Original post 16 January 2018; Buxtons, also known as the #TalmaBuilding, #SwanstonStreet, opposite the Town Hall, #WSLaw, 1885. Having just found the old sketch (thanks #NGVmelbourne) I can see the ornate verandah rebuilt in the 1980s isn’t half as ornate as the original 1880s one ! You can also see how it went from being … Continue reading Buxton/Talma building →

Original post 19 January 2020: Here’s the very nice but controversial renovated #marblesstairs at the #StateLibraryVictoria; it seems that because each step was worn unevenly, it didn’t meet the newish National Construction Standards, nor OH&S, and rather then replace they put new (different) marble over the old, with a new regulation higher balustrade too. Quite … Continue reading State Library stairs →

31 December 2024 Don’t know why exactly but I quite like this one - of all the boring or intrusive or cheap looking mid rise infill around town these days. Perhaps it’s the level of detail of the boxes, that is to say, ins and outs and colours, creating some variety. Also that the top … Continue reading Infill in Richmond →

4 January 2024 Some more mid rise infill, looking like a bit a Tokyo from this angle, behind Chapel Street, on Princes Close. Almost cute, but a bit blocky. Took me a minute to realise there’s two. The left one has a long side facing the park, and seems to be spacious enough. Plan is … Continue reading Medium density off Chapel Street →

Original post 13 January 2016: I quite like the severe rippled precast solidity of this new #apartmentblock near my house (which is actually called 'Bespoke' !). But with such deep set windows behind small 'balcony' openings on the south side, how dark must those lounge rooms be? Update 2024: it’s 81 Argyle Street, by @rothelowman, … Continue reading ‘Bespoke’ concrete in Fitzroy →

1 January 2024 Nice block of flats corner Armstrong and Danks Streets, Middle Park. The curve and simple lines mean it must be 1930s or later, though the diamond pane windows give it a more traditional air. I guess they were trying to be both modern and homey. Still seems to be one owner, all … Continue reading Middle park flats →

Original post 6 January 2021: The ‘Batman Automatic Telephone Exchange’ in #FlindersLane, near Market Street, which I photographed in 2013. I went specially because I hadn’t ever noticed it ! And it’s great. Would have been very avant garde if it had been built when it was first designed, possibly as early as 1948, but … Continue reading Telephone Exchange and bomb shelter →

13 January 2024: Elegant terrace in Bank Street South Melbourne. Since there’s no parapet, and cast iron verandahs were ubiquitous by the 1870s, this could be 1860s or earlier. The fence however looks much later perhaps 1880s, with those chunky posts. Bit rusty too. Lovely gardens. Same but slightly different- a pair of two storey … Continue reading South Melbourne terraces and cottages →

18 January 2025 A fine streetscape we might take for granted, but so very Melbourne - Flinders Lane between Swanston and Russell, lined with multi-storey warehouses from the 1910s to the 1930s, mostly a similar height and width, all built for the rag trade or light industry, and all pretty much intact. Yum. First the … Continue reading Flinders Lane rag trade →

12 January 2024: Some Art Deco niceness in Bank Street South Melbourne, half hidden behind a tree, so I almost didn’t notice it. A 1936 refacing of an 1880s pub, designed by F Morsby (info artdeco blog spot). Revamping pubs like this was pretty common in the 1920s and 1930s. Sold in 2019 and then … Continue reading Ex Town Hall Hotel , South Melbourne →