30 October 2024 Even though one is so much bigger than the other, and they’re very close, at ground level you don’t get the feeling of the new dominating the old. This might be partly because of all the trees you don’t get to see them together in a long view, and partly because there’s … Continue reading Wesley Church redevelopment →

28 October 2024 The narrowest lane in the city ? Though really just a passageway. It runs off a lane off Little Bourke through to Lonsdale. Both the lane and passage are called Corrs Lane, and are a result of subdivisions of the original lots sold in 1837 that fronted both main and little streets; … Continue reading Skinniest laneway ? →

27 October 2024 The (in)famous ‘cheesgrater’ in Fitzroy, corner of Argyle & Young Streets in 2016. I quite like it, though looks a bit cheaply done, but the rest of the huge complex is pretty banal, and 8 levels on the northeast corner still looks too big (pic 3). The whole 1/2 block development was … Continue reading Big Cheese in Fitzroy →

27 October 2024 Unusual elevated terraces on Charles Street, Fitzroy just up from Smith Street. One stair for both ! Steep stair access like this common in Sydney but not here. Part of a set of 6, c1870. Just why they’re so high I don’t know, though almost keeping the level of the first one … Continue reading Above the fray →

25 October 2024 Cute little mid century modern shop/office in Clarendon Street, South Melbourne; a ‘curtain wall’ made out of timber framing, with painted glass panels in a fetching mid blue. Thanks to @davidnhelms for alerting me to more detail, and so found a photo from the early 60s ! Showing it was all glass … Continue reading Blue for Blau in South Melbourne →

24 October 2024 Here’s a new thing I quite like ! Called ‘Mermac’, it’s in Wimmera Place St Kilda, and sort of leans out towards the angled view of the water. Lots of nice curves, especially to the side, where it’s on a lane, lots of Neo-Brutalist wood patterned concrete, pale bricks, front garden, planted … Continue reading Something new and nice in St Kilda →

23 October 2024 Wonky big old terrace house in Danks Street, Albert Park; one of a pair that are unusually grand, with Corinthian columns holding up a top level platform no doubt for the views, with brick parapet, and a coved timber lined ceiling below, and at first floor Palladian window that from inside is … Continue reading Worse for wear →

23 October 2024 Tucked away a bit at Melbourne University near the Grattan Street gates is this - the Vice Chancellor’s house. A plain Georgian style, but with a castley tower / bay element in rather amazing brickwork. Completed in 1938, it was designed by well known commercial #architect #harrynorris, who also did the occasional … Continue reading Vice Chancellor gets a house →

22 October 2016: The #LyricTheatreFitzroy in its last days hosting the #roneempty show. The building opened sat 4 Nov. 1911, making it the oldest intact purpose built cinema interior left in Melbourne I think. These firstgen cinemas were simple flat floored halls, to pack them in, often on benches (2500 in this case) to watch … Continue reading Lyric Theatre, doomed →

21 October 2024 Are these Melbourne’s narrowest terrace houses ? This pair is in the very short Henry Street, nos 9 + 11, near Johnston & Nicholson, and they’re just 3.2m wide internally. They’re around the corner from where I used to live and I took pic 2 in 2013; obviously abandoned for ages. Then … Continue reading Pretty small terraces →