The "Taradale" Flats - Elwood
Built in 1936 by architect Walter Mason, "Taradale" is a three-storey complex of flats built in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood.
Daringly Modernist, these flats stand out against their older and newer neighbours. Built in Streamline Moderne style, they are very representative of all that was "moderne" in the mid 1930s. The clean uncluttered lines of the flats, the building's large windows, rounded balconies, speed lines and even the horizontal metal letters of "Taradale's" name are very Streamline Moderne in design and spirit. Even "Taradale's" gates are Streamline Moderne in style! If they stand out today, imagine how they shocked and surprised people in 1936!
After the Great War (1914 - 1918), higher costs of living and the "servant problem" made living in the grand mansions and villas built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras a far less practical and attractive option for both those looking for new housing, and those who lived in big houses. It was around this time, in answer to these problems, that flats and apartments began to replace some larger houses, and became fashionable to live in.
Flats like "Taradale" would have suited those of comfortable means who could afford to live in Elwood, and dispense with the difficulties of keeping a large retinue of staff. With clean lines and large windows, it mirrored the prevailing uncluttered lines of architecture that came out of England after the war.
Modernist architect Walter Mason designed many flats around Melbourne's bayside suburbs like Brighton, Mentone and Elwood before the Second World War, and then houses after it. Although his work is little recognised these days, one of his most iconic buildings is the Revlova Redressing Laundry built on Punt Road in Richmond in 1937. This, together with his own Modernist home in Mount Eliza and the "Taradale" flats in Elwood make up his most recognisable works.
The "Taradale" Flats - Elwood
Built in 1936 by architect Walter Mason, "Taradale" is a three-storey complex of flats built in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood.
Daringly Modernist, these flats stand out against their older and newer neighbours. Built in Streamline Moderne style, they are very representative of all that was "moderne" in the mid 1930s. The clean uncluttered lines of the flats, the building's large windows, rounded balconies, speed lines and even the horizontal metal letters of "Taradale's" name are very Streamline Moderne in design and spirit. Even "Taradale's" gates are Streamline Moderne in style! If they stand out today, imagine how they shocked and surprised people in 1936!
After the Great War (1914 - 1918), higher costs of living and the "servant problem" made living in the grand mansions and villas built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras a far less practical and attractive option for both those looking for new housing, and those who lived in big houses. It was around this time, in answer to these problems, that flats and apartments began to replace some larger houses, and became fashionable to live in.
Flats like "Taradale" would have suited those of comfortable means who could afford to live in Elwood, and dispense with the difficulties of keeping a large retinue of staff. With clean lines and large windows, it mirrored the prevailing uncluttered lines of architecture that came out of England after the war.
Modernist architect Walter Mason designed many flats around Melbourne's bayside suburbs like Brighton, Mentone and Elwood before the Second World War, and then houses after it. Although his work is little recognised these days, one of his most iconic buildings is the Revlova Redressing Laundry built on Punt Road in Richmond in 1937. This, together with his own Modernist home in Mount Eliza and the "Taradale" flats in Elwood make up his most recognisable works.