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CAIRO FLATS
98 NICHOLSON STREET AND 14 HANOVER STREET FITZROY, YARRA CITY

WORLD HERITAGE ENVIRONS AREA

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.

Victorian Heritage Register

CAIRO FLATS SOHE 2008

1 cairo flats nicholson street fitzroy exterior staircase oct1993

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

WHEA AREA OF GREATER SIGNIFICANCE

Cairo Flats, built in 1936 and designed by the architect Acheson Best Overend, is a two-storey, U-shaped building, comprising 28 bachelor flats. The flats were constructed of blue clinker brick with projecting, curved balconies and were designed to provide maximum amenity in minimum space for minimum rent. The flats were complemented by a communal dining room, an in-house meal and laundry service, central heating, garages at the rear and a communal flat roof space.

Cairo Flats is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.

Cairo Flats is of architectural significance as an early example of the minimal flat type in Victoria. The building is an important example of the International Modern style and established a major break with conventional maisonette flat design. Cairo Flats is significant for Overend's daring use of concrete, especially in the unusual cantilevered stairs. The flats retain their original layout and feature original polished floor boards, timber front doors with small edged portal windows and the original 'D' shaped aluminium internal door handles, possibly the first use of such handles in Australia.

Cairo Flats is of historical significance for the insight it provides into changing lifestyles for single people in inter-war Melbourne. At the time of its construction it provided an uncommon type of accommodation in Melbourne, and was important in the development of flats in Victoria. Best Overend's vision for a 'minimal flat with maximum comfort' was manifested in the innovative use of labour-saving devices such as service hatchways, dustbin hatchways, service telephones and the provision of a dining room (now milk bar) and meal service.

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- Cairo Flats - Yarra City
- History
  
  CAIRO FLATS - History
  Associated People: Owner UXBRIDGE INVESTMENTS PTY LTD;
  
  Plaque Citation
  
  CAIRO FLATS - Plaque Citation
  
  Designed by Acheson Best Overend and built in 1936 as 28 small bachelor flats sharing communal facilities, Cairo Flats are significant for their role in the development of the modern flat and as an important example of the International Modern style in Melbourne.
  
  Permit Exemption Policy
  
  CAIRO FLATS - Permit Exemption Policy
  
  The registered place is located within the declared World Heritage Environs Area for the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. In accordance with the permit considerations set out in the Heritage Act 1995, proposed works to the registered place must consider:
  
  - the effect of the works on the World Heritage values of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens; and
  
  - the approved "World Heritage Environs Area Strategy Plan: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens" (Department of Planning and Community Development, 2009).
  The Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000, as they relate to actions that may impact on World Heritage values, must also be considered.
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All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.

Victorian Heritage Register

Record Details

Place ID
2093
Location
98 NICHOLSON STREET AND 14 HANOVER STREET FITZROY, YARRA CITY
Municipality
YARRA CITY
Heritage Listing
Victorian Heritage Register
Level of significance
Registered
Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number
H1005

Heritage Overlay Numbers
HO185
Extent of Registration

AMENDMENT OF REGISTER OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Historic Building No. 1005:
Cairo Flats, 98 Nicholson Street Fitzroy, City of Yarra
(To the extent of:
1. All of the building known as Cairo Flats, 98 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, including the former dining room (now milk bar) and the garages, being the building marked B-1, B-2 and B-3 on Plan 6012828(A), endorsed by the Chairperson, Historic Buildings Council and held by the Director, Historic Buildings Council, but excluding the perimeter wall.
2. All of the land described in Memorial No. 965 Book 551 and Memorial No. 836 Book 551, being portion of suburban Section Number 70, in the Parish of Jika Jika, marked L-1 on Plan 6012828(B), endorsed by the Chairperson, Historic Buildings Council and held by the Director, Historic Buildings Council.)
[Victoria Government Gazette No. G25 29 June 1995 p.1679]
Year Construction Started
1936
VHR Registration
June 29, 1995
Architectural Style
Interwar Period (c.1919-c.1940) Moderne Mid-Twentieth Century (1940-60) International
Architect
Overend, Best
Heritage Act Categories
Registered place
Category

Residential buildings (private)