Astor Theatre, Chapel St, St Kilda (Autumn 2012)

Digital InnovationsPreservation, Victoria

A major preservation battle has broken out over the future of the iconic Astor Theatre in St Kilda. Constructed in 1936, the theatre (with its neon spangled facade) is famous for its double-bill cult and arthouse classics and is Melbourne’s last operational single screen cinema. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and is not threatened with demolition. The …

former Melford Motors, car Elizabeth & Queensberry Sts, Melbourne (Autumn 2012)

Digital InnovationsPreservation, Victoria

In the last edition of Spirit of Progress, we informed members that ADMS made a submission for this classic motor showroom, designed for the Ford Company in 1936 by Harry Norris to be included on the Victoria Heritage Register. ADMS has just been informed that the building has been recommended for inclusion in the Register. The owners have 60 days …

former Melford Motors, cnr Elizabeth & Queensberry Sts, Melbourne (Summer 2012)

Digital InnovationsPreservation, Victoria

ADMS has engaged Simon Reeve, of Built Heritage Pty Ltd, to prepare a submission to the Victorian Heritage Register for the former Melford Motors building on the corner of Elizabeth and Queensberry Streets, Melbourne. Designed for the Ford Company in 1936 by Harry Norris, the showroom is located on a prominent corner site, and features large curved glass windows wrapping …

former Commonwealth Bank, Bourke St, Melbourne (Summer 2011)

Digital InnovationsPreservation, Victoria

The former Commonwealth Bank, at 219-225 Bourke Street, Melbourne, has been recommended for inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register. The owners of the building (City of Melbourne) have objected to the listing. Heritage Victoria will now negotiate with the Council. If the matter can’t be resolved, a hearing will be held with the Historic Buildings Council.  

Snelleman (“Coil”) House, East Ivanhoe (Autumn 2011)

Digital InnovationsPreservation, Victoria

One of the reasons for the decision made last year by ADMS to change its name to include Modernism was to act as advocates for the preservation of significant post-WWII buildings. A major force in Melbourne’s architectural circles in the 1950s (and ever since!) was Peter McIntyre. In 1953 he designed a house for the Snelleman family in the riverside …

Penfold’s Building, former Cable Tram Building, cnr Victoria Pde & Brunswick St, Fitzroy (Summer 2010)

Digital InnovationsLost Buildings, Preservation, Victoria

In 2008/09, ADMS was engaged in a long battle to preserve a former cable-car engine house that had been given a Moderne makeover in 1936 when it was converted to the headquarters of Penfolds Wines in Victoria. Eventually VCAT issued a demolition permit and the building was finally demolished in December 2009. It highlights the difficulty of preserving buildings that …

Enniskillen, Canterbury (Summer 2010)

Digital InnovationsPreservation, Victoria

ADMS recently supported a group of Canterbury residents and Boroondara Council in their battle against a proposal to dramatically extend Enniskillen, a large, L-shaped house in Tudor Revival style (1925) by the prominent architect Arthur Plaisted. In November, the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) accepted our arguments that the proposed extension would destroy much of the historic fabric and …