Brunswick Fire Station and Flats

The Brunswick Fire Station and Flats is a 1930s-era functional building on Blyth Street containing two vehicle bays, a watch room, and offices in the main building. An attached residential block with apartments occupies the corner of Burchett and Barningham Streets.

The station was commissioned by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade in 1937 and marked a shift away from older revivalist styles toward modern architecture. It was among the first fire stations in Victoria to adopt this new design approach.

The station displays clean lines and cubic forms that reference Dutch architecture, setting it apart visibly from earlier fire stations in the area. Visitors immediately notice the plain, modern design without unnecessary ornament.

The building continues to function as an active fire station today, maintaining its original purpose. Visitors should explore the site from outside and be mindful of the working premises when moving around the streets.

The building features a striking vertical tower that projects above the facade and holds a flag. This element visibly sets the structure apart from its surroundings and gives it strong civic prominence.