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Fed Square and Advertising: Finding the Right Balance
How do heritage places manage advertising? James Lesh on recent debates at Fed Square.
16 hours ago2 min read
Rocking Heritage and Stained Tiled Debates: In the Media
James Lesh has rocked heritage and discussed stained tiles in public space in recent media interviews.
Feb 132 min read
Abandoned Buildings and Heritage Places
Restore, rebuild or raze? Debate rages over the fate of our grand old buildings!
Aug 10, 20231 min read
We must protect Melbourne’s 20th-century heritage – here’s how to do it right
The City of Maribyrnong has abandoned its local heritage protections for interwar and postwar housing in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Why?
Jul 14, 20234 min read
Slave names have no place in modern Melbourne
The City of Moreland in Melbourne’s inner north is named after the late 18th-century Jamaican slave plantation of the McCrae family. Including the suburbs of Brunswick, Coburg and Pascoe Vale, the municipality’s name valorises slavery and colonialism. Moreland’s councillors are considering a new name for the local government area after being made aware of the links.
Dec 2, 20213 min read
Towers, freeways, green bans: In the Media
Media interviews on towers in Melbourne, the Eastern Freeway, and Jack Mundey.
Nov 30, 20201 min read
Royal Exhibition Building: This symbol of the past must also reflect our present and future
The Royal Exhibition Building could be a key historic landmark of post-pandemic Melbourne.
Nov 13, 20203 min read
Award for Public Space and Cultural Heritage Advocacy At Fed Square
James Lesh wins award with Citizens for Melbourne for Our City, Our Square campaign from Australian Institute of Architects.
Jul 14, 20203 min read
Why heritage protection is about how people use places, not just their architecture and history
Social value and people-centred heritage has evolved to become more central to conservation practice.
Jul 9, 20205 min read
Treasury Square: One of Melbourne's worst planning mistakes at risk of being repeated
A development proposal for the Jolimont railyards has the potential to be one of the biggest planning mistakes in Melbourne in a generation.
Jul 3, 20205 min read
Road to nowhere? (on the Eastern Freeway heritage listing)
Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway is likely to be state heritage listed next year. Heritage Victoria has identified it as aesthetically and historically important. But should freeways be managed within the heritage system? Or is a freeway the kind of 20th century relic which we should be prepared to let go of?
Jan 16, 20204 min read
How can a place be heritage-listed after 17 years? What it means for Melbourne’s Fed Square
Federation Square in Melbourne has been listed on the Victorian state heritage register just 17 years after its completion.
Aug 28, 20195 min read
Flammable cladding and building standards in the city
Failures of historical proportions have led to the flammable cladding crisis in Melbourne.
Mar 25, 20194 min read
Once a building is destroyed, can the loss of a place like the Corkman be undone?
Heritage principles do not recommend rebuilding demolished buildings like the Corkman pub.
Mar 13, 20195 min read
Fed Square: Apple is exploiting the power of its brand to claim an important part of our city
Five days before Christmas, it's been announced that Federation Square has been given to Apple for its flagship Melbourne store.
Dec 21, 20173 min read
Regenerating heritage at Melbourne's Rialto Towers
The Rialto precinct in Melbourne is undergoing another facelift in the coming months.
Jul 10, 20153 min read
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