January 2026
Highly decorated little industrial building in Cecil Place Prahran, which I later learned is David’s, a well regarded Chinese restaurant. Can’t find out any details but I’d guess mid 1930s, when Art Deco was still in its more decorative phase.
It’s part of a row of three interesting facades, the next one rather plainer, and probably c1940, and the next was built as or for the ‘Free Gardeners’ in 1888. They were one of the many Friendly Societies, set up as a kind of insurance club, providing medical or bereavement support and more for smallish fees. They probably merged with the United Friendly Societies, as the bigger sign says, whose main business by the early 20thC was as a cheaper chemist, which they called a Dispensary, dotted around Melbourne. It’s now a house with some rather huge rooms and a nice stair in the real estate pics from 2013.
The Rechabites Hall is still there just a few blocks north, but it’s much grander, with a little tower. The three buildings are included in the Chapel Street heritage overlay precinct. Pics from a few weeks ago.
Storey of Melbourne 