26 October 2024

No 40 and 42 #gertrudestreetfitzroy in 1983, having been abandoned for some time, with #stvincentshospitalmelbourne expecting to replace a whole bunch of houses (I think). Fortunately that didn’t happen, and they were restored instead for #socialhousing. Which they still are. Amazing, wouldn’t happen now. They even restored the cast iron verandah added in 1903 for Mr Bennett, dentist. 1st pic Yarra Libraries, 2nd pic is mine 2015. Pic 3 is the next ones along, c1970, @library_vic, then mine from 2015. Don’t they all look fine ! Oh just noticed the left Edwardian one was ‘restored’ with different posts and cast iron to the 1970 pic, but perhaps all the detail had been lost by then and they didn’t have the photo handy.

13 September 2015:

Some heritage listed loos, possibly the oldest in #melbourne (well, maybe). Some of the once ubiquitous outdoor lavatories at the backs of #terracehouses – these ones are part of #glassterrace, built 1854-6. The two #bluestone ones in the middle of were built in 1854 and are believed to be the oldest #terracehouses in Melbourne. Built by Hugh Glass hence the name, designed by David Ross in Regency style, just on the edge of the city in rapidly developing #goldrush Melbourne. Rather dilapidated by the late 70s, as in last pic is c1979, and St Vincent’s Hospital was planning to demolish them for extensions, but they were saved, restored, and became #publichousing instead! Which it still is I think. Can’t imagine that happening now. Drawing is from a 1980s poster via Graeme Butler.

• Uncategorized