Snapshot, Abbotsford

The Retreat Hotel, Abbotsford. Saturday morning in September. I'm not sure what style you would describe it as. It has art deco stylings, the emphasis on strong vertical lines, but my understanding is that it dates to about 1910. It also has a certain arts and Crafts look or maybe English Free Style, especially the curved central tower with its large overhanging eaves, a bit like a mushroom and the very strong window frames.

Snapshot, Abbotsford

Carringbush Library. Formerly Church of Christ, built 1888-9. Architect - Jonathon Rankine.

I 'found' this a few Saturday's ago. It is just off Hoddle St, opposite the side of the town hall, but I so rarely actually walk along Hoddle that I had never noticed it before. The rays of sun sparkling on the white decoration made it extra noticeable.

Snapshot, Abbotsford.

I noticed this building on my very hot walk through Abbotsford yesterday, initially because of the lovely cool breeze that blew out the windows, but then because it is actually a rather fine building designed by William Pitt. I particularly like the fine brickwork that accentuates the regular articulation of the facade. It was built in the late nineteenth century and the Heritage Databse describes it thus:

The Denton Hat Mills is one of a number of significant large factory complexes designed by Pitt. It is thought to represent some of his earliest extant factory designs, predating his 1890s work at Foy and Gibson and the Victoria Brewery and his 1909 work at Bryant and May.

The Denton Hat Mills complex is of scientific significance because it was Australia's first steam-powered hat factory and one of only ten percent of all Victorian clothing factories of the 1880s which boasted powered/mechanized plant.

See the full Victorian Heritage Database entry here.
Walking Melbourne entry here.
It is now being renovated, not sure on the details but this suggests it is apartments and shops.
It is tucked away in the inner suburban streets at 49-60 Nicholson St, Abbotsford.