Repost 2018 (but 2nd photo this year): Totally #bronzed; the #VictorianAutomobileChamberofCommerce, not sure possibly base early 60s, top 1970, bronze coloured windows (some kind of copper inclusion) and brown painted steel. The ONLY 50s/60s office block left on #StKildaRoad of any note, partly because the #VACC have never left, and partly because it’s the only one that got #heritagelisted in the 90s. The ground level all parking (so you can see the cars of course ! Pic 3, 1970, #MarkStrizic. But hedges now obscure it. Designed by #BernardEvans, architect, developer, and long time city councillor and Lord Mayor in 1959-60. Long career of flats in the 30s and offices in the 50s-60s, including the long gone #CRAbuilding in Collins Street, the city’s tallest in 1962. 2021 update : they sold (for $100m !) in 2018, and will leave when leases expire, if they havnt already.
10 December 2021
Preservation by demolition?! The heritage listed VACC in St Kilda Road (1965, #BernardEvans) is not only getting way too many ‘additional’ floors, but they’re going to completely demolish and rebuild the existing building. Due to the defects of the curtain walling and the structure itself, though the planners report doesn’t detail what they are. I do know of three cases of complete modernist curtain wall replacement due to leaks etc – the UN building and Lever house in New York in the 90s, and Sydney AMP is getting the same treatment (though with larger areas of glass), but at least they’re just the curtain walls. But you could say who cares about the concrete frame? But still. And the @cityofportphillip heritage advisor thought both the additional floors and complete reconstruction was all ok. If they weren’t adding more floors, then they probably wouldn’t have to upgrade the structure or the facades, so ….. crazy. I feel if they’re going to completely replace, might as well make the ‘additional’ floors exactly match – which Bernard Evans would probably have done if the VACC had wanted more floors.
Storey of Melbourne 