James Buxton & Co. stationers and gallery, 119-121 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
James Buxton & Co. stationers and gallery, 119-121 Swanston Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 109269
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1885-6;ASSOCIATIONS: Buxton, J T;DESIGNER: Law, Walter Scott;BUILDER: Martin, Charles H (Pt Melbourne).GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceGraeme Butler 1985-HistoryThe Howey estate encompassed many valuable freeholds, including this site which held two modest brick shops prior to the construction of these grand five level shops and offices by 1886. Architects, Nathaniel Billing & Son and Carlton builder, James Sutherland, provided the plans and execution of what was then the block's tallest building. James Buxton & Co., stationers, were the major tenants during the late 1880s and early 1890s, along with James Spicer & Sons (qv) paper merchants. Buxton's private gallery, conducted in this building since its erection, was the scene of the historic '9 x 5 Impressionist Exhibition' in August 1889, which publicised the work of the emerging 'Heidelberg School' of Impressionist painters and outraged many art critics. The gallery was used for numerous other exhibitions and related functions. By the late 1890s the Artistic Stationary Co., importers and makers of every article connected with drawing, painting and the like arts (and noted as in liquidation by 1899) had replaced Buxton. Sharing the premises was the 'Talma Studio' run by Barrie & Weedon.DescriptionDecidedly French in inspiration, the elevation had large glazed areas set in an almost skeletal frame, Rococo cement ornamentation and a broad crown-like slate roof. Like a stretched Hotel Dieu (at Lyon, by Souffiot, 1748), it follows in the French Neo-Classical tradition, with balustraded parapet, superposed pilasters and a fine graduation of opens, from arcade to attic. Fruit, swags and vigorous plant growth, wrought in cement, attempt to enliven the strict regularity of the fenestration.SignificanceA milestone in the introduction of French Renaissance revival designs to Melbourne (see Princess Theatre, 1887 -), the building if not the gallery where the historic 9 x 5 exhibition was held, may mark Buxton's allegiance to French art and architecture (as probable the commissioning tenant) and one of a diverse but distinctive architectural group built on the Howey Estate.'.Graeme Butler 2012What is significant?(revised by Graeme Butler 2012, see 1992 review citation)Architect J S Law and Port Melbourne builder, C.H Martin, provided the plans and execution of what was then the block's tallest building. for James Buxton & Co., stationers who occupied the building during the late 1880s and 1890s, along with James Spicer & Sons (qv) paper merchants. Buxton's private gallery, conducted in this building since its erection, was the scene of the historic '9 x 5 Impressionist Exhibition' in August 1889, which publicised the work of the emerging 'Heidelberg School' of Impressionist painters and outraged many art critics. The gallery was used for numerous other exhibitions and related functions. By the late 1890s Buxton's Artistic Stationary Co., (`importers and makers of every article connected with drawing, painting and the like arts' and noted as in liquidation by 1899) was still there. Sharing the premises was the 'Talma Studio' run by Barrie & Weedon.Decidedly French in inspiration, the elevation had large glazed areas set in an almost skeletal frame, Rococo cement ornamentation and a broad crown-like slate roof. Like a stretched Hotel Dieu (at Lyon, by Souffiot, 1748), it follows in the French Neo-Classical tradition, with balustraded parapet, superposed pilasters and a fine graduation of opens, from arcade to attic. Fruit, swags and vigorous plant growth, wrought in cement, attempt to enliven the strict regularity of the fenestration.How is it significant?Why is it significant?A milestone in the introduction of French Renaissance revival designs to Melbourne (see Princess Theatre, 1887), the building if not the gallery where the historic 9 x 5 exhibition was held, may mark Buxton's allegiance to French art and architecture..CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWWHAT IS SIGNIFICANTThe commercial building, Buxton’s at 119-121 Swanston Street, built in 1885 for James ThomasBuxton for his artistic stationery business is significant.HOW IT IS SIGNIFICANT119-121 Swanston Street is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Melbourne. It hasa special association with James Thomas Buxton. It is representative of Boom style architecture inMelbourne and has potential research value as an archaeological site. It has a special associationwith the Heidelberg school of art.WHY IT IS SIGNIFICANTBuxton’s building at 119-121 Swanston Street is historically significant as an artistic complexcontaining a stationery store, gallery space, meeting rooms for societies and