31 October 2024 Not sure if this caused a stir in 2013 when I took the photos, but the sudden loss of two Edwardian shop houses in Burwood Road East Hawthorn, near the Tower Hotel looked bad. They were replaced by a small set of apartments completed in 2016 which sort of fit in, I … Continue reading Shock shop loss in Hawthorn →

30 October 2024 Two very similar buildings in Bourke Street between Elizabeth and Queen, usually obscured by trees. They’ve even got balconies in similar positions. The first one is more elegant, and was built 1928/9. No architect I can find but seems to have been built by and for a Pearson Rowe Smith & Co, … Continue reading Almost a pair, Bourke Street →

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 →