August 2021 The Adderley, a delightful turreted corner shop (and 1st floor residence) dominating what was once called Elwood Junction, where Broadway, Glenhuntly and Ormond Roads meet. It was built in 1921, and designed by #NahumBarnet (he got around !). Across the corner there was another striking building, the Maison Deluxe Dance Palais; these and … Continue reading Elwood Junction →

Repost this day 2019: Yet another fave - the 1888 #MercantileBank in #CollinsStreet, hidden by a #damntree, and sort of overshadowed by bigger neighbours. More visible in previous decades. Designed by #WilliamSalway with #WightAndLucas (who did a series of great branches for the #MelbourneSavingsBank). The bank didn’t last long, being one of the few to … Continue reading Mercantile Bank, Collins Street, 1888 →

Repost 2018 (but 2nd photo this year): Totally #bronzed; the #VictorianAutomobileChamberofCommerce, not sure possibly base early 60s, top 1970, bronze coloured windows (some kind of copper inclusion) and brown painted steel. The ONLY 50s/60s office block left on #StKildaRoad of any note, partly because the #VACC have never left, and partly because it’s the only … Continue reading VACC St Kilda Road →

3 August 2014 : The super stylish Beaurepaire Centre at #melbourneuniversity; used for training during the #melbourneolympics in 1956 but not officially opened until 1957. Designed by Eggleston MacDonald & Secomb, it features jaunty abstract patterned tiling by Leonard French, who also painted the futurist style mural over the rounded feature thing in the gym … Continue reading Beaurepaire Pool →

There’s quite a lot of Postmodern office buildings in St Kilda Road, built early 80s to late 90s, some I really like, others not so exciting. 3 August 2021 Can’t get more 80s #postmodern. 476 #StKildaRoad. Uber cool blue glass, baby blue framing and that polished granite with pearlescent bits that was so popular then. … Continue reading Postmodern St Kilda Road →

2 August 2018 : Fantastic OTT #highvictorian house in #MaryStreetWestStKilda. Architect unknown but could be #FrederickDeGaris who did similarly ornate things in the area. Or one of my fave other OTT architects like #WSLaw or #WilliamGeorgeWolf. 2021 update : heritage study says it’s 1896, so it might be by John Little, who did the similarly … Continue reading High Victorian, but late. →

Repost this day 2019: #WalterBurleyGriffin’s 1929-30 incinerator in #MooneePonds was a little underwhelming actually. Great #chimney, nice lines, but hardly any details of note - unlike the three Sydney ones, built a bit later, all far more exciting. It’s said that it was designed to blend with the surrounding housing, so no flourishes. Doesn’t help … Continue reading Griffin Incinerator, Essendon →

Repost this day 2016: I have vague memories of Melbournes Central first having been a 100 storey tower originally with a vast tent-like central atrium - and Ive finally found an image which is exactly what I remember (thanks to a hoarder on skyscrapercity) Originally called the Victoria Project, it was a 72 storey tower, … Continue reading Melbourne Central first proposal →

This is the main #gatehouse at #ScotchCollege, Hawthorn, on the corner of Glenferrie and Callantina, presiding over the entrance to the boarding houses. It was built in 1917 as part of the first set of buildings for the school in its move from East Melbourne out to a very large site here that was the … Continue reading Scotch College gatehouse →

This towered mansion on Toorak Road West called Goodrest was built in 1885, and designed by #WalterBuckhurst, who got the job cos he was the owners son (!). It’s got a lot going on in a relatively small area, being an all-out mansion on a smallish site, with a mansard on the tower and a … Continue reading Goodrest mansion, South Yarra. →