Holgar & Holgar: An archive of architectural genius
Through the sands and bricks of time, few architects have such a baseline of opulence as John and Helen Holgar – specialists in mid-to-late 20th-century architecture. Now, with Apartment 6 inside one of their classics – 70 Orrong Crescent – back on the market with Gary Peer agents Nikki Janover and Joel Ser, the waves of nostalgia have hit our team strong. So, what better time to reflect on this couple who raised the bar for Melbourne’s luxury homes – forever?
Two visionaries destined to co-create
Holgar & Holgar – a visionary architecture firm – was formed in 1959 by the dynamic Polish duo, John and Helen Holgar.
Both trained in mid-modern century architecture at the University of Rome in Italy, this husband-and-wife team reshaped Melbourne's post-WW2 housing landscape, elevating the expectations of homebuyers to new heights.
After graduating, but before they journeyed Down Under, John and Helen gained invaluable experience with some of London’s biggest architecture firms. But several years later, it was time for a change. So they packed up and settled in Melbourne. The year was 1951.
Fast forward another six years – and John and Helen entered an Ideal House contest, winning with a severely modernist flat-roof glass box.
The industry was abuzz with their bold style, so John decided to capitalise on the interest, starting his own firm in 1958. A year later, Helen came on board – and Holgar & Holgar was officially formed.
It was an interesting start for the two. Respected and admired by fellow architects – yet snuffed at by architectural journalists – it took them a while to gain a foothold.
But once Melbourne’s elite caught on, their movement quickly took off.
For many years until their passing, Helen and John provided a level of grandeur that Melburnians revered, ensuring they remain known as some of the most masterful visionaries in our local history.
Luxury that continues to excite the elite
Today, the industry and buyers still become enthralled when a Holgar & Holgar design comes on the market. And it’s not hard to see why.
Their architecture was synonymous with pure opulence – grand spiral staircases, cabanas, conversation pits and gold-plated taps. Nothing was unobtainable. Nor too much.
This bold approach allowed them to explore a range of forms and shapes. Sleekly incorporating subtly curved surfaces, hexagonal master bedrooms, diamond-shaped balconies and in one abode, a trapezoid dressing room.
Anything to add spectacle and intrigue – and give the owner a sense of unique luxury.
But while every home had its own patented flavour, some elements remained cohesive across all of John and Helen’s builds. They routinely incorporated a selection of gold finishes and decorative motifs. And of course, their iconic signature curvilinear exterior.
This allowed all who witnessed the building to know, they were indeed gazing upon a Holgar & Holgar design.
Daring designs all over Victoria
If you were in Melbourne in the ’60s and devoted to luxury, chances were high that you had ties to the Holgar & Holgar name.
Their masterpieces were erected all over the city from Caulfield to the Mornington Peninsula, with some clients even enlisting them for multiple homes.
Because why not have a holiday home that speaks to the same level of grandeur and sophistication?
Then there was John and Helen’s own home: 6 Eaglemont Crescent, Eaglemont, built on the prestigious Mount Eagle Estate in the 1960s. A classic linear modernist house with terrazzo floors, five bedrooms, three marble-wrapped bathrooms and a swirling staircase to a terrace that aptly looks out over the city, this home spared no expense.
It’s a truly masterful piece of architecture and design, with a beautiful balance of form and function that sits high over the Melbourne landscape – just as the Holgars’ legacy would suggest.
A new opportunity in Orrong Crescent
Don’t assume getting your hands on one of these architectural gems is off-limits. Because now, one of their eye-capturing designs is back on the market.
The Orrong Crescent oval apartments were constructed in 1967-68, with all the striking features buyers have come to know and love about the Holgar & Holgar signature design.
Named Fountain Court, this striking example of post-WW2 modernism is distinguished by its concave design – a bold new take on John and Helen’s love for curvilinear exteriors.
This rare gem in the City of Glen Eira boasts a unique and intricate fenestration, alternating balconies and plenty of contrasting textures, giving it an air of luxury and intrigue.
So, with this Holgar & Holgar classic on the market, one can’t help but walk through with a touch of nostalgia and awe. And plenty of admiration for the one-of-a-kind visionaries who made their mark on the Melbourne architecture scene.
We continue to thank Helen and John for bringing the good people of Melbourne what we deserve. The best.
