Friday, February 28, 2014

Spruce, Leeton

Spruce, Leeton

Great Deco tile work and amazing geometric windows at Spruce in Leeton.

Spruce, Leeton
Spruce, Leeton
Spruce, Leeton

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

cnr Sheridan & Homer Sts, Gundagai

Gundagai

I'm not sure what to make of this building at the corner of Sheridan & Homer Streets in Gundagai. It's in the main street so perhaps it is an old pub or perhaps it was always a multi-residence dwelling. It's an interesting style, making it hard to date and the decorative gable doesn't help me other than it has a very clear vertical Deco element.

Gundagai

Monday, February 24, 2014

83 Newbury St, Boston

83 Newbury St, Boston

Very plain from across the road ...

83 Newbury St, Boston

but look what's up at the roofline.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Mythological Sea Horse, Baltimore

Aquatic Sea Horse, Baltimore

In 1926, Edmond R Amateis won a competition for two sculptures to sit on pedestals outside the War Memorial Building in Baltimore. His entry was for a pair horses with long aquatic tails which he described "mythological sea horses".

R A Baillie carved the final sculptures which included symbolic elements representing Baltimore, Maryland, the army and the navy. The right hand sculpture has an eagle and the Baltimore city seal between the front legs of the sea horse representing the army. The other horse, pictured above, includes an osprey and the state seal of Maryland to represent the navy.

The sea horses were completed in time for the dedication of the War Memorial Plaza on November 11, 1927.

Reference:
Kelly, C. and Remsberg, E. H. 2011. Outdoor sculpture in Baltimore. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp 95-96.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Empty Shop, Eketahuna

Empty Shop, Eketahuna

Sometimes the place names are as interesting as the buildings so if you need a retail space in New Zealand, check out this empty shop in Eketahuna.

Empty Shop, Eketahuna
Empty Shop, Eketahuna
Empty Shop, Eketahuna

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

M&T Bank Branch, Baltimore

M&T Bank Branch, Baltimore

Spotted this bank while being driven around Baltimore so we had to stop.

M&T Bank Branch, Baltimore
M&T Bank Branch, Baltimore
M&T Bank Branch, Baltimore

Saturday, February 15, 2014

815 King Street, Alexandria

815 King Street, Alexandria

Viewed from across the road, 815 King Street, Alexandria, VA is a pleasant enough building but at street level the two shopfronts are something else.

815 King Street, Alexandria

Friday, February 14, 2014

Magy Apartments, Shanghai

Magy Apartments, Shanghai

The Magy Apartments in West Fuxing Rd, Shanghai. There are many corner apartment buildings from the deco era in Shanghai. The Magy Apartments were built in 1936.

Magy Apartments, Shanghai

On quite a few of those buildings there are plaques similar to the one for Magy. They are issued by the local municipality and as you can see they recognise the building has having some heritage value but it doesn't mean that it is protected in any way. Some are protected, but that important element is usually not included in the English translation.

My friends at Historic Shanghai showed me the important Chinese character that means the building is protected but it didn't stick. Maybe next time I'll pay more attention!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Nissan Court, Mount Victoria

Nissan Court, Mt Victoria
Nissan Court, Mount Victoria

Nissan Court, Mt Victoria
Nissan Court with Hamilton Flats in the background, Mount Victoria

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Friday, February 7, 2014

Montgomery Arms Apartments, Silver Spring

Montgomery Arms Apartments, Silver Spring

These are the Montgomery Arms Apartments in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Montgomery Arms Apartments, Silver Spring

They consist of several blocks, each with their own entrance, and set around common gardens.

Montgomery Arms Apartments, Silver Spring

The apartments were completed in 1941 and have been attributed to Washington architect George T Santmyers who was reusable for the design of many multi-family dwellings in the Washington area.

Montgomery Arms Apartments, Silver Spring

The blocks are mostly free of decoration except for around the entrances.

Montgomery Arms Apartments, Silver Spring

Reference:
Maryland Historic Trust, Maryland Historic Sites Inventory, Montgomery Arms Apartments Inventory Form prepared by Carol Kennedy, Historic Preservation Planner, Sept 1990.