Repost this day 2017: This crumbling #cornershop has looked like this as long as I can remember. Taking the #distressedlook to extremes. 2021 update : sold in 2019, and turns out it was part of a big L shape site with equally untouched building on Highett St, was owned by the Pearce family, who ran … Continue reading Crumbling in Richmond →

Repost this day 2018: Repost 2018: Ulimaroa, another nice #StKildaRoadMansion, built 1890, attributed to JAB Koch ‘on stylistic grounds’, but might have been by #LeonardJFlannagan. Your typical towered Victorian mansion with return cast iron verandah, but with an extra set of bay windows, and a bit more detailing than most, like the nice cast iron … Continue reading Ulimaroa, St Kilda Road →

26 July 2018: Repost 2018, updated : Little Milton, 1926; an impressive Toorak mansion, not little at all ! Built c1926 in Old English style in Albany Road for SJ Moran of Moran & Cato grocers. Didn’t realise that it was notable not only as a fine design, but because it was by a ‘woman … Continue reading A woman architect in Toorak, 1926 →

Repost from 2014 : #crazyhouse, 3 Westgarth Street, #fitzroy.Probably a 1960s #renovation of a #terracehouse perhaps by an Italian immigrant concreter but who knows ? Looks like made of leftovers from an office block or shopping centre. Definitely #featurism, as #robinboyd would say. I love it. Graded ‘non contributory’ in the heritage precinct, but to … Continue reading Notable postwar terrace houses →

30 July 2021 Clyde House, 1915, Collins Street next to the Athenaeum, one of the numerous pre 1960 #tallthinfrontages you find in the CBD- and yet another Edwardian era design by #NahumBarnet, this one all one big bay window, no clear style, with delightful decorations of thistles that are almost Art Nouveau curly (quite out … Continue reading Clyde House, Collins Street →

22 July 2018 The Willows, originally Estella, built 1890, likely architect #WilliamWolf - it’s pretty amazing, clusters of Tuscan columns, supporting the panels with bas relief classical scenes. A very grand front for a single story house for Leon Cohen, a ‘well known bookmaker’ (who started out with his own clothing business age 21 in … Continue reading Estella/Rathgael/The Willows →

Looking spooky in the rain yesterday - this black tower on the corner of Swanston and Little Collins was built for Cann’s Drapery, in two stages, the first 6 floors in 1919, designed by #NahumBarnet, using Monier #reinforcedconcrete (photo 3) which allowed for another 2 floors in 1935, designed by #MarcusBarlow (who did the same … Continue reading Cann’s Ladieswear, Swanston Street →

Repost 2015 (!) : Surprised to learn recently that this was not just a stylish block of #artdecoflats in #alfredcrescent #northfitzroy but was originally built late 30s as a #policestation, and designed by my favourite architect #percyeverett, chief architect of the #publicworksdepartment!

Repost this day 2014 (my first Samsung had a pretty good camera) : Totally #neoclassical #terracehouses on VictoriaParade on the East Melbourne side - always admired these for stolid proportions and #unpainted finish and being uncommon for a #victorian design. Turns out that's because they're not ! Built 1910 designed by G W Vanheems best … Continue reading Neo Classical in East Melbourne →

20 July 2017: Fabbo #VictorianHouse in Mills St #MiddlePark, when one #fretwork #gable isn't enough, even when you've already got #polychromebrick. Spose it's more #SwissCottage than Italiante, but basically it's a #HighVictorian pileiton ! Sept 2024