28 November 2025 Had a look at the reopened Campbell Arcade / Degraves Street underpass, opened to great fanfare in 1955. Pleased to say it looks pretty much exactly the same, but somehow a bit brighter compared to pic 2 before…ah I see there’s down lights in front of the shops now. So the pink … Continue reading Degraves underpass / Campbell Arcade →

19 April 2025 O’Donnell Engineering, 1940, Batman Street, West Melbourne. Designed by Marsh & Michaelson, great signage, though I’m sure wasn’t all grey originally (@pretty_0rdinary has an old shot showing under the grey paint is lime green tiles !). Though the tower is a bit dull, I’m posting this because it actually retains the recommended … Continue reading Acceptable facadism →

13 April 2018: Some excellent Edwardian era shops on #ChapelStreetWindsor, with a completely untouched upper facade, and all that elaborate detail is in pretty good condition. There’s a range on influences, including Queen Anne classical bits, Art Nouveau-ish arch tops and especially that panel of floral ornament, Gothic capitals on the piers, all topped by … Continue reading Chapel Street Windsor →

11 April 2025 Sadly these striking modernist units on the rise of Barkers Road in Hawthorn just over the river were destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. Others altered me to news footage and the destruction is pretty clear. They’re often said to be Robin Boyd, but the Frederick Romberg book says they’re his design, … Continue reading Modernism up in flames →

5 April 2015: The Carlton Post Office in Elgin Street, one of the few 19thC #postoffice’s that still is one ! (Update, it’s now @thetorchvic indigenous arts program). Designed by #JHMarsden of the #publicworksdepartment, and built 1884. Lovely #renaissancerevival #palazzo form. Oddly framed by gum trees, planted in the street median. And upstairs is (was) … Continue reading Post Office classical →

7 April 2025 The most interesting bit of the #federalcourt building opposite flagstaff gardens are these little balconies that stick out, which I was told open off the judges chambers, to allow them to get out of their rooms to think in the fresh air. I also recall that it’s L shaped because they couldn’t … Continue reading Federal Court →

5 April 2025 The Russell Collins cafe/restaurant was in the basement of the T&G building in Collins Street, opening I think early 1940, and is a place I’d only ever heard about, but it was still going into the early 70s and plenty of people remember it fondly. I think it was an affordable luxury, … Continue reading Russell Collins Restaurant →

2 April 2025 An early survivor in Little Collins near Exhibition that I snapped in 2014. It was built as a pair of shops/houses in 1858, by builder John Bayne, who may have designed them - which would explain the unusual indeed unique use of long plain stone blocks as window surrounds, adding a touch … Continue reading Old shops and late night restaurant. →

25 March 2025 Love this crazy little building opposite the Queen Victoria Market, built in 1965 for Globe Tyres. Not sure if maybe one tall floor originally lit through those louvres ? I’m told that by the 90s it was restaurant with a curvy interior by Tom Kovaks, not there as far as I could … Continue reading Modernist tyres →

24 March 2025 This landmark in Johnston Street Fitzroy off Brunswick Street was built in 1887 as Dr Samuel Peacock’s house and surgery - and he certainly made a statement ! Not only three storeys, but topped by a mansard roof, complete with lookout, designed by Swedish born Olaff Nicholson. The Dr left for a … Continue reading Dr Peacocks house →