Built on the former site of the Barker railway station in 1960 and designed by architect Bernard Evans, the California Motel consists of 82 rooms and was designed to have a glamorous Californian feel in keeping with contemporary Melbourne design, and pulled it off quite well. In its later years it came equipped with all the mod-cons; broadband and wifi internet access, Foxtel and was one of the first motels in Australia to have a choice of various themed rooms.
In 2009 Thorn Holdings, a company owned by the Pratt family received approval to demolish the former motel and build a 5 story $42 million dollar aged care facility. Work on the facility was due to start this year but is yet to begin.
Parking in a rather exclusive residential street, we walked down to the rear entrance to the motel, conveniently the gate was ajar so in we went under the watchful eyes of a curious elderly neighbour. The blue colour scheme had been ‘redone’ by vandals in colourful graffiti, not a wall was left untouched. The long room filled buildings just seemed to stretch on over the site into the distance, among the graffiti and destruction were a few gems, several original fittings remained in good condition, and looked like they hadn’t been updated since the 60’s.
Curve.
Destroyed.
Void.
Barred.
Fractured.
Microsoft.
Beauty In Decay.
Lean.
Stain.
Genie.
Motel Hell.
Vacancy.
In 2009 Thorn Holdings, a company owned by the Pratt family received approval to demolish the former motel and build a 5 story $42 million dollar aged care facility. Work on the facility was due to start this year but is yet to begin.
Parking in a rather exclusive residential street, we walked down to the rear entrance to the motel, conveniently the gate was ajar so in we went under the watchful eyes of a curious elderly neighbour. The blue colour scheme had been ‘redone’ by vandals in colourful graffiti, not a wall was left untouched. The long room filled buildings just seemed to stretch on over the site into the distance, among the graffiti and destruction were a few gems, several original fittings remained in good condition, and looked like they hadn’t been updated since the 60’s.
Curve.
Destroyed.
Void.
Barred.
Fractured.
Microsoft.
Beauty In Decay.
Lean.
Stain.
Genie.
Motel Hell.
Vacancy.
Thanks for looking.
