16 August 2023:

You might have seen this in the news – it’s Rotherwood, Riversdale Road, Camberwell, just up from the junction. Built in 1939, it was a bit upmarket, with just 9 flats, a front garden (with a huge pin oak), and tennis court to the rear. It was built by builder Eric Humphries, father of Barry Humphries, but as an investment, which stayed in the family until 2021. It was bought by a developer who has recently got a permit to replace it with a development taking up more of the block (not sure of the fate of the tree). Though not very architecturally distinguished, it’s very nice, and with the Humphries link should have been heritage listed but Boroondara planners say it’s not quite significant enough, even if you add two other nice same date blocks around it. There’s a petition to try and save it ‘Stop demolition of Rotherwood’ – they need all the help they can get, fighting uphill from here ! All images from real estate sites.

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