clubs, an artisticphotographic studio and classrooms for art lessons. It was a purpose built artistic hub designed tocater for many and varied activities. It is historically significant as on of the first buildings in Melbourneto be equipped with modern hydraulic lifts.119-121 Swanston Street, built in 1885 as Buxton's Building, is of historic significance as a purpose builtbusiness and warehouse premise constructed for artistic stationery merchant and galleryproprietor, J T Buxton. Buxton's gallery, conducted in the building from 1885, has historicalsignificance as the site of the famous 9 x 5 Impressionism Exhibition of 1889 by members of whatwas to become known as the Heidelberg School of Australian art. The exhibition is acknowledged asthe forum that brought these artists public attention and critical acclaim. (Criterion A)The site is part of the archaeological resources of the central city and has research value as aninventoried site. These sites have the potential to retain relics and archaeological deposits. It is alsoassumed that such deposits have the potential to yield knowledge not from other sources which maycontribute meaningfully to our understanding of settlement in Melbourne. (Criterion C)119–121 Swanston Street is an example of the Boom Style commercial buildings characterised byincreasingly rich decoration, Mannerist exaggeration of elements, the use of multiple classicalschemes overlaid one atop the other. As an example of the work of little known architect Walter ScottLaw (1852-1928) Buxton’s it is one of a number of elaborate Boom Style residences built for apredominantly Jewish clientele in Carlton and other inner suburbs. (Criterion D)119-121 Swanston Street is significant for its elaborate Victorian façade, which incorporates variousclassical elements including engaged pilasters with capital details running the full height of the upperfaçade; a variety of arched and squared window openings which are consistent across each level butvary between levels; deep decorative cornices between the levels, accentuated between levels threeand four; and a band of recessed name plates between levels two and three. The building issignificant for its a slate clad mansard roof with decorative features including three small half roundwindows, inset with small circular glazing; a decorative iron balustrade at the top of the roof and anelaborately decorated cornice runs below the roof line. (Criterion E)119 Swanston Street is associated with the impressionist group of painters who formed the‘Heidelberg School’ that grew out of a close-knit Melbourne circle that included Frederick McCubbin,Tom Roberts, Charles Conder and Arthur Streeton. While famous for their plein air style of romanticnationalistic landscapes, the city was also a subject of impressionist art including Tom Roberts’Bourke Street (c.1885-86) and Arthur Streeton’s The National Game (1889), set in Yarra Park. TomRoberts' epic work, The Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia (1903),depicting the interior of the Exhibition Building.Buxton’s Building at 119-121Swanston Street is associated with Geelong-born James ThomasBuxton (1856-1930) (Figure 461), who conducted a stationery business in Melbourne for many years.Buxton is a significant figure as a representative of Latrobe Ward of Melbourne City Council (1887-1897) and at the same time president of the Melbourne Benevolent Society. (Criterion H).GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDY BIFCites John & Phyllis Murphy Pty. Ltd. Architects. Historic buildings study of part of the C.B.D. Melbourne. (part 1) 1976 Report to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council covering the area bounded by Little Collins, Flinders, Spring and Elizabeth Sts. Includes `The Argus' 20.8.85/7 etc._________________________________________Victorian Heritage InventoryH7822-1742_________________________________________CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWSUMMARYThe commercial building, Buxton’s at 119-121 Swanston Street, built in 1885 for James ThomasBuxton for his artistic stationery business is significant. Buxton's gallery, conducted in the buildingfrom 1885, has historical significance as the site of the famous 9 x 5 Impressionism Exhibition of 1889by members of what was to become known as the Heidelberg School of Australian art.The site at 119-121 Swanston Street is part of Crown Allotment 9, Block 12, sold to Henry Howeyduring the first land sale in 1837 (DCLS). By 1877 and until 1885, the site was occupied by a threestoreybuilding that housed Mrs Jane Salthouse’s fruiterer and confectioner, and Charles N Beere’sbookstore and stationery (S&Mc 1884).Buxton’s Art Gallery: 1885-1900In 1885, the current building at 119-121 Swanston Street (originally numbered 69-71 SwanstonStreet) was erected and named ‘Buxton’s Art Gallery’ after the owner James Thomas Buxton. Earlier,Buxton had his businesses in Swanston and Collins streets, but more extensive premises wererