9 September 2023
This prefabricated cast iron terrace pair that once stood at 35-37 Smith Street Fitzroy was probably manufactured in Glasgow in 1853. Many thousands of iron houses, large and small, stores shops and even churches were imported during the gold rush of the early 1850s, of which less than 30 remain. Usually they have corrugated iron walls, but these ones are flat iron, complete with some classical details (though some seem to have been timber). The design looks rather American to me, with the two doors right next to each other with steps up, and detailing that sticks out a lot. It was demolished in the 60s and replaced by a very boring brick industrial thing. All photos via @fitzroyhistorysociety; the first is c1949, the second 1958, looking very dilapidated.
Storey of Melbourne 