The large townhouse development at Bay Street, Port Melbourne, was the result of an external consultant being asked to design low-income housing for the State Government department, the Ministry of Housing. Porthole windows, ship's railing, grey stucco and white bricks allude to its seaside location. Front fences and gardens, individual front doors and private balconies signify territoriality. From Bay Street, there is a formal gateway to this enclave of homes. In the centre of the scheme is a public garden space. This scheme, and others by private consultants at Highett, Malvern and another at Port Melbourne, were indicative of the enlightened approach by the Ministry of Housing in the 1980s to provide quality medium-density housing in Victoria.

More Information