Built in 1918 in the Federation style, Kew-Lodge, 22-24 Kings Cross Road, is a four-level, 19 unit apartment block.

Apartment 3 is for sale through  Angelo Bouras and Luke McDonnell. See https://www.rwebay.com.au/5044782/

It interior high ceilings, decorative plasterwork, sash windows, picture rails and wooden floor board are all indicative of the period.

Its exterior bow windows and castellated parapet mirror its buddy building, Medina Hall, adjacent, built in 1917, probably by the same architect.

Federation style was prevalent from around 1890 to 1915.The name refers to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Australia. The Federation period overlaps the Edwardian period, named after the reign of King Edward VII (1901-1910). However, as the style both preceded and extended beyond Edward’s reign, the term “Federation architecture” was coined retrospectively in 1969.

The Federation Arts and Crafts style had its origins in England, where architects were reacting to the impersonal nature of the steelworks of the Industrial Revolution. Crafts and handiwork were emphasised to give architecture the “human touch”. These influences were absorbed into Federation Australia, and can be seen in Kew-Lodge with its Olde Englishe   “castle-style” battlements atop its parapet and its mock mediaeval rough cast façade.

Kew-Lodge is now 101 years old but retains its noble place in its streetscape, close the City and amenities.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions