May 2026

City Edge in South Melbourne, the soft edge of Brutalism, built in stages between 1971 and 74, designed by Jackson Walker.

It’s pretty amazing, townhouses and flats arranged along raised internal walkways, all with balconies or gardens, with two main blocks and a hidden bit of bush land park between. There’s lots of trees and planting round the edges too, the trees on the south side hiding the rather tall rear wall. A large part is suspended over the ground level parking, making for some odd views of the cars below. There’s access via various stairs, but also a lift and a ramp from the park.

It’s on the corner Kingsway and Park Street, very close to town, on a site reportedly cleared by the Housing Commission. Can’t find who the client was exactly, was it Commission, or handed over to a private developer ? The site included space for a kindergarten, not designed by Daryl though.

It’s a very early project of Daryl Jackson and Evan Walker; Jackson had just finished the seminal Harold Holt Pool in 1969. He had spent time working in England and the US in the early 60s, so plenty of plenty influences such as the Alexander Road flats on London (pic 3), where there were also many steppy brick projects. It was hailed at the time, winning the RAIA Bronze Medal in 1976, Daryl won a lot of awards actually.

The park and the lower block.

It’s all very tightly held, a wide range of people drawn to its special character – an Assemble article from 2017 noted at least one resident there since it was built.

However I found it a bit unsettling in parts, walking up some hidden stairs to a relatively narrow walkway, past many front doors, and hovering above all the parked cars. They’re lettered addresses, hate to be delivering something.

But once you’re in your flat, it’s all north light and balconies and plants. And split levels.

Back in 2017, the residents were fighting a 9 (or 6?) level proposal to replace the crappy shop thing right on the corner. It was meant to be the last stage of the original project but was just sold off. Last pic is what I think the proposal is.

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