11 March 2024 Normamby Chambers, Little Collins Street, built in 1883, designed by Reed Henderson & Smart (so possibly Joseph Reed himself) for politician, lawyer and speculator MH Davies. Not terribly exciting, though the liberal use of incised and stylised decoration on flat surfaces is unusual (and low cost), and it makes a great termination … Continue reading Normanby Chambers →

11 March 2024 This rather grand house on the corner of Simpson and George Street East Melbourne was built in 1878, for timber merchant David Blair. It has a spacious two level arcaded verandah, looking rather Italian. It had hand painted ceilings and tiled floors, but from 1900 it was put to use as Mena … Continue reading East Melbourne mansion →

9 March 2019 An example of good taste 1930s Georgian in Powlett Street #EastMelbourne. ‘Regents Gate’ was built in 1937, and designed by #BernardEvans (20 years later Lord Mayor of Melbourne). Great little development of studio apartments, all looking onto the lovely central garden, curving together at the rear. Wouldn’t have had kitchen in the … Continue reading Studio flats, Georgian style →

10 March 2019: Every time I look at the #KingStreetBridge I wonder which bit collapsed ? And what do the repairs look like ? No one died or was hurt, so it was apparently taken as just really embarrassing, because it was such a big deal in the 1950s, cost a lot, talked about for … Continue reading King Street Bridge →

8 March 2024 The fantastical St Kilda Baths, a collection of exotic domes hovering in the sea. Id seen images of this ages ago, the first time in Maggie Fooks dreamy 1987 short film Pleasure Domes, but not much since, and these are all I could find. It was one of many sea baths built … Continue reading St Kilda Sea Baths →

6 March 2024 The surprisingly atmospheric entry to the offices above the ex stock exchange in Collins Street (part of the Gothic Bank) created by @more_kta. I say surprising@because it’s not what you’d expect for an office entry, though perhaps more used to get to @reine.larue. This replaced a 1992 entry created by @lovellchen that … Continue reading Gothic Bank complex refresh →

6 March 2024: This rather mad thing was almost built on Southbank where the Exhibition Centre is - back in the late 80s the idea was to extend the old Exhibition Building, and relocate the Museum to here. The design, by Daryl Jackson, seen here in photos of the model held by @museumsvictoria from 1991, … Continue reading Unbuilt Museum →

5 March 2017: Plenty of these Edwardian villas in the leafy suburbs, but this one is in Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, and has some unusual details - namely the bright greentile #dado, and the verandah trim which is not only fully Art Nouveau, with little hearts/tulips, but in cast iron! Very rare. Other details are typically … Continue reading Unusual Edwardian →

5 March 2019: Pretty sure this is an original #CastIronVerandah rather than a later reproduction - the bases now lost under extended pavement, and basically it just looks too old and wonky to date from the 80s when the CofM funded reproductions. Interesting that A. it survived the wholesale removals of the 50s, and B. … Continue reading Original verandah, Carlton →

3 March 2024 A friend loaned me this book from 1995 that’s just photos and interviews of people living in the CBD, back when it was quite unusual. There were only about 1000, mostly in the two 60s high rise, and in cheap accommodation in ex hotels, but also the pioneers who were more or … Continue reading Living in the CBD, 1995 →