29 December 2024 I posted about the grand and rather massive Tea House on Clarendon Street Southbank on this day 6 years ago because Heritage Victoria actually refused a permit for a hotel tower plonked right next to it (last 2 pics). New developers commissioned a new design in 2022 from the internationally famous @snohetta … Continue reading Tea House tower →

28 December 2018 updated 2024: All that’s left of the 1927 TB Clinic in #LittleLonsdaleStreet near Queen- I meant to get photos before demolition but too late ! Don’t know why this bit still there, are they going to leave it as a ruin in the plaza ? Don’t think that’s a good idea. It … Continue reading TB Clinic, Little Lonsdale →

27 December 2024 A bit of mid century mundane, the Unitarian Peace Memorial Church in Grey Street East Melbourne; built in 1965 it was designed by Erik & Grethe Kolle, 1st pic and info @chrismbr. I’m starting with that in order to work backwards - firstly, it looked better with the slate roofing, and from … Continue reading Unitarian Church East Melbourne →

27 December 2024 Came across these photos and at first thought must be the UK somewhere, but no that’s the Showgrounds, and it’s the quite large Ascot Vale Housing Commission estate in 1956. It’s got about 65 long rectangular 3 storey walkups, plus some smaller ones. Shows how they were determined not to have any … Continue reading Ascot Vale Housing Commission →

24 December 2024 The rather grandly named Higginbotham Hall sits a bit on its ownsome in Bay Street Brighton near New Street. Turns out it was built as the Brighton Free Library in 1887, designed by Treeby & Cutler (it’s missing some urns). Phillip Treeby was a local, best known for the long demolished madly … Continue reading Higginbotham →

23 December 2019: No doubting what this is - only detail needed is that it’s the Anglican #ChineseMissionChurch of the Epiphany. It was designed by Nahum Barnet in a rather plain red brick style but with appropriate Gothic details, and built in 1902. Apparently the characters spell out ‘Worshipping Hall’. It had a rather complex … Continue reading Chinese Mission Church →

21 December 2024 Such a huge front they built for the #prahranmarket in 1891. Great #queenannestyle design by Charles D’ebro. But why isn’t there a grand old market behind it ? Turns out the market started here in 1881 in a series of open sheds like the Queen Vic, then they added the overly large … Continue reading Prahran Market →

19 December 2024 Ok I’m going to say it, I’m now going to accept that there will be apartment towers just about everywhere. And large dense developments too. And prices will go up again. This is because Melbourne has and will grow in population by about 100,000/year. Last time I looked closely it was about … Continue reading Towers everywhere →

20 December 2024 The famous Dogs Bar in St Kilda was built as Colombo Court flats in 1927, in a nice sort of Spanish / Mediterranean style (sketch from newspapers, architect unknown). It was completely reimagined by restaurant/bar pioneer Donlevy Fitzpatrick as a European style wine bar, using newly reformed liquor licensing, opening in 1989, … Continue reading Dogs Bar St Kilda →

20 December 2021 (photos a mix of real estate and mine from 2016): I am very pleased to report that the quite extraordinary 1972 Seccull House in North Rd Brighton by Guilford Bell has been added to the #victorianheritageregister. The owner opposed, it went to appeal, but they didn’t win so it’s listed now. Why … Continue reading Seccull House, Brighton →