Alkira House, Melbourne

I suppose it isn't good form to complain that there are too many trees in the streets of my home town of Melbourne. The problem is, I can't get a clear photo of one of my favourite Melbourne buildings, Alkira House.

Alkira House is a beautiful little building with a facade of black and green faience tiles and a large section of glass bricks. It is wedged between it's taller neighbours and probably goes unnoticed by many Melbournians.

The building was designed by architect James Wardrop and constructed in 1937.

The rounded roofline is topped with a spectacularly sculpted pediment which serves as a wonderful support to the ubiquitous Art Deco flag pole.

I'm not a coffee drinker but if you are around Queen St, I would recommend a visit to the Art Deco Cafe at No. 18, Alkira House just because it is a fabulous building.