19 replies to this topic

[Marilyn]

Here's a full frontal image:


The information on the present day utility box says the art deco panels were taken and placed around the city.

Here is one of them:


Questions:
Can anyone guess where I found it?

Does anyone know where I can find others?

[D.L.]

That one is on Pandora at Government. Some of the others are on the McDonalds at Douglas and Broad.

[Holden West]

Here's that picture of the Kresge/Mark's and Spencer building just as the panels were being removed prior to demolition around 1987/88. McDonald's is under construction at the right:

[victorian fan]

What a great store. It didn't change much over the years. You could find all sorts of old stuff in there. They didn't seem to update their stock often.
Very, very creaky floor boards. Woolworth's was a much better and had a coffee bar.

[Marilyn]

There's one in good condition at Pandora & Government. McDonald's at View & Douglas has 11. There are 7 more to locate.

The McDonald's panels on the View side are faded and mostly covered with trees but there is a good one on Douglas Street. Why they didn't show them off more is a mystery to me. I'll post the rest of the photos tomorrow and keep looking for the other 7, that is, if they still exist.

[Marilyn]

Those were the days. i think I shopped there with my mother (we left Victoria in 1947). Notice, no impregnable bubble packages. Counters were waist high (not comfortable for pregnant women) but low enough for a six year old to see over. Kids used to get jobs there during and after high school (instead of McDonald's or Starbucks).

[Rob Randall]

The remaining panels may still be lying around in the City's Public Works Yard, with a lot of other heritage pieces. They must be rescued before they all disappear.

[Marilyn]

Should I go down there? I could get some photos and start a campaign.

As an artist don't you hate the way McDonald's altered them to match "fries with ketchup?" McDecorating...

[Caramia]

OMG I never noticed that!

[Marilyn]

Original panel colours:


The present altered McDeco at Douglas & View Streets:

[Rob Randall]

Oh, interesting. I never noticed that. It does clash compared to the nice blue.

[Caramia]

evil!

[Nparker]

While I agree that the red "frames" around the frozen fountain friezes (say that 3 times fast) is much less pleasing to the eye than the original cobalt blue, when I think of what might have happened to these beautiful pieces, it seems a minor price to pay for their preservation. As long as they exist there is hope that one day the "catsup-red" frames may be returned to their former glory, I mean how long can McD's stay in business anyway???

[Marilyn]

I didn't even relate the design to "fountains" with the bubbles too. It was just an abstract design to my eyes.

Thanks!

[Holden West]

Very Busby Berkeley.

[victorian fan]

[Marilyn]

There's one in good condition at Pandora & Government. McDonald's at View & Douglas has 11. There are 7 more to locate.

The McDonald's panels on the View side are faded and mostly covered with trees but there is a good one on Douglas Street. Why they didn't show them off more is a mystery to me. I'll post the rest of the photos tomorrow and keep looking for the other 7, that is, if they still exist.

It has been installed in the courtyard of the Leiser Lofts on Yates Street made from the former Leiser warehouses built during the gold rush.

This is the context:


The edging was removed along with the top half.



I got a chance to get up close and personal with this one so you can see the texture. I love these panels!

After taking the photo I ran into Rob. He says the other 7 panels are likely in the city yards, so that's my next trip.

[Caramia]

Awesome Quest!

[Marilyn]

Thanks Caramia!

I'm sad that more beautiful decoration like that isn't used in buildings today.

[hoi polloi]

cheers, that was a lovely thread. would like to know if other pieces were recovered.

wonderful detail-deco is a favorite era. in have noticed a few very well maintained houses, with impeccable landscaping, around the city. or was it a town...

i vaguely remember coming over here when eatons existed, marks and spencer.