressed metal not just on the ceilings, but whole walls too, with a variety of patterns. They’re mostly Art Nouveau, and some in very … Continue reading Pressed metal bonanza →

15 January 2026 Im getting in some shots before he’s attacked again - this is the statue of Captain Cook put up in 1914 (pic 5 is the unveiling). It’s an extra casting of an original of 1912 by sculptor John Tweed put up in Whitby in Yorkshire, the place where Cook first took to … Continue reading Captain Cook St Kilda →

January 2026 Another one of the very nice Art Deco Commonwealth Banks built around Melbourne in the 30s. This one dates from 1939, and it’s on Barkly Street at the end of the Acland Street shops. Apparently made out of two pre-existing shops. Like the others it features an entrance marked by a two storey … Continue reading Commonwealth Bank St Kilda →

January 2026 Curious place you’ve probably seen at the beginning of Kerferd Road, Albert Park, which sort of hugs the curved boundary. Since there’s a bay window up front, I assume it was Victorian terrace originally, then converted / expanded probably in the 1930s. I always thought it was turned into flats, since there’s two … Continue reading Kerferd corner →

12 January 2026 A rather decrepit looking Victorian cottage in Dickens Street Elwood, near Mitford, with a nicely elaborate use of block-fronting (imitating stone blocks) and lots of detailing around the windows. I thought it was maybe abandoned - but it’s advertised as a share house with 6 rooms and 9 beds ! Likely it … Continue reading Packed to the rafters →