24 December 2020: My 1991 proposal to give the Arts Centre a new spire instead of finishing the then existing short one- by putting it on the concert hall instead. Something like the spire we were going to get back in the 60s. Can’t recall whether I thought some or all would’ve copper, but certainly … Continue reading Arts centre spire idea →

Repost 2016: Linacre's Terrace, 1857, #victoriaparade, #eastmelbourne, features an elegant arcaded porch / inset verandah, apparently made in #sandstone. (and a rather vestigial pediment). The heritage citation says it's important as an early terrace, though actually there are plenty more that are earlier, though I spose not by much. The earliest are nearby, like royal … Continue reading Early terrace in Victoria Parade →

Repost 2015: Another former #fitzroypub the Leicester Arms in Leicester Street off Brunswick, and pretty bloody intact too. Probably cos it had a short life and just became a house I suppose. Appears in newspapers in 1872, which looks right, but God knows why they built it since its hidden down a side street and … Continue reading Ex pub in Fitzroy →

Repost 2017: #MonashReligiousCentre, #MockridgeStahleandMitchell, 1968. An interdenominational chapel, so no crosses, with a lovely calm atmosphere inside (though there are some #stainedglasswindows). The outside very understated like many of the early Monash buildings, (except the Ming Wing), though can’t say I actually like it much, an odd shape, neither dome nor cylinder, and the low … Continue reading Monash Religious Centre →

Oct 2021 So nearly 10 years ago I got a letter in the age re the now dumped Tower Melbourne, cnr Bourke & Queen - railing against the idea that towers could go almost straight up, very close to boundaries, and nobody seemed to care what this did to the street scale, or neighbours. This … Continue reading I prefer podiums →

Repost 2014: Repost 2014: ENSOR 1875 #crouchandwilson for Joseph Levy. If you really made it in Melbourne’s early Jewish community, you might build a mansion here, just round the corner from the East Melb synagogue. It’s one of the #rowmansions on #victoriaparade #eastmelbourne all owned by #eyeandearhospital. Restored 1995. Ardee, 1881 by #crouchandwilson 6 years … Continue reading Row mini mansions, Victoria Parade →

16 October 2015: The stylish 1965 TAA HQ in Franklin Street has just been #heritagelisted. One of dozens of buildings in the city north heritage study, approved by the #CityofMelbourne last year, just approved by the Minister. First #postwarhighrise to be independently listed by the City, and first office tower that isn't severely #modernist to … Continue reading TAA, Franklin Street →

Original post 4 March 2018: The #PalaisTheatreMelbourne new enclosed #wintergarden / glazed lobby extension thing is finished - not awful, but sooo black, and oddly curved, the arches don’t extend out from the arched windows behind, so why didn’t they just make it straight ? and then you could see the tops of the arched … Continue reading Palais Theatre →

Repost 2019: Collins House, just finished, 464 Collins, #BatesSmart, on top of the partly preserved #Huddartparker building - I’m quite surprised to see that the stepping back then forward again, normally a no-no, works in this case- prob because it’s such a high gap, and effectively puts the tower above the National Bank next door … Continue reading Collins House →

15 October 2021 Great Old English (Mock Tudor) shops on Commercial Road near Chapel Street, recently sold for $9.8 mill to ‘Malaysian developers’ (I’m told it’s Buelah) - but they’re B graded in the chapel street #heritageprecinct, so pretty safe. Might replace the rear wings with 10 storeys, but the price reflects shop income I … Continue reading More Tudor shops →