Number 55 is a three storey building presenting an asymmetrical facade to the street and exhibiting an understated marriage of Modern and Georgian details in salmon coloured brick. The facade is dominated by a facetted entry rising through the full height of the building with quoins and keystone devices realised in decorative brick around the ground floor entry. Detailing to windows and balconies draws from more contemporary sources with finely detailed steel glazing bars and railings.
This is part of a cluster of apartment buildings including the neighbouring block at No. 53, and the two blocks at Nos. 29 and 37, as well as the apartments behind in Garden Avenue. All were designed by I.G. Anderson bewteen 1938 and 1941. The area must have been a hive of activity. The building is almost a mirror image of its partner, No. 53, but uses straight lines and angles, whereas the balcnonies of the neighbouring building exhibit the curving lines more typical of the moderne style. Anderson used a similar scheme at Nos 29 and 37. The two buildings are united by the horizontal elements of both buildings especially the window glazing. A Georgian look has been introduced with the arched portico. 'I. G. Anderson (1890-1963) spent many years living in Geelong, where he most likely grew up, married and had a family, and later lived in Melbourne. During the war, he was the architect for the American army, mainly redesigning buildings for weapons storage. He was well known to General Douglas MacArthur. He moved to Hobart with his wife in the late 1940s, where he worked as an architect, mainly designing hotels and motels. In Hobart he was also well known as an artist and as an alderman. He designed the Hobart Coat of Arms.' (1) An advertisement in the Argus in 1946 is a reminder of the times: 'EXCHANGE - A returned P.O.W. - for health reasons requires a Modern House or Flat near sea ... Can offer in exchange small Modern Upstairs Front Flat, furn., H.W.S., refrig., in desirable situation. Apply, letter only, Flat 4, 55 George Street, East Melbourne.'
Owners: 1941-1975+: Aline Isabel Thiessen and Olive Grace Thiessen
(1) Information courtesy of Jill Smith: http://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/catalogues/artist/619105/iliffe-g... City of Melbourne i-Heritage database: https://ex.melbourne.vic.gov.au/iheritageweb/BIF.asp?HeritageId=1768MCC Building permit number 21594, held at the PRO. City of Melbourne Rate Books, Albert Ward. First entry 1943. Argus, 27 Apr 1946, p.28