Original post 1 March 2020

Always a bit fascinated by Kelvin Mansions at 325 #DandenongRoad, I knew it was early but not much else – it looks very Edwardian, but it’s actually 1922, and even more surprising the top floor is 1932 ! A #depressionera addition to increase the revenue. It was built by bookmaker Vernon Hurt as a block of just four spacious 2 bed room flats, designed by EJ & CL Ruck, surprisingly with the main bedroom at the front, and the lounge on the sides – and it’s entered from each side, so that central balcony actually belongs to the flats on the east side, it’s not the entry; each flat has its own glass door on the stair landing (which on the west side is suspended above the driveway). Vernon occupied one of flats, at least into the 30s. The interiors are very Edwardian too, all that #leadlight and plasterwork. Not sure if ever been sold individually, the photos I found are from rental ad. It’s now named after the Frohlich-West’s, who were Polish child holocaust survivors, and have donated to Jewish charities in the last 20years, maybe it’s an income stream ? There’s another block behind, looks the same period, facing Karbarook Ave, and part of King David School.

Update 2024: the whole site is for sale, apparently all the flats are already strata titled, and it has a heritage overlay. B&W photos are by Graeme Butler from 1982.

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