5 July 2021 More #LostMelbourne, the rather chunky but impressive home of the #YWCAMelbourne, built in 1913, on Russell Street just down from Collins. Sadly demolished in the mid 70s, the big site eventually becoming the #GrandHyattMelbourne which opened in 1983. Designed by #NahumBarnet at the height of his long prolific career, when he was … Continue reading YWCA, Nahum Barnet →

Sad to report that the mutilation of Mary Immaculate in Ivanhoe has begun (photo Graeme Butler ) - and I do think full demolition would have been preferable. They’ve taken off the lady chapel with its great stained glass, then removing original features like the doors and glass screen behind the altar, then adding to … Continue reading Church desecration in Ivanhoe →

Another fine Moderne/ArtDeco house in Elwood Street Brighton, which looks a lot like the Armadale one I posted recently- and yes designer #IGAnderson recycled the ideas (probably it was him) - and apparently someone sued someone over it. I think the big glazed part on the left is a recentish addition. It’s a huge block … Continue reading Moderne mansion in Brighton →

3 July 2019, updated: Hadn’t really noticed this one before, in Elizabeth Street up from Collins, turns out to be a super narrow Victorian thing that was done over in early 1930 for Ackman’s Furniture, who’s main store was in Smith Street (behind that propped up Woolworths facade). See the A on top ? The … Continue reading Ackmans in Elizabeth Street, 1930 →

July 2026 Carnong Courts, 29-33 #RobeStreetStKilda, another example of grand terrace houses converted to flats. This was built as Raglan Terrace in 1858, designed by Crouch & Wilson. There were 5, and the southern end one was much wider (see MMBW map 1897). It was converted in 1926, designed by #AandKHenderson, in a sort of … Continue reading Carnong Courts, Robe Street →

Repost this day 2017: Former #MelbourneTeachersCollege, now part of #MelbourneUniversity, and called the #1888building (even though it was built 1889-91). By far the most OTT example of #queenanne plus #Elizabethan, or maybe it's #Jacobethan ? Architect #GBHAustin for the #PublicWorksDepartment. Impossible to take a photo of the whole building it's very wide, lots of trees … Continue reading Teachers College, 1888 →

I’m doing a bit of a survey of postwar churches, which by the early 60s became almost competitively look-at-me, so here’s a selection of the pointiest ones: Methodist, Katamatite, 1961, Muir & Shepherd; St Bernadette’s, East Ivanhoe, 1962, Robert Ellis; St Peter’s, Clayton, 1963, Ivan Anderson; the next four all by church specialist architect Keith … Continue reading Pointy Modern Churches →

3 July 2021 Sad to see the 1954 #APMBoilerHouse is now being demolished. It was added to the #HeritageRegister in 2017, due to its dynamic massing (especially the south side) and pioneering multi-storey all glass curtain wall - but thanks to a vocal local group that hated it, and a looming state election, Minister for … Continue reading APM Boiler House – demolition →

July 2021: Another bit of #LostMelbourne, which only lasted about 25 years, and was demolished over 80 years ago ! An Edwardian ‘chambers’ for doctors and dentists, built 1912, designed by Oakden & Ballantyne. It’s nice enough though a bit unresolved as they say, it gets plainer going up except then there’s an extra floor … Continue reading Lost Melbourne – but 80 years ago. →

Repost this day 2018- remember the pagoda ? And the slim box ? The campaign ? Which resulted in a review, handed down August last year (which I havnt read) - but I see that 3 weeks ago, the management change was announced, which the creation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Co (missed that) and … Continue reading Fed Square – new management →