Saturday, December 12, 2009

Alkira House, Melbourne

Alkira House, Melbourne

I suppose it isn't good form to complain that there are too many trees in the streets of my home town of Melbourne. The problem is, I can't get a clear photo of one of my favourite Melbourne buildings, Alkira House.

Alkira House, Melbourne

Alkira House is a beautiful little building with a facade of black and green faience tiles and a large section of glass bricks. It is wedged between it's taller neighbours and probably goes unnoticed by many Melbournians.

Alkira House, Melbourne

The building was designed by architect James Wardrop and constructed in 1937.

Alkira House, Melbourne

The rounded roofline is topped with a spectacularly sculpted pediment which serves as a wonderful support to the ubiquitous Art Deco flag pole.

Alkira House, Melbourne

I'm not a coffee drinker but if you are around Queen St, I would recommend a visit to the Art Deco Cafe at No. 18, Alkira House just because it is a fabulous building.

Alkira House, Melbourne

Posted by David Thompson
Place: ,

11 comments:

  1. Thomas RyanDecember 13, 2009 at 12:40 AM

    Stunning building that one! You have certainly done well to get some shots avoiding the trees:)

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  2. David ThompsonDecember 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    Thanks Thomas. I never feel that my pictures capture just how stunning the building actually is.

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  3. Bullion78December 13, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    Great work Dave!

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  4. Sean FishlockDecember 14, 2009 at 10:07 AM

    I've had the same problem with trees and photos. I find winter is often the best time to take them.

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  5. David ThompsonDecember 14, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    Thanks Fazz & Sean

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  6. Thomas RyanDecember 14, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    yeah the art deco buildings in Melbourne being quite tall coupled with tree growth in the summer months creates a real challenge - like Sean said - winter is a great time - summer months can often be impossible to see the buildings let alone take photos of them! :)

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  7. David ThompsonDecember 14, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    By the look of it, these photos were taken in spring as there are some leaves but not the full summer coverage. I agree winter is the best, especially if we get one of those beautiful cloudless days. Of course these trees are even bigger now so even in winter they block a lot of Alkira House.

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  8. David WilsonDecember 14, 2009 at 9:26 PM

    This building is on top of my "must see" list next time I'm in Melbourne. The picture of the top od the building is beautiful. BTW what is the latest with Lonsdale House?

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  9. David ThompsonDecember 15, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    Make sure you do get to see Alkira House. It is at the Flinders St end of Queen St.

    There is no good news on Lonsdale House. Melbourne Heritage Watch website reported a month ago that demolition was imminent but so far it is still standing.

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  10. Ann ODyneDecember 15, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    Great photos, and I'm glad to see the great pediment/tower thingy.
    I have posted at my blog a deco spaceship tower in Colac.

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  11. David ThompsonDecember 15, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    Thanks Ann. I can picture that fabulous 'deco spaceship' on the main road through Colac on the left just on the way out of town toward Warrnambool. I love the stuff you post about Regional Victoria.

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