Repost 2018: #TowerEnvy, the totes amazing #IllawarraMansion, dominates a side street in #Toorak (cos all the land was carved off ages ago). #JamesBirtwhistle’s best work by far, a case of given the right client and budget … a #landboom mansion built for land boomer Charles Henry James, 41 when he commissioned this in 1889, 43 … Continue reading Illawarra mansion Toorak →

31 August 2019: This is my father’s house in Creswick Street #Hawthorn, and blow me down I’ve suddenly discovered who designed it and when ! #ArthurPurnell, in 1937. I always liked its quirkiness, me and my bothers helped convince my mother to buy it in 1988, and I thought it was 1920s all this time. … Continue reading Purnell in Hawthorn →

Majella, one of 6 remaining mansions on #StKildaRoad, and the only one on the east side, and the only 20thC one, built 1913. It was designed by #ArthurPeck, in a broadly Edwardian style, leaning to Arts&Crafts, with the interesting use of #terracotta walls and columns on the verandah, but otherwise a bit plain. Built for … Continue reading St Kilda Road mansion for windmill genius →

Repost 2017: #AscotLodge, #HoddleStreet, #EastMelbourne, 1930s but exact date and architect unknown. In the 2000s Scarfy used to sell footy scarves out the left ground floor window. Empty for a while, pending the horrifying redevelopment, which got a permit because this block didn’t actually have a heritage listing. 2021: It’s #StuartHallArchitect, 1940. And just seen … Continue reading Art Deco flats to be demolished →

Repost 2019: The really rather delightful #SheridanClose on #StKildaRoad, #BernardEvans, 1953. I was surprised when it appeared amongst the best of Melb in the 1999 guide book Melbourne Architecture, but now I’ve had a close look, it’s worthy, a well crafted design blending Modernism with Georgian, all in variegated cream brick. And an interesting layout … Continue reading Modern Georgian in St Kilda Road →

Repost 2018: The zipper pattern of 15 Collins Street, designed by #emigrearchitect #KurtPopper, 1970, now proposed to be #heritagelisted. Surprised to learn that this is a modification of the first version by #RoyGrounds, which had a random pattern and I think a better design except it wasnt set back. Built as #ownyourown #apartments back when … Continue reading Ugly ? 15 Collins Street, 19710 →

Looks like a pandemic shot but it’s a Sunday in 2018: View from the #CollinsStreetHill, framed by low old buildings and equally low modern infill podiums - so this view hasn’t changed much since 1939, except for the skyscraper shadows and the trees have grown a lot. 2021: added various old similar views.

Repost 2016, with lots of new old photos : The #salvationarmy's #citytemple in #bourkestreet. Designed by #OakdenAddisonandKemp (with #billingandson), it was actually built in 1890 for the #YMCA who found they couldn't keep up payments during the crash of the 1890s, so sold it to the salvos in 1895. The fabbo #castironverandah was lost some … Continue reading Salvation Army City Temple Bourke Street →

Repost 2029: Carmel. Rather fabulous ‘attic villa in the Spanish style’ in #TennysonStreet #Elwood, built 1929, architect Gordon Sutherland, for Bernard Harrison, whose wife’s name must’ve started with a J, cos there’s BJ in the #wroughtiron and in little medallions on the front #windowboxes too. Great garden, all pebbles and succulents, ready for future hot … Continue reading Spanish charmer, Elwood →

August 2018: Very inventive #queenanne / Flemish influenced #shoptop #facade in #BridgeRoadRichmond. The #parapet has most of its #knobs and #urns intact, which is unusual, as is the whole composition, with square brick #piers rising right up through the parapet, with a pattern of cream bricks, and there’s some #aestheticmovement sunflowers up there too. 2025, … Continue reading Bridge Road beauty →