27 December 2024 Came across these photos and at first thought must be the UK somewhere, but no that’s the Showgrounds, and it’s the quite large Ascot Vale Housing Commission estate in 1956. It’s got about 65 long rectangular 3 storey walkups, plus some smaller ones. Shows how they were determined not to have any … Continue reading Ascot Vale Housing Commission →

24 December 2024 The rather grandly named Higginbotham Hall sits a bit on its ownsome in Bay Street Brighton near New Street. Turns out it was built as the Brighton Free Library in 1887, designed by Treeby & Cutler (it’s missing some urns). Phillip Treeby was a local, best known for the long demolished madly … Continue reading Higginbotham →

23 December 2019: No doubting what this is - only detail needed is that it’s the Anglican #ChineseMissionChurch of the Epiphany. It was designed by Nahum Barnet in a rather plain red brick style but with appropriate Gothic details, and built in 1902. Apparently the characters spell out ‘Worshipping Hall’. It had a rather complex … Continue reading Chinese Mission Church →

21 December 2024 Such a huge front they built for the #prahranmarket in 1891. Great #queenannestyle design by Charles D’ebro. But why isn’t there a grand old market behind it ? Turns out the market started here in 1881 in a series of open sheds like the Queen Vic, then they added the overly large … Continue reading Prahran Market →

19 December 2024 Ok I’m going to say it, I’m now going to accept that there will be apartment towers just about everywhere. And large dense developments too. And prices will go up again. This is because Melbourne has and will grow in population by about 100,000/year. Last time I looked closely it was about … Continue reading Towers everywhere →

20 December 2024 The famous Dogs Bar in St Kilda was built as Colombo Court flats in 1927, in a nice sort of Spanish / Mediterranean style (sketch from newspapers, architect unknown). It was completely reimagined by restaurant/bar pioneer Donlevy Fitzpatrick as a European style wine bar, using newly reformed liquor licensing, opening in 1989, … Continue reading Dogs Bar St Kilda →

20 December 2021 (photos a mix of real estate and mine from 2016): I am very pleased to report that the quite extraordinary 1972 Seccull House in North Rd Brighton by Guilford Bell has been added to the #victorianheritageregister. The owner opposed, it went to appeal, but they didn’t win so it’s listed now. Why … Continue reading Seccull House, Brighton →

19 December 2024 Latest super luxury apartment tower on St Kilda Road down the bottom end rather oddly bulges outwards from its base, which is also set a bit below street level. It’s by @rothelowman and reminds me of a number of (unbuilt) projects by Zaha Hadid (last 3 pics); they’ve channeled her style before. … Continue reading Shiny luxury living, with cars →

19 December 2024 I do love a bit of 80s mirror glass, don’t ask me why, used to hate them. This one on St Kilda Road just up from the junction has seen better days, a bit streaked and looks abandoned. It’s got a large overgrown garden obscuring the zig zag inset ground level, and … Continue reading Mirror glass Pomo →

18 December 2024 A scoot around Charnwood Road/ Grove /Crescent in St Kilda, east of St Kilda Road - first, a wild Spanishy house from 1928, designed by Leslie Reed (who later did some Tudor shops in Toorak), right next door a more restrained Mediterranean style house from 1927 by Lewis Levy. Then a great … Continue reading Charnwood precinct, St Kilda →