Original post 2 April 2020, updated : Melville House, Collins Street, next to the Melbourne Club, was built as a pair of grand terraces in 1881, designed by Nathaniel Billing for Dr Ray. The ground levels were converted into shops in 1927, then in 1991 the rear wings were demolished for a tall postmodern office … Continue reading Melville House, Collins St, 1990 →

Original post 3 April 2020 A couple of weeks ago the good councillors of the @cityofmelbourne approved the replacement of the 1965 #ReserveBankofAustralia with....something pretty much the same ! Im not really a fan of the #batesmart minimalist aesthetic, but the councillors loved it ! One said it was ‘top notch’ and ‘exceptional’, another ‘a … Continue reading Spot the difference ! Reserve Bank replacement on Collins Street. →

Original post 1 April 2020 This very curious thing in #QueensParade turns out to be a #substation for the tram network, built in 1955 when the #MelbourneandMetropolitanTramwaysBoard built what is now the #TramRoute86 (it was the last #cabletram line, closed in 1940, replaced by buses, which weren’t doing the job properly). It’s a funny building, … Continue reading Clifton Hill tram substation 1955 →

Original post 1 April 2020 Hadn’t noticed this one till the other day ! (Head in phone as always). The kindest thing I can say is that on a dull day it blends into the sky. Surprised to learn its a @fenderkatsalidis; the other side looks more interesting but this side is far more dominant; … Continue reading Another boring tower with a dull name. Melb Quarter East Tower, Docklands →

Original post 31 March 2020 Casa Milano in #GreyStreetStKilda is such a simple bit of Art Deco it ends up being almost Modernist. Apparently it’s the rebuilding of a two storey Victorian shop, once exactly the same as next door. Designed by #RayJohnsonArchitect, it was built in 1933. I always thought that the timber framed … Continue reading Casa Milano, Grey Street, 1933 →

Original post 12 October 2019 I’m no fan of steppy buildings trying to look like they’re not as big as they are, but ....I like this one in Market Street South Melbourne. It really is setback so from right across the street it’s looks like 3 storeys, not 6, and they’ve put in that odd … Continue reading Steppy sides in South Melbourne →

Original post 12 October 2019 Another steppy project in #SouthMelbourne, on the south side of Market St, where the 2008 guidelines mandated setbacks so that upper floors behind a line drawn from the opposite footpath. It’s actually a huge mountain, rising up from two street frontages, but successfully doesn’t look like 10 storey building. Unfortunately … Continue reading Art Deco Facadism in South Melbourne →

Original post 30 March 2020 This is a bit hidden in #AlbertPark, near #FitzroyStreetStKilda, and it’s very nice but I don’t really know what it’s about apart from what’s on the plaque. I’m guessing the VBA is the Victorian Bowls Association, and maybe the SMCCBC is the Sth Melb City (Council?) Bowls Club ? Update … Continue reading Cast iron drinking fountain trophy →

Repost 2020, new pics : Ridiculously elaborate shop-top in #GreyStreetStKilda; don’t know much except it’s clearly a #landboom period thing probably 1888-1891. At the time, the only shops in the area clustered around the corner with Fitzroy Street, dominated by the George Hotel, and this one tries to stand out with a chamfered corner on … Continue reading High Victorian shop top in St Kilda →

Original post 29 March 2020 I suppose the ‘reimagining’ of the #VictorianArtsCentre might be put off a bit now ? But the plans so far include effectively replacing this plaza with a new entry building, an idea that’s been around for ages, which will also mean losing the odd black glass #FairfaxLobby underneath, and some … Continue reading Big changes at the Arts Centre →