Melbourne Heritage Watch has moved to a new permanent home.
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You can visit us at www.melbourneheritage.com
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Koombalah - neglected St Kilda landmark
Koombalah at 27 Grey Street St Kilda on the corner of Jackson Street, is a significant Federation Queen Anne end terrace which is currently in a severely neglected state. The building bears a bronzed art noveau plaque with its name "Koombalah" and features two prominent tudor style gables, an imposing chimney and faceted bay window.While one part of this duplex is the home to a Salvation Army Crisis Centre, the other half has been derelict for many years. In recent months, the whole building was boarded up (with security cameras in place obviously to deter drug users and squatters) and the corner balcony and window frames have rapidly decayed to a point nearly beyond repair.
The building, deep in the area of the corner of Fitzroy and Grey Streets is classified as as a "significant place" in 2007 the City of Port Phillip's heritage overlay strategy. But its owners, the state government (Department of Human Services) appears to have a different definition of significant place, as according to council records, they have apparently not maintained it since 2003 when they did some minor roof repair ....
One can only hope that they do this beautiful building justice before this it falls down completely.
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I have created a couple of new label categories for this kind of thing, "neglected builings" and "derelict buildings".
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Historic Albert Park Post Office demolition
VCAT has pushed through the demolition of Albert Park's historic post office to make way for an apartment tower in one of Melbourne's most significant historic areas - the Bridport Street village.Despite protests from local residents, the Victorian-era village is now set to lose much of its charm. Originally at over 4 storeys, the Metaxas Architects designed tower attracted 45 objections and the City of Port Phillip requested the plans be downscaled (fractionally) before approving the demolition with only a partial and heavily compromised facade of the old post office to remain and will lose its interiors and distinctive terracotta slate pitched roof.
The classical styled post office at 87 Dundas Place next to the Albert Park Hotel (itself the unfortunate victim of a modern makeover in the interwar years) is notable as a 1901 building with a columned entryway and pediment over three windows.
The permit history can be viewed here.
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Eating my own dogfood ...
You're probably wondering whether I put my money where my mouth is regarding heritage.
For the last couple of years, I have realised the dream of owning (paying off at least) a heritage listed apartment. The Edwardian building where I live is both historic, unique and aesthetic.
However it has not been without problems. For example, in the most recent incident, a drunk passer by decided he'd test his fist on one of the lead light windows facing the street. While insurance fortunately covered the damage, it was costly. One of the joys of living in an inner city "entertainment district" I suppose ....
While the exterior of the building is faithfully preserved (with just a few modifications), the interiors were heavily modified, a victim of the 1980s classic "beige invasion" which was the order of the day for rental properties.
I've also had to do extensive renovations on leaking plumbing, rotting timber window frames, floorboards, double hung window cords. Additionally I've had to deal with the ever present problem of grafitti vandalism. The interior is smaller than most would be used to, so I've had to adapt to making use of less space. There is also no car parking, so I've had to learn to live a car free lifestyle, which while trying at times definitely has its own rewards.
I do plan to restore the interiors to the best of my ability, although as far as I can tell no original plans or photos earlier than the 1980s exist and the plan does seem to have been modified at one stage. Nevertheless, there is plenty of paint stripping to be done.
Our body corporate is in the process of applying for heritage restoration funding under the Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund, however this does not apply to maintenance, so there is still a significant cost involved. They are currently in the process of making the building comply to council fire regulations, which is an extensive process which unfortunately does also undermine some of the heritage features of the place. Living in a heritage property means adapting to a whole range of building codes that never existed 100 years ago. But adapting is a much better option for conservation than demolition.
It all adds up and can be a stress on the budget at times, particularly in tough economic times. And more than once I've considered packing up and moving to Tasmania.
But is it all worth it ? ....... Hell yes.
It sure beats all those years of living in 1960s "dog box" style apartments in the outer suburbs. They are the difference between having a home designed by an architect and a builder. I can tell you, the definition of cognitive dissonance is the desire to have your own home demolished ... It doesn't matter how many coats of paint you whack on those things, they stay ugly, depressing and completely uninspiring.
Every the design of my heritage home throws new details, nuances and perspectives my way. It inspires me to live a full life. They just don't make buildings like they used to. Very lucky to find it passed in at auction during the peak of Melbourne's recent housing boom, in fact it cost less than many of the dog boxes of the same size in the area and less than most houses in the far outer houses which are now suffering such severe mortgage stress and petrol pain.
