#PatersonsStore, #SmithStreetFitzroy, quite a landmark. Built 1912 as a big furniture store when Smith Street was at its height as completion to the city, especially for furniture. Architect #AHFisher. Foy & Gibson’s huge emporium was just across the street. The interior was full of #pressedmetalceilings but sadly didn’t keep any, though they did keep the … Continue reading Patersons Furniture, Smith Street, 1912. →

24 June 2019 This little place on a pointy corner at the end of the #BridportStreet shops in #AlbertPark was recently saved from demolition but maybe not for long ! Its a particularly charming 1934 #ArtsAndCrafts style collection of #roughcast planes and volumes with odd angles forming a consulting room with flats above, created by … Continue reading Save 1 Victoria Avenue Albert Park ! →

Rather nice stair for an office building ! No 9 Queen Street is a four storey block built in 1886, designed by #FMWhite for Wilhelm Prell, who went on together to build 4 more between Flinders and Collins, 3 of them 9 storey #VictorianSkyscrapers, this is the only one left. Later known as the #FeltonBuilding, … Continue reading Felton Building stair, 1886 →

Always worth another shot, the great 1889 #MartinAndPleasance building on the #CollinsStreet hill, they were Melbs premier purveyors of #homeopathic remedies, back when that was big business. Designed by #FMWhite, who was in his late 60s by then, so maybe really the work of his son, Alfred. So much layering.....the tiles had been painted over … Continue reading Martin & Pleasance, 1889, FM White, layered facade and improbable staircase. →

I’d passed a million times, but never stopped to look - a huge #mosaic by #NapierWaller in the lobby of a building in William Street, near Flinders. Created in 1967 (and kept when the building was totally renovated in 2007), this seems to be his last big work before he died in 1972. It was … Continue reading Prometheus, Napier Waller, 1967. →

New pics here’s what I said 6 months ago: The fabulous Windermere, #EsmondDorney’s best #ArtDecoflats (of many he did in #Elwood), from 1936. With his signature semi-circular ended balconies, flying in opposite directions, and contrasting verticals, and a great delicate #leadlight window (bathroom ?), also matching ones inside (real estate pics). This was one of … Continue reading Some Art Deco goodness – Windermere, Elwood, J Esmond Dorney, 1936 →

One of my #leastfavouritebuildings, from most unflattering angle. The quite ridiculously skinny #PhoenixMelbourne apartments by @fenderkatsalidis on #FlindersStreet, with that crazy blue wiggle partly disguising a very sheer #concretewall (the wiggle is by graphic designer Garry Emery). When first proposed (at 40 storeys !) in the late 2000s I thought it would be financially unfeasible, … Continue reading Town planning fail – the Phoenix apartments Flinders Street, 2014 →

April 2029 #GoodFriday is a great day to see churches - so glad I got to #StBernardsCoburg, hadn’t found any photos of the inside of this 1955 #semicircular church, and it’s great ! Tall, sweeping, simple yet grand, no complicated stained glass but lovely light, and all original including the #pews and the #linoleum floor … Continue reading St Bernards, Coburg, 1955 →

Easter 2019: #StLukesLalor, 1975 by my fave #emigrearchitect #ErminSmrekar; very Wrightian, but madly geometrical. A pinwheel plan with looong triangular roof cantilevers (sadly now propped with annoying steel posts) with inset drains into planters. Very complicated 3D roof, seemingly held apart by the glass. The two opposing roofs at the apex might represent hands in … Continue reading St Luke’s, Lalor, just fantastic. →

#HolyNameReservoir, 1964, very interesting; impressive but not dominating, in fact nice garden front (ex fountain) and low embracing porch in copper; the very #Ronchamp #belltower was added later maybe so people could see it from a distance. Designed by #JPSaraty, can’t find any info, presume he was Czech or Hungarian. The mad wire frame enamel … Continue reading Holy Name, Reservoir, 1964. It’s a bit fishy. →