Modernism in South Melbourne

Okay, so maybe the first entry for this blog should have been a focus on interior design but for the last few months now, I have frequently walked by what I think has to be one the most wonderful examples of modernist architecture.  The sheer symmetry and minimalist approach to this unmistakeable piece of architecture warrants my first blog entry.  As you walk by Park Towers, on Cecil St, you cant help but cast your eyes up its entire concrete bulk.  Its just massive and quite raw.  U-shaped, this concrete structure casts a moody shadow through its internal spine and I cant help but feel for those who were unlucky enough to have an internal view.  Ive yet to get too close to the building in fear that it will lose its impact.  I often think of the 1000s of dwellers within, the many colourful and sometimes hard lives within.  

So to the facts - With 31 floors of concrete bones, Park Towers stands at 92 metres high. When completed Park Towers was the tallest precast concrete load-bearing-wall panel building in the world.  When the decision was made to build the block four streets and 83 buildings had to be demolished to make way for the single tower and upon completion it was the third tallest building in Melbourne and the second tallest residential building in Australia. It was considered the pinnacle of the Victorian Housing Commissions high rise public housing program which led the world in the development of the precast concrete panel high rise from 1964 to 1975.