October 2025
Some nice but not extraordinary Art Deco flats in Creswick Street Hawthorn, on a sloping site looking to the river. The only notable style elements are the broad horizontal stripes versus the stepped facades with chamfered corners creating windows on the angle. Not heritage listed so no existing research, but checking Trove contemporary newspapers I think they were quite controversial!
In 1938 Hawthorn Council claimed the proposed flats did not meet their many by-laws, prompted by a petition from 1268 ratepayers, who thought flats were like slums (even though there were 20s flats opposite). The builder, Lancelot Vizard (Steve’s dad I think), saw them off in the Supreme Court, which struck down many of the by-laws to boot. They were built in 1939, and since they’re the only Deco flats in the street, pretty sure this is them.
Storey of Melbourne 