Apartment towers are set ot rise up either side of the Melbourne Anarchist Club.
The home of Melbourne's anarchists will soon be overshadowed by the might of capitalist developers.
Two apartments rising up six levels are set to tower either side of the Northcote headquarters of the Melbourne Anarchists Club, with prospective residents able to keep a wary eye from their balconies on activities at the club's humble, single-storey premises at 62 St Georges Road.
Past anarchist events include a benefit gig for "imprisoned Australian anti-fascist Jock Palfreeman" and the "Bulgarian Prisoners' Rehabilitation Association," as well as a "F--- the Budget: Punk Rock at the MAC" concert.
Just how comfortably the anarchist mantra of creating a "classless, non-hierarchical society; that is, a society without rulers," will sit with its new well-heeled neighbours, remains to be seen.
After all: "an anarchist society can only be achieved through direct action; that is, through forms of social struggle unmediated by political authority [government]," the group espouses on its website.
Prospective residents of the new apartments will have to fork out a minimum of $515,000 for a two-bedroom flat in one building, a 32-unit complex called Mayven. The other, the MAP Architecture-designed 37-unit St George complex, will rise five levels and has two bedders starting at $520,000.
"We 'own' the building in trust for the Anarchist community of Melbourne. Not going anywhere!" club member Dave Saxton said in an online forum.
"Surprised they demolished the facade of the factory [next door], we thought it was to be preserved. Hopefully the building doesn't get damaged during the excavation."
