Today I was able to tour the block of flats known as Cairo on Nicholson Street, Fitzroy as part of
Open House Melbourne.
Designed by Best Overend the flats were constructed in 1936 in a U shaped around a large communal garden.
The block consists of 20 bed-sits and eight one bedroom units. The spaces are small with some built-in furniture however the complex originally included a communal dining room, an in-house meal service and a laundry service. The serving hatches placed at floor level outside each kitchenette are still in place.
Overend worked with Wells Coates in London and Cairo follows many of the principals employed in Coates'
Lawn Road flats in Hampstead which had been completed two years earlier. The concept was to provide minimal bachelor flats at affordable prices.
We were able to visit one of the ground-floor bed-sits which had been recently renovated in keeping with those original design principles. The ground-floor flats each have a private garden. The units on the southern arm of the block face the internal communal garden which adds to the airy feeling of those units.
The first floor flats have access to the roof via concrete stairways including a most extraordinary cantilevered spiral at the centre of the black forming the bottom of the U.
And it provides a lovely view of the city oasis at Cairo.
Excellent!!!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Overend worked with Wells Coates in London where the goal was definitely to provide classy flats for city workers at affordable prices. Worse still, I had NO idea that Melbourne had a project that closely followed the principals employed in the flats in Hampstead.
If only the concept had caught on.
I know, it's fantastic Hels. I've wanted to get into Cairo for quite a while and it was lovely to be shown around by two long-term residents who love living there and appreciate the history and design aspects of the flats. Also it was lovely to see that it is still a desirable block of flats with loyal residents although the communal dining room and in-house services are gone. Lawn Road was virtually derelict when I saw it in 2000. It's been renovated since but it isn't a pure residence like Cairo.
DeleteThis is so topical David as Melbourne debates apartment standards.
ReplyDeleteFor sure Janet. I wonder how many of today's high-rises will be the slums of the slums of the next few decades.
DeleteAlthough I visited the Lawn Road Flats when we lived in NW London, I recently read and appreciated the book by historian David Burke more So thanks to this post, both spouse and I now want to visit the Cairo flats, to make some informed comparisons.
ReplyDeleteKeep an eye out for next year's Open House weekend and my advice would be get there early and be prepared for a long wait.
DeleteDone :) Thanks
ReplyDeletehttp://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/cairo-flats-art-deco-bachelor-flats-in.html