So am I right to be advocating for other people's properties to be given legal heritage protection ? I think so. These days the trend seems to be for modern, contemporary and low maintenance. While what I'm doing was popular in the early 90s, I can't seem to find too many like minded people these days, I guess where some people see problems, I see a challenge. While people may not be enjoying heritage at the moment, fashion goes in cycles. I guarantee you in 20 years time, people will not only be ruing the loss of many of the buildings being ruined at the moment, but snapping up what is left.
But for now I can still see the value of my little heritage oasis in the concrete jungle. If I had the money, I'd be buying up heritage properties left right and centre.
For the last couple of years, I have realised the dream of owning (paying off at least) a heritage listed apartment. The Edwardian building where I live is both historic, unique and aesthetic.
However it has not been without problems. For example, in the most recent incident, a drunk passer by decided he'd test his fist on one of the lead light windows facing the street. While insurance fortunately covered the damage, it was costly. One of the joys of living in an inner city "entertainment district" I suppose ....
While the exterior of the building is faithfully preserved (with just a few modifications), the interiors were heavily modified, a victim of the 1980s classic "beige invasion" which was the order of the day for rental properties.
I've also had to do extensive renovations on leaking plumbing, rotting timber window frames, floorboards, double hung window cords. Additionally I've had to deal with the ever present problem of grafitti vandalism. The interior is smaller than most would be used to, so I've had to adapt to making use of less space. There is also no car parking, so I've had to learn to live a car free lifestyle, which while trying at times definitely has its own rewards.
I do plan to restore the interiors to the best of my ability, although as far as I can tell no original plans or photos earlier than the 1980s exist and the plan does seem to have been modified at one stage. Nevertheless, there is plenty of paint stripping to be done.
Our body corporate is in the process of applying for heritage restoration funding under the Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund, however this does not apply to maintenance, so there is still a significant cost involved. They are currently in the process of making the building comply to council fire regulations, which is an extensive process which unfortunately does also undermine some of the heritage features of the place. Living in a heritage property means adapting to a whole range of building codes that never existed 100 years ago. But adapting is a much better option for conservation than demolition.
It all adds up and can be a stress on the budget at times, particularly in tough economic times. And more than once I've considered packing up and moving to Tasmania.
But is it all worth it ? ....... Hell yes.
It sure beats all those years of living in 1960s "dog box" style apartments in the outer suburbs. They are the difference between having a home designed by an architect and a builder. I can tell you, the definition of cognitive dissonance is the desire to have your own home demolished ... It doesn't matter how many coats of paint you whack on those things, they stay ugly, depressing and completely uninspiring.
Every the design of my heritage home throws new details, nuances and perspectives my way. It inspires me to live a full life. They just don't make buildings like they used to. Very lucky to find it passed in at auction during the peak of Melbourne's recent housing boom, in fact it cost less than many of the dog boxes of the same size in the area and less than most houses in the far outer houses which are now suffering such severe mortgage stress and petrol pain.
So am I right to be advocating for other people's properties to be given legal heritage protection ? I think so. These days the trend seems to be for modern, contemporary and low maintenance. While what I'm doing was popular in the early 90s, I can't seem to find too many like minded people these days, I guess where some people see problems, I see a challenge. While people may not be enjoying heritage at the moment, fashion goes in cycles. I guarantee you in 20 years time, people will not only be ruing the loss of many of the buildings being ruined at the moment, but snapping up what is left.
But for now I can still see the value of my little heritage oasis in the concrete jungle. If I had the money, I'd be buying up heritage properties left right and centre.
Heritage Victoria rejects nomination of Royal Insurance Group tower
Heritage Victoria has rejected the National Trust's nomination of the Royal Insurance Group building (430-444 Collins Street, Melbourne).
The Royal Insurance Group office building was designed by American firm Yuncken Freeman in 1962 and is an important modern building and a keystone to the architectural integrity of the financial and legal heart of Melbourne, one of the most significant collections of 1960s 20th Century International Modern architecture in Australia if not the world.
This precinct includes Eagle House and the former BHP House 140 William Street (which were both perviously registered) among others, exceptional examples of the American style in Australia. The RIG building in particular, with its black steel and glass frame is one of the most faithful designs to spirit of the work of Chicago architect Mies van de Rohe and the "less is more" style in Melbourne.
