Original post 16 April 2020
A nice #ArtDecoFactory in #BerkeleyStreet, #SouthCarlton. It was built for #REPCO in 1938, and the architect was FA Bell. This area was by the 30s a bit of a car area, with Melford Motors and various suppliers; this was REPCO’s warehouse for their spare parts business. It looks a bit abandoned now. Photo 3 December 2019.
10 February 2025
Striking but neglected Deco office in Doonside Street Richmond off Burnley, which I photographed in 2014. Nice curved corner topped by fins, and some porthole windows. Seems it was built in 1938 for Repco, at the same time as their factory in Berkeley Street. The architect for that was FA Ball, so maybe he did this one too. I guess it was once surrounded by single storey factory buildings, but now it’s surrounded by the yard for Harry the Hirer, who clearly doesn’t/didn’t use it. The site was reported in 2021 to be another huge Gurner, but no news since. And yes it’s heritage listed. Photos 3,4 from the heritage study, c2007.
Storey of Melbourne 