Go Saints, 2010 AFL Grand Final

St Kilda have won their way into successive Grand Finals for only the second time in their 137 year history. In 1965 we finished top of the ladder and lost the Grand Final before winning the premiership, our only premiership, in 1966 beating Collingwood by 1 point.

In 2009 we finished top and lost the Grand Final and today we play Collingwood for premiership glory. I will be among the 100,000 plus people at the 'G' today and I can only dream of what it will feel like if we are in front when the final siren sounds.

Last year I posted photos of 20th C buildings decorated in St Kilda colours so I've done the same this year, including some old favourites and some new ones.

Raising the St Kilda flag at the Prince of Wales in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Streamline flat in Fitzroy Street

Saints fans posing for a picture outside a red, white and black shop in Fitzroy Street.

Marli Place, Upper Esplanade

St Kilda flags on Vineyard Restaurant, Acland Street. I wonder if they decorated the lamppost as well.

A Saints flag on the corner of the Vineyard Restaurant in Acland Street, St Kilda.

A St Kilda guernsey in a ground floor flat in St Kilda.

90s 'crusader' style St Kilda guernsey.

Very loyal Sainters in Ballantrae.

Flats in Middle Park

Old VFL St Kilda guernsey in the window of a flat in Middle Park.

St Kilda flag flying over the St Kilda Sea Baths.

GO SAINTERS!

former Morris Bros Union Dairy, Middle Park

This house in Middle Park is a wonderful example of how older building can be re-used and adapted for a new purpose after they are no longer required as originally planned.

The white portions of this house providing the front entrance and ground floor facade were, in a former life, part of Morris Bros Union Dairy. To cater for modern living, the site has been excavated to provide a large garage and a second storey in a contrasting style has been added.

This type of redevelopment appeals to me. It is easy to see the extent of the original building and the Art Deco detailing has been retained in the new structure yet presumably the new owners have created a great home for themselves.

The new house retains some of the history of the site and prompts observers to wonder what it was before.

Reference: Melbourne Art Deco, Robin Grow

A House in Middle Park

I really don't know if this is a house or a an apartment block. I think it may have been both at various times.

In any case it is an interesting building. Asymmetrical with the way it is set back on the right hand side with the windows also cutting into the corner on the same side.

The dominant feature, though, is the central element which lifts this building above an ordinary residence.