North Melbourne landmark deco hotel being demolished
January 7th, 2010
Red Back Hotel being demolished in 2010. Image by Zxath used with permission
2010 is not off to a great start for appreciators of Melbourne’s art deco heritage, with the heritage listed art deco hotel in North Melbourne currently called the “Red Back” (formerly the Royal) currently being completely demolished to make way for student accomodation. RealestateSource.com.au reported recently that the developer requested a permit upon purchasing the site after footballer Wayne Carey sold his interest in the hotel.
The building’s heritage significance was identified in the 1985 heritage report by Graeme Butler and it was subsequently graded C and included in the City of Melbourne’s heritage overlay HO3. Its chamfered corner facade features a nice moderne stepped parapet with flagpole and curved balconette.
Once again the City of Melbourne’s photographic record is incorrect and illustrates an unfortunate modern extension however the council does not vouch for the accuracy of its heritage records. The developer’s render appears to deliberately omit the neighbouring rows of historic double storey terrace houses along Flemington Road.
Developer render of replacement studio apartment tower
The City of Melbourne granted a planning permit for demolition on the 27th October last year. It is being replaced by a 9 storey complex of 210 studio apartments which will tower over neighbouring Victorian era terrace houses.
Thanks to reader Zxath for info and images.
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Albeit a lovely old Art Deco building the proposed one is *really* a nifty alternative!
I was waiting at traffic lights today in Mascot (a suburb of Sydney where the airport is located) and noticed three beautiful Art Deco shop facades side by side. I had never noticed them before. I recalled the Art Deco buildings site of David Thompson who says “look up for inspiration”. I made a mental note to come back and photograph these buildings and upload them to the Art Deco section of my website. I hope people don’t spam me but there are old buildings that *are* Art Deco but in reality don’t have much to offer past an interesting *rule of three* feature. This is not reason enough to preserve them if something more fabulous is proposed. True artistic merit in a building dazzles with its uniqueness. I may be a Luddite but the proposed building will be much more appreciated in the future than the current banal excuse for Art Deco style. It’s all about style. If it hasn’t got it – put something there that has.