16 August 2024
So much glass ! St Anne’s, on the corner of Toorak Road and Park Street, South Yarra, was built in 1938, and designed by the really very creative J Esmond Dorney. At first glance it looks just square on the corner, with a wrap around balcony, but it steps in and out, has curious curved insets on the other sides, and takes off into a sculpted tower thing facing Fawkner Park, a bit obscured by trees. And the entry stair goes up to the flat roof, open to everyone I guess. Very modern but very quirky. Apart from the tram noise, I’ve always thought, wow, nice place to live. Photos July 2021.
23 February 2025
Another Tudorish block of flats, St Margaret’s, on the corner of Park Street and Toorak Road West, with that striking corner turret, but otherwise pretty plain. The first pic via Facebook is from 1979, complete with W Class tram, then my pics from 2025 (and 2021 when the bushes were taller).
The sketch was published when it was announced in 1938; designed by Scarborough Robertson & Love, it was to have ‘inter-house telephone systems, radio points, and built-in fridges’. Recent real estate shots show the interiors pretty plain, though the bedroom in the turret is pretty fun.
Storey of Melbourne 