This odd #redbrick wall right on the street at the corner of #PuntRoad and Commercial Road in #SouthYarra is actually #FawknerMansions, built in 1910, and Melbourne’s oldest extant #blockofflats. Reputedly the first to be purpose built self contained flats, with 25 ‘complete suites’ of 5 rooms each. Designed by Ernest Willis in that severe red brick non specific style that seemed to be popular for the #earlyflats; its kind of castley, with corner turret things, and towers either side of the entrance, smallish windows, with a Queen Anne style pediment over the entrance and arched windows above. Originally it was even more severe, those small windows in the side are later. In 1950 it became nurses quarters for the Alfred, I think altering the interior a lot, making it more like 2 flats per floor, and later it was a boarding house, then emergency housing. It’s been half abandoned for a long time, reported to be empty and dilapidated in 2010, and 2016. This is at least partly because the Punt Road road widening easement in place since 1955 means it will be demolished one day – but maybe if it hangs on long enough, driverless cars or much better public transport will mean that won’t happen!?

The smaller windows either side possibly date from 1950.

The glass walls above the pediment enclose what was semi-outdoor stair landings.

National Trust 1973

State Library Victoria

Update December 2023: it’s now the Fawkner Mansions Heritage Hotel, budget accommodation, some reviews say it’s homey and fine, some that it needs work.

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