vintage
The old Annandale
The old Annandale Council Chambers (1899). In the late Victorian colonial style, Annandale Council was abolished in 1948 and absorbed into neighbouring Leichhardt (all since amalgamated into Inner West Council). For many years the building was a council works depot, before being restored for use as a community centre, but since the Pandemic, it now appears vacant. Annandale.
Abandoned inter-war period
Abandoned inter-war period bungalow with sagging breeze block fence. Dulwich Hill.
A pair of
A pair of post-WWII apartment buildings for low income earners. Social housing constructed by the NSW Housing Commission during a program of extensive slum clearances. A marble plaque reads: “This stone was unveiled by the Hon. Clive R. Evatt, K.C., M.L.A. Minister for Housing, 22nd April 1950. C.A. Gaskin Pty Ltd. Builders. C.C. Brewster and Murray. Architects.” Balmain.
Rebuilt facade better
Rebuilt facade better than it ever looked in living memory. The old Georgiou’s chocolate factory from the 1930’s, which was closed and abandoned for years before the Pandemic, now an sprawling new apartment complex. The bottom photo was taken when the old factory was in the process of being demolished in April 2020. Only the modified facade now remains. Lewisham.
A now rare
A now rare surviving Federation-style double-fronted worker’s cottage. Nowhere to put your legs on the narrow front porch and window bars to deter thieves. 120 years old or thereabouts. How much longer? Newtown.
Building confidence with
Building confidence with art deco Sydney Sandstone and marble during the height of the Great Depression. Now an apartment building. Chippendale.
1930’s era art
1930’s era art deco apartment building, in various shades of the ubiquitous Sydney Red Brick, the most common building material of the time. Stanmore.
“Valhalla” (1937). Much
“Valhalla” (1937). Much loved art deco cinema. Opened as the “Astor”, a purpose built cinema with 997 seats. Closed in 1959 and abandoned, but saved from dereliction a decade later, restored and eventually became the Valhalla in 1979. It’s been showing indy, art house and cult movies ever since. Glebe.
One of the
One of the very few remaining old-style corner stores still operating in the Inner West, even with the building in poor shape. The shop remained open throughout the Covid19 pandemic, surviving on foot traffic. They still sell actual newspapers. Lilyfield.
Water pumping station.
Water pumping station. Improving reticulation to parts of the Inner West from the still operating landmark water tower (1965), sitting atop a nearby covered-over 19th century reservoir. Petersham.