14 September 2017

Repost 2017: The old (second) #AMPbuildingmelbourne, Collins corner Market Street, 1931. I can see why it’s described as ‘cubic’, but you have to be at the right angle, a function of being built up to the #132ftheightlimit. Suitably massive for an insurance co, it’s very fine, all Sydney sandstone, stylised classical, with a hint of #ArtDeco massing, you could call it #CommercialPalazzo, or if you’re in the US, Beaux Arts (maybe). It was designed by #batessmartmccutcheon, now just #batessmart, and won the Street Architecture Medal for 1932. Great carved window reveals, some lines about Fawkner’s pub once on this corner, and the statuary group called ‘Amicus’, versions of which went above or on most of their buildings into the 60s. Hasn’t changed much since it was built, B&W 2950s via Facebook. The Insurance Hall inside was particularly big, and rather plain (old pic from @nationallibraryaus 1981), and now has mezzanines and bars and stuff so you can barely see the walls. The first AMP was 1891, one block east (gone) the third one, 1 1/2 blocks round the corner, built 1969, ground level altered. Update : recently the facade was cleaned, but not sure it looks any different.

Repost 2017:

Hadnt noticed this before, on the 1930 Collins Street #AMPbuilding above the door – a #Statuary group known as #Amicus, apparently part of every #AMPbuilding, even into the 60s. Full title “Amicus certus in re incerta” (translation “”a friend in need is a friend indeed”). Here’s some others, first is 1912 from Oamaru NZ, the second from Brisbane, built the same year, 3rd is Perth, all that’s left of theirs, re-erected at Floreat Waters lake, last is Sydney, 1960, by Tom Bass.

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