Original post 4 May 2020

The flats called Banff in #FitzroyStreetStKilda, very interesting #creambrick, almost Bauhaus lines (though the stair towers are more typical Art Deco).

Built 1940, architects S & MC Nelson, who I’ve never heard of. It was all painted off white for maybe decades, but the smart body corporate stripped it all off about 15 years ago and it still looks great. More recently they’ve added the glass balustrades, new standards I suppose. The front flats very spacious, great views, the ones behind, not so much, but access via the lush garden is nice. And in a real innovation for 1940 it includes built in basement car parking ! Only pre WW2 example I know of. Helps the site was a bit of a slope. And it’s had a cafe called Banff since 1942.

Photos 22 August 2019.

August 2024

The cafe website, and one on ww2 in Aust, says it and the cafe was used by/ for servicemen during the war, though seems more likely that the place just had a lot of servicemen, since across the street in there were big barrracks in Albert Park.

2026

August 2026

As far as I can work it out, the recently closed Banff Cafe has been trading under that name since early 1942, about a year after the dramatically modern flats were finished. Maybe the cute painted signs are also 1942? Or maybe recent since they match the poster once inside. It was very cosy, with an original fireplace and north light. I hope whoever gets it next keeps the name and the atmosphere (but maybe faster service !). The architects were S & MC Nelson, who I’ve never heard of, and it was developed by J L Daley, who had a bit of an empire, developing and opening the Majestic, Regal and Waldorf next door and other shops down Fitzroy Street. Pics 4,5 via facebook.

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