Original post 18 October 2019 The fabulous vaguely #ArtNouveau but really Arts & Crafts plus Romanesque plus #CalBung pergola called the Biltmore in #EildonRoadStKilda, 1923, no architect known, just Dunlop Home Builders. They’re all 2 beds with a main one and a small one at the back, which opens off the kitchen so I assume … Continue reading The Biltmore, St Kilda →

Original post 4 March 2020 Always a fave, love the way it thrusts out of the low scale #shoppingstrip of #queensparadecliftonhill, right were there’s a bend, such a landmark - and it’s all about the roof, the walls are actually pretty plain. It was quite a statement by the #LondonCharteredBank in #1889. Almost all banks … Continue reading Queen Anne Bank with tower, Clifton Hill, 1889 →

Original post 8 October 2019 Photos 13 August 2019 Always wondered what #Denyers in #SwanstonStreet was - they made surgical instruments! And built this, designed by #TompkinsAndTompkins, in 1914 - and it was engineered by #SirJohnMonash’s Monier Pipe co in #reinforcedconcrete, and the UniMel Archives have construction photos ! And there’s a rooftop bar, of … Continue reading Denyer’s, Swanston Street, 1914 →

Original post 3 March 2020 Repost from 2020: some Lost Melbourne- The exotically named Florida, #StKildaRoad, corner High Street, demolished way back in 1982 (when fortunately it was photographed by Graeme Butler). It was built in 1916, during the first wave of flats in Melbourne, from just before WW1. It was designed by #NahumBarnet, towards … Continue reading Florida, St Kilda Road, 1916 →

Original post 3 March 2020 A fave OTT #highvictorian bank, in Queens Parade, #CliftonHill, for the #MelbourneSavingsBank, one of a series by #WightAndLucas, 1890-91, this and Bridge Road and Burwood Rd Hawthorn quite intact, a pile of mannerist details, unlike most 19thC banks which were very restrained. Can’t see the detail properly with the graffiti, … Continue reading Another Wight & Lucas Bank. →

Original post 19 October 2019 I think of this as the #Deadletteroffice, which it was built as in 1890, as well as post office savings, but has been many things, including offices for Federal Govt MPs in the 1900s and other govt bureaus, hence the #enemydebts sign. Designed by #PeterKerr, for the #PublicWorksDepartment, who also … Continue reading Piled up, tall and narrow, Little Bourke Money Order Office →

Dandenong Road Original post 2 March 2020 Can you spot the difference? The one on the left is a thicker new one, with what looks like a plastic base and relocated curly bits, doesn’t look hugely different but irl it does, it’s a bit clunky. The delightful curly #trampoles in #DandenongRoad were put up in … Continue reading Trampoles →

Original post 20 October 2019 There just isn’t an angle that makes this look good - maybe from 20 floors up ? It’s massive, solid, sharp and shiny, quite at odds with everything around. Makes the demolished 1965 #NationalMutualPlaza look elegant. It’s an arch, but you have to stand right in front to see through. … Continue reading It’s called the Collins Arch – but I prefer Pantscraper. →

Original post 23 October 2019 Giant mechanical building eating dragon thing ! Dusty but. I drew up that turret in like 1987, my first architecture job at #BellPuddy. Repost 19 October 2019: Demolition of the #NovotelStKilda nearly complete, revealing the cheap precast construction. It replaced the much-missed St Moritz ice skating venue, built as a … Continue reading St Kilda Novotel demolition →

Original post 1 March 2020 Always a bit fascinated by Kelvin Mansions at 325 #DandenongRoad, I knew it was early but not much else - it looks very Edwardian, but it’s actually 1922, and even more surprising the top floor is 1932 ! A #depressionera addition to increase the revenue. It was built by bookmaker … Continue reading Kelvin Mansions, Dandenong Road, 1922. →