17 July 2012: Residents just been to VCAT over this - Yarra Council unfortunately not much help - indeed officer said 'yes', but Councillors overode them, but then council's presentation at VCAT was not great. Architects Kennedy Nolan. Longer view Other side of street Update 2023: they built it, though without extra bit on top. … Continue reading Too Big in Kerr Street Fitzroy. →

13 July 2023 Parliament House with the forecourt it might have had. The plan above is how the Parliament House area might have developed if Robert Hoddle had been more creative in 1837. Some background- in the 1890s, the newly formed Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) surveyed all of Melbourne as part of … Continue reading Melbourne as it might have been, in MMBW style →

9 July 2023: The Age has been running a series of sometimes anti-heritage stories, putting the argument that listing restricts development and therefore increases prices. Last Saturday’s article was about a proposed listing of 196 places in Spotswood, including 28 modest 20s war service houses. The photo shows a proud owner restoring one, then the … Continue reading Heritage listing versus higher density – or is it ? →

Original post 6 July 2017: Much more stylish than I remember, the sadly demolished #KodakFactory Administration Building, Coburg, 1964. Designed by #HarryNorris, more famous for his 30s Deco stuff, and 74 when he designed this (or at least his office did, though he didn't retire till 1966, then promptly died). It was #heritagelisted, but #Metricon … Continue reading Kodak, Coburg →

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. →