Posts Tagged ‘harry norris’

Penfolds buildings, former cable tram terminus in Fitzroy was demolished today (image from the Art Deco & Modernism Society)

Very sad times for Melbourne art deco fans.

The long protracted death of Penfold’s buildings, a stunning but derelict moderne-style tram shed on the corner of Brunswick Street and Victoria Parade has inally reached its climax.  One of the rare works of reknowned interwar architect Harry Norris, the result of a remodelling of an 1880s cable tram station in 1936 has succumbed to redevelopment as part of an apartment complex.

A failed nomination was made to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2007.  The state government planning minister ignored the appeals of the City of Yarra, Art Deco Society, National Trust and local residents – siding with the developer to push ahead for its removal in 2008.  An appeal taken to VCAT was overruled allowing the sheds to be demolished.  Sadly it was argued that not even the spectacular tower and facade were worth saving.  In the writers opinion with a simple coat of paint this building could have remained a great deco landmark.

The bulldozers were very quick to move in today.

The Capital Bakeries, a similar remodelled cable tram shed in Chapel Street has also been approved for demolition and awaits the same fate.

If these demolitions move you even slightly my recommendation would be to join the Art Deco Society today and help preserve what is left of our fantastic art deco heritage before it is too late.

One can only hope that the apartment building that replace them will stand the test of time.  Fitzroy’s heritage character is certainly not be the winner here.  Such a shame that our planners and developers have such narrow vision.

And so the unrelenting destruction continues …

“Concrete cancer”, a condition where the alkaline content of certain building materials reacts with carbon dioxide (also sometimes Ettringite found in hydrated Portland cement) causing them to fall away, is beginning to effect reinforced concrete buildings from the 1920s around the world.  These buildings, now almost a century old are showing the signs of age.  Some, like Brisbane’s City Hall are suffering so badly from the condition that it threatens structural integrity.  Many parts of Eastern Bloc countries and Russia are being completely demolished due to structurally unsound buildings as a result of concrete cancer.  However non-structural cancer can be easily treated and is simply a sign of poor maintenance.

Not suprisingly, some of Melbourne’s significant buildings are 1920s and made of reinforced concrete.

I have found quite a few examples of buildings around town affected by this condition.

Curtin House (formerly Tattersalls Club) (252 Swanston Street) is one such example.  Pieces of the historic former home of the Communist Party of Australia are beginning to fall from the building’s elaborate balconies and eaves.  Although the building is not on the Victorian Heritage Register, its heritage value is recognised by the Melbourne City Council with a B grade heritage status.

Curtin House, showing signs of concrete cancer

Another badly affected building is Epstein House (136 Flinders Street).  This building is graded C by the Melbourne City Council and has a diamonded folding facade.  Like Curtin House, the overhanging bits are badly decaying.

Dremans building, a tall interwar warehouse at 84 Flinders Street next to Campbell House is another example.  However the building is not listed in the Melbourne City Council’s much out-of-date heritage studies.

However one of the worst cases I have seen in the CBD is the Princess Mary Club (148 Lonsdale Street) next to the Wesley Church.  This tudor gothic styled interwar building designed by renowned architect Harry Norris has only a C grading, although it is one of the finest of its style to be found in Melbourne and one of my personal favourites as it blends the moderne with mock historic.  It has been unfortunately been indefinitely covered in scaffolding due to the majority of its stuccoed concrete facade falling on the street below.

One can only hope that some money can be spent keeping the cancer at bay, because it is only superficial and can be fixed cosmetically and certainly not an excuse for demolition.

If anyone can think of any other examples in the CBD, please feel free to mention them.

This stunning but derelict moderne-style tram shed – one of the rare works of reknowned interwar architect Harry Norris – in a heritage overlay was part of a proposal for demolition for a new apartment complex. VCAT ruled that the sheds could be demolished.
The Art Deco Society has further information and updates on this building.

Walking Melbourne has a discussion thread on this topic.

Photo is courtesy of the Age.