8 July 2023 Did a bit of research on Gog and Magog, the figures installed in the Royal Arcade in 1892. Firstly, they come from a medieval tale about the founding of Britain, and there’s a famous pair in the Guildhall in London, on which ours are based. Comparing them, I think hours are better … Continue reading Gog and Magog →

29 June 2023: A very short lived long lost Melbourne landmark. The Oriental Bank on the south east corner of Collins & Queen was built in 1882, ‘a pleasing contrast to the more ornate architecture’ of other banks in Collins Street, with simple lines and blank walls, designed by FM White. But bad loans by … Continue reading Oriental Bank, Collins Steet →

Original post 19 June 2014: Usually hidden by the #damntrees, the wonderful inventive #redbrick #RomanesqueRevival / #QueenAnnestyle #shoptop pair was built in 1901, designed by #WilliamSalway. Love the #bracketedpiers forming the keystones of the #arches below, and the growling lions between.It was the location of the (Italian) Society restaurant from 1932, the first of a … Continue reading Society Restaurant →

4 June 2023 Old terrace house in my street that’s looked abandoned for the 6 years I’ve been here (though someone is occupying a few rooms upstairs), now for sale. Hasn’t been touched since the 50s or 60s ? Most exciting thing is all the linoleum- in every room ! Most looks from then, but … Continue reading Untouched for maybe 50 years →

6 June 2023 The rather grand Protestant Hall, built 1882, once stood in Exhibition Street. Designed by WH Ellerker, who was co-designer of the even more elaborate and still there #CityofMelbourneBuilding in Elizabeth Street. This hall replaced an 1840s original, and was itself replaced by Centenary Hall in 1935, still there and nicely restored recently … Continue reading Protestant Hall →

31 May 2023 Here’s a very interesting vision of ‘future Melbourne’ - from 1929. The first comprehensive plan for Melbourne, drawn up by the first short lived Town Planning Commission, almost none implemented due to the Great Depression. Amongst the radial boulevards and new tram lines, they proposed an underground train line across the north … Continue reading City Loop plan first mooted a long time ago. →

25 May 2023 The St Kilda ‘RSL’ is rather grand and quite unique amongst WW1 memorials. It wasn’t actually built by the RSL, but by the St Kilda Army and Navy Club, who decided to build a complex that would provide services and fund itself, with shops, a hall for dances etc behind, club rooms … Continue reading St Kilda Army and Navy Club and Memorial Hall →

28 May 2023 Boyd Community Centre, City Road Southbank, a great State School built 1885, in Tudor style when almost all others were Gothic. Now rather lost amongst the towers, but looks great. Designed by chief schools architect Henry Bastow, or possibly by an underling. A reminder that the area had a residential population in … Continue reading Boyd School, Southbank →

23 May 2023 Adass Israel Orthodox Synagogue, Glen Eira Avenue, Ripponlea. The congregation was formed by mostly Germans / Austrians in 1940, moving here in 1950, then commissioning Vienna-born Ernest Fooks to build this, completed 1965. Not the most exciting design, but nice brickwork in the projecting house-shaped bit, behind which I’m pretty sure is … Continue reading Adass Isreal synagogue →

25 May 2023 I had this print above my desk when I was a teenager - I guess mum got it for me, and where my heritage interest started ! It’s by Samuel Calvert, ‘a birds eye view’, but i think entirely done from the ground, not a balloon. You can download a very large … Continue reading Melbourne birds eye view 1880 – as it was and as it might have been. →