Original post 5 April 2020 Photos 20 September 2019 Another case of did you know ? that the lobby of the #HotelWindsor isn’t exactly what it seems - it’s an early 1980s version of what was there in the 1880s. The lobby was originally quite small, even grand hotels of the 1880s didn’t always have … Continue reading Windsor Hotel, recreation (not quite) →

Original post 6 April 2020 In the late 1970s-80s, after the idea of putting the Museum of Victoria here or building a world trade centre was rejected, all the buildings of the #QueenVictoriaMarket were restored, including rebuilding the verandahs on these 1887 shops on Victoria Street in 1988. Lovely. Note the original #victorianshopfronts were all … Continue reading Queen Vic Market verandah restoration, 1988 →

Original post 11 October 2019 Great Victorian corner shop in #ClarendonStreetSouthMelbourne, probably 1880s, possibly earlier, complete with #pairedpilasters and cute #castironbalconettes.

Original post 11 October 2019, updated 2024 Did you know there was once a tram to Port Melbourne? Well a cable tram anyway. Here’s a pic of a one on Beach Street, near Station Pier. The line opened in 1890 and ran from here, round up Bay Street then City Road, over the new Queensbridge, … Continue reading Vanished tram line →

Original post 5 April 2020 The #ConservatoriumOfMusic at #MelbourneUniversity was built in 1909-10, and has that great #Sezession style vegetal decoration seen only here and there in Melbs; we don’t have that much #ArtNouveau (except for the stained glass windows and tiles in every Edwardian house). This was designed by #BatesPeeblesAndSmart, who were also doing … Continue reading (Old) Conservatory of Music, Melbourne University →

Original post 5 April 2020 A handsome #Weleyan #bluestonechurch of uncertain date in #HydeStreetFootscray; it was started in 1869-71, then enlarged in 1888 by #CJPolain, when a vestry was added at the back, but did he do the front then as well ? The charming #polychromebrick detailing is very 1888, but the #foundationstone implies the … Continue reading Wesleyan Church, Footscray, 1871 (probably) →

Original post 3 April 2020 Good from any angle so here’s 4 ! #BHPbuilding (former), cnr Bourke&William, completed 1972, the apogee of refined modernism. Won the top prize at the Architects Institute Awards in 1973. Designed by #YunckenFreeman, lead architect #BarryPatten, who had travelled to Chicago to consult with #SkidmoreOwingsandMerrill, then completing both the #Hancocktower … Continue reading BHP building, Bourke Street, a modernist classic. →

Original post 4 April 2020 Down a narrow side street in #Collingwood there’s this ! Apparently built in 1862 it’s the oldest #distillery building in #Melbourne. Not sure what they distilled, whiskey perhaps ? It’s in #NorthumberlandStreet, off Wellington, and once went through to Victoria Parade. Think the silos next to it were part of … Continue reading Melbournes oldest distillery, Collingwood →

Original post 3 April 2020 I don’t hate but I dont love it, and it was better with the original sign. Built in 2003, designed by the late Richard Swansson (who was a year behind me at uni), documented by @bauarchitects.urbanists with hospo interiors by @grantamonarchitects. Kind of does stick out in the streetscape of … Continue reading Marque / Rydges Hotel, Fitzroy Street, 2003 →

Original post 2 April 2020, updated : Melville House, Collins Street, next to the Melbourne Club, was built as a pair of grand terraces in 1881, designed by Nathaniel Billing for Dr Ray. The ground levels were converted into shops in 1927, then in 1991 the rear wings were demolished for a tall postmodern office … Continue reading Melville House, Collins St, 1990 →