Brunswick Market

Jan 2019

In Ballarat Street, Brunswick, one block back from Sydney Road, there’s this crazy thing – the former #BrunswickMarket was designed by #IGAnderson (who went on to do loads of great #ArtDeco flats later), and built in 1930. Just in time for the depression to hit, and it went bankrupt in 1933 (it was a private endeavour). Contained Victoria’s first ‘self-serve grocery’, almost a supermarket, and the roof is held up by huge arched #BelfastTruss supports.

Crazy combo of Spanish, Gothic and stylised almost #ArtDeco – Anderson also did the Avon Butter Factory in Fitzroy in a similar style, and designed an even more exciting version as a market in Bendigo in 1931, sadly not built. This place was I think threatened in the 90s, but added to the #VictorianHeritageRegister in 1997. Think it’s been struggling for uses, or maybe not, just nothing terribly exciting (a dance studio?) – seems to be a woodworker in one corner – the main entrances not used as such.

For sale right now, photos 3,4, from ads, seems there’s some (windowless ?) apartments – fortunately given the importance of the trusses it won’t be facaded for 5 floors of flats.