The Art Deco Entrance to the "Amelita" Flats - Balaclava

            Advertised in "The Argus" newspaper on Saturday the 21st of April 1934, the "Amelita" flats on Brighton Road were described as being 'luxurious flats of four and five rooms with hot water supply and every labour saving device.'

The "Amelita" flats are a two storey complex of four flats in the Melbourne suburb of Balaclava.  Designed in Streamline Moderne style, the building has large windows and an entranceway featuring original Art Deco doors, an Art Deco stairwell window and the name emblazoned in stylised lettering beneath the small front portico.  The complex still has its original electrified buzzer board (albeit painted over now) for each flat to the left of the front doors. 

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 those found in the "Amelita" complex would have suited those of comfortable means who could afford to live in Balacalva, 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.

Taken in: Australia / Victoria / Ripponlea (show map)

Taken on: January 7, 2020

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Amelita

Amelita Flats

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Art Deco

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Streamline Moderne

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Streamline Moderne design

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double doors

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Sets appears in: • Art Deco • Moderne Melbourne 1915 - 21st Century more » • Amelita Flats Complex « less

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Camera: Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS, f/4.9, 1/160 sec, 18.6mm, ISO 800 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS
Aperture:	f/4.9
Exposure Time:	0.006 sec (1/160)
Focal Length:	18.6mm
ISO:	800
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
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