In my opinion, the Trust are wise to advocate the preservation of buildings of this era, most of which are currently classed as B or C grade office buildings and under threat of substantial modification or demolition.
Once again, Heritage Victoria has recommended addition to the planning scheme, which means very little and can easily be ruled in favour of developers by the state government through VCAT.
Heritage Victoria's decision can be read here.
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The Royal Insurance Group office building was designed by American firm Yuncken Freeman in 1962 and is an important modern building and a keystone to the architectural integrity of the financial and legal heart of Melbourne, one of the most significant collections of 1960s 20th Century International Modern architecture in Australia if not the world.
This precinct includes Eagle House and the former BHP House 140 William Street (which were both perviously registered) among others, exceptional examples of the American style in Australia. The RIG building in particular, with its black steel and glass frame is one of the most faithful designs to spirit of the work of Chicago architect Mies van de Rohe and the "less is more" style in Melbourne.
In my opinion, the Trust are wise to advocate the preservation of buildings of this era, most of which are currently classed as B or C grade office buildings and under threat of substantial modification or demolition.
Once again, Heritage Victoria has recommended addition to the planning scheme, which means very little and can easily be ruled in favour of developers by the state government through VCAT.
Heritage Victoria's decision can be read here.
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
1888 landmark Southbank Tea House could get new lease on life
It appears that the 1888 Southbank Tea House which was last used as a teahouse in 1950 could become a boutique hotel.The six storey heritage listed boom style warehouse is located at 28 Clarendon Street on the south side of the Yarra next to the Melbourne Convention Centre and opposite Crown Casino. It is one of just a handful of buildings (including the Arts Centre complex) left by the government during the urban renewal of Southbank. It is in a pocket of the city which is currently swamped by hi-rise hotel and apartment construction, but has uninterrupted views across the Yarra River to the central business district.
While the old tea house has had a new postmodern designed office wing added on the south side (which is primarily intended to provide the building with access to a modern elevator system), the interiors of the original building have been mostly faithfully preserved, with timber ceiling trusses, brick arched windows and wooden sashes.
The tea house was recently bought by Chinese investors who intend to turn it into a boutique hotel. This would be a good outcome for a building which has been used as offices since 1991. However we will monitor this one to ensure that the redevelopment is faithful to the heritage of this 1880s gem.
Spotted on Real Estate Source.
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Monday, September 22, 2008
Is Heritage Victoria better at rejecting than protecting ?
I am completely baffled by the amount of rejections of heritage nominations coming out of Heritage Victoria at the moment.
Having studied architecture and Melbourne's history, I can say unequivocally that Heritage Victoria is failing Victorians. Many of these buildings nominated are of cultural significance to the state. It is time for Victorians to start caring enough to show Heritage Victoria that we do want to keep them.
While it is all well and good to register a couple of quaint bridges and mining shafts in out of the way country places not doing justice to the architecture and history of Melbourne's CBD and allow buildings like the Eastern Arcade and it would also appear that Lonsdale House and most of Little Bourke Street without due diligence and proper legal protection is simply negligent.
You'd think that the loss of these buildings under threat would stir the body into action.
Instead it seems that as a government department it is accurately representing the Brumby government's completely lassez faire attitude to the destruction of our state's heritage. By deliberately overriding local council heritage controls, ignoring the recommendations of conservation bodies and frequently their own heritage department they are showing a complete contempt for the history and the appreciation of it by future generations.
Some more specific examples to come.
Having studied architecture and Melbourne's history, I can say unequivocally that Heritage Victoria is failing Victorians. Many of these buildings nominated are of cultural significance to the state. It is time for Victorians to start caring enough to show Heritage Victoria that we do want to keep them.
While it is all well and good to register a couple of quaint bridges and mining shafts in out of the way country places not doing justice to the architecture and history of Melbourne's CBD and allow buildings like the Eastern Arcade and it would also appear that Lonsdale House and most of Little Bourke Street without due diligence and proper legal protection is simply negligent.
You'd think that the loss of these buildings under threat would stir the body into action.
Instead it seems that as a government department it is accurately representing the Brumby government's completely lassez faire attitude to the destruction of our state's heritage. By deliberately overriding local council heritage controls, ignoring the recommendations of conservation bodies and frequently their own heritage department they are showing a complete contempt for the history and the appreciation of it by future generations.
Some more specific examples to come.
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