Asbestos House, Southbank (Summer 2016)

ADMSA Lost Buildings, Preservation, Victoria

Another Harry Norris building has been demolished, this one on the corner of City Road and Clarendon Street, Southbank. Designed by Norris in 1936 as the headquarters for James Hardie and Co, it was named Asbestos House, as many of the major building products manufactured and sold by the firm contained asbestos. Of course, this was in the days when …

Capitol Bakeries Building, cnr Chapel St & Toorak Rd, South Yarra (Summer 2016)

ADMSA Lost Buildings, Preservation, Victoria

After a decade-long battle to preserve the Capitol building, demolition has commenced on this prominent South Yarra corner. The building started life as one of Melbourne’s cable-car engine-sheds before being converted to a bakery in 1936 after the trams were electrified. The makeover was designed by prolific local architect Harry Norris. The massive development of apartment blocks in South Yarra …

Rootes Factory, Port Melbourne (Winter 2015)

ADMSA Preservation, Victoria

A major part of Port Melbourne’s industrial and military history is currently under threat. The former Rootes building (19-25 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne) was constructed in 1941 and was the site for the design and development of prototypes of tanks.  In 1943, the tank project was terminated and the building was used for the Maintenance section of the Department of …

Civic Hall, Ballarat (Autumn 2014)

ADMSA Preservation, Victoria

The major preservation battle underway in the regional city of Ballarat to prevent the Civic Hall, constructed in 1953 to a design by prominent local architect Les Coburn, from demolition by the Ballarat Council took another turn recently.  Council received over 3,000 objections to its proposed demolition. Now the State government has entered the issue, with the Premier of Victoria …

Civic Hall, Ballarat (Summer 2014)

ADMSA Preservation, Victoria

The preservation battle surrounding the Civic Hall in Ballarat continues. Constructed in 1953 to a design by prominent local architect Les Coburn and Melbourne architect Gordon Murphy, the hall is significant as the first steel-framed and reinforced concrete building constructed in Victoria, outside of Melbourne. The Ballarat Council has now lodged an application to demolish the building. ADMS will be lodging an …