Original post 3 March 2020 Repost from 2020: some Lost Melbourne- The exotically named Florida, #StKildaRoad, corner High Street, demolished way back in 1982 (when fortunately it was photographed by Graeme Butler). It was built in 1916, during the first wave of flats in Melbourne, from just before WW1. It was designed by #NahumBarnet, towards … Continue reading Florida, St Kilda Road, 1916 →

Original post 3 March 2020 A fave OTT #highvictorian bank, in Queens Parade, #CliftonHill, for the #MelbourneSavingsBank, one of a series by #WightAndLucas, 1890-91, this and Bridge Road and Burwood Rd Hawthorn quite intact, a pile of mannerist details, unlike most 19thC banks which were very restrained. Can’t see the detail properly with the graffiti, … Continue reading Another Wight & Lucas Bank. →

Original post 19 October 2019 I think of this as the #Deadletteroffice, which it was built as in 1890, as well as post office savings, but has been many things, including offices for Federal Govt MPs in the 1900s and other govt bureaus, hence the #enemydebts sign. Designed by #PeterKerr, for the #PublicWorksDepartment, who also … Continue reading Piled up, tall and narrow, Little Bourke Money Order Office →

Dandenong Road Original post 2 March 2020 Can you spot the difference? The one on the left is a thicker new one, with what looks like a plastic base and relocated curly bits, doesn’t look hugely different but irl it does, it’s a bit clunky. The delightful curly #trampoles in #DandenongRoad were put up in … Continue reading Trampoles →

Original post 20 October 2019 There just isn’t an angle that makes this look good - maybe from 20 floors up ? It’s massive, solid, sharp and shiny, quite at odds with everything around. Makes the demolished 1965 #NationalMutualPlaza look elegant. It’s an arch, but you have to stand right in front to see through. … Continue reading It’s called the Collins Arch – but I prefer Pantscraper. →

Original post 23 October 2019 Giant mechanical building eating dragon thing ! Dusty but. I drew up that turret in like 1987, my first architecture job at #BellPuddy. Repost 19 October 2019: Demolition of the #NovotelStKilda nearly complete, revealing the cheap precast construction. It replaced the much-missed St Moritz ice skating venue, built as a … Continue reading St Kilda Novotel demolition →

Original post 1 March 2020 Always a bit fascinated by Kelvin Mansions at 325 #DandenongRoad, I knew it was early but not much else - it looks very Edwardian, but it’s actually 1922, and even more surprising the top floor is 1932 ! A #depressionera addition to increase the revenue. It was built by bookmaker … Continue reading Kelvin Mansions, Dandenong Road, 1922. →

Original post 29 February 2020 Some #LostMelbourne - in 1901 the ornamental lake in the #TreasuryGardens was redesigned by #WilliamGuilfoyle as a #JapaneseGarden, with a thatched roof ‘tea house’ and a bamboo bridge (neither of which look particularly Japanese). Overgrown by the 1940s it was all swept away (except the lake) in 1948 for a … Continue reading Treasury Gardens →

Original post 29 February 2020 Photos 3 December 2019 The London Hotel in #ElizabethStreet was built in 1911, and was designed by the rather prolific #NahumBarnet; even though it’s a jaunty Edwardian with Flemish gables and interesting cast iron, I’ve never really taken much notice, maybe cos it’s a bit dominated, and all one colour. … Continue reading London Hotel, Nahum Barnet, 1911 →

Original post 22 October 2019 Here’s a shining example of the kind of thing permitted during the 10ish year period when almost anything was allowed in the CBD. Only seen this one in #LittleLonsdale near Queen from a distance, wasn’t sure what it was - it’s an Ibis hotel, finished last year, and has given … Continue reading When there are no controls, this happens →