May 2026

I don’t want to give this one too much air time, ‘cos I think it’s pretty ugly, but I feel I’ve got to justify that word : maybe it’s the combo of being so big in low surroundings, and being built right up the curve of the rushing traffic of Dandenong Road that makes it kind of aggressive, which is then exaggerated by the jagged zigzags. Then there’s the dark glass contrasted by what’s meant to be luxe gold, but mostly just looks like dark yellow. Mind you the right angle and light makes it look interesting.

It was completed in 2018, designed by Fender Katsilidis. Karl Fender says the idea was to create ‘urban sculpture’, but I wouldn’t want it sitting on my shelf. They or he clearly were responding to the curve and the traffic to create a sense of movement, maybe sweeping lines would have been better, but definitely the tower part should and could have been further set back. It’s really uncomfortable on the footpath, not only because you’re stuck between the traffic and a tower, but it was very windy. I expect the sun deck on the north side is windy too.

It’s called Vanguard 🙄and a large part of it is actually a Sebel serviced apartments / hotel, which gets middling reviews. There’s plenty of guff about it, which focuses on how wonderful it is that it’s in East Malvern.

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