15 January 2021:
Hosie’s Hotel, in a shot I took in 2013. Always liked this one, and what’s not to like ? Jaunty 1950s shapes and colours. The architects #MussenMackayAndPotter weren’t doctrinaire modernists, but it was very modern for Melbourne in 1956; it was built in anticipation of the Olympic Games that year, opening 15 October, the games starting on the 22 Nov. It includes a huge artwork by #RichardBeck, an abstract rendition of beer glasses clinking ! Apparently it was more brightly coloured originally – it’s made of ‘ceramic panels’, perhaps big sheets of little tiles ? Not sure. Some poor ceramic that fades though. The bar was quite downmarket by the 70s, I never went in (the ground floor seemed to be one big bar), complete with topless barmaids. The upper floors were converted to offices in c1996, with a small addition where the two volumes join, and windows all changed from steel framed to aluminium but with extra colour. The mural was added to the #victorianheritageregister in 2006 – but not the building ! Which is finally getting definite individual protection as part of the #hoddlegridheritagereview. 2nd photo #peterwille, @library_vic, 4th is a @harperandcharlie print, last is streetview.
Storey of Melbourne 