2 January 2026 The first block of Mitford Street St Kilda has a good collection of interwar flats, many with the names quite prominent. Ive found some details as follows : Oberon, 1933, Harry R Johnson, great brickwork; Rayson, probably late 1930s; Greenmoun(t?), probably early 1930s, I like the stylised Tudor effects; Marlo, 1930, a … Continue reading Mitford Street flats →

31 Dec 2025 Im ending the year on a good news story - that 50 modernist houses (and one precinct) scattered across Beaumaris, Black Rock and Brighton finally got heritage protection, confirmed in October. They range from lightweight 1950s to concrete block 1970s, some by well known architects, and some they don’t know who the … Continue reading Bayside modernist houses →

December 2025 This place on Beaconsfield Parade Middle Park was built as a house in c1910 in typical Edwardian style, then greatly altered when it was converted to flats in c1931. It was graded contributory to the heritage precinct, though you could have argued it was too altered. I saw it 2021 when somehow it … Continue reading Unnecessary compromise →

December 2025 Unusual set of flats on Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, which feature repeated bay windows over two/ three levels, a bit like Regency terrace houses - but probably more directly inspired by typical British semis of the 1910s and 20s (last pic) in turn inspired by the 1890s work of CF Voysey. This has … Continue reading Early flats on the beach →

27 December 2025 The old Housing Commission towers are rather massive ! This is the Racecourse Road Flemington Estate, the one the Tullamarine sound tube goes past, and consists of four ‘S’ blocks each with 200 flats. They’re quite widely spaced, with some grass and lots of trees and surface carparks. It’s not great but … Continue reading Flemington towers demolished soon →

Christmas Day 2025 Merry Christmas! Back in the 50s and 60s the corner of Bourke & Swanston was dominated by a giant (slightly scary) Santa with a finger beckoning you into the store behind - Foys, a pretty big Art Deco department store, which had a rooftop Christmas carnival for the kiddies too ! It … Continue reading Giant Santa →

December 2025 This post is about how successful built form controls along the Richmond Hill part of Bridge Road have been, in my opinion. The north side has seen the most development because of the many large ex-industrial sites. I’m starting with the least successful one though, near the crest, which is huge and black … Continue reading Bridge Road big blocks but ok. →

22 December 2025 This 7 level development for the corner of Rae Street and Alfred Street North Fitzroy just permitted is apparently the first to be approved under the ‘Great Design Fast Track’ pathway recently introduced by the State Government. This allows larger developments over 5 levels in any zone other than Neighbourhood to go … Continue reading Fast tracked in North Fitzroy →

December 2025 The ex-Commonwealth Bank in Bridge Road Richmond, a fine Art Deco design from 1939. It’s also a bit formal, with the steeped massing and elaborated central section. It’s got original wonderful zigzag Deco screens to each side door and above the doors, a real delight. It sits on its ownsome, I think the … Continue reading Art Deco bank, Bridge Road →

December 2025 Nice early Victorian bank on Bridge Road Richmond, and more than just a facade retained ! It was built in 1865, making it the oldest bank in Richmond, for the National Bank of Australasia. Designed by Lloyd Tayler, who did a lot of banks around this time in restrained classical modes, this one … Continue reading Classical Bank, Bridge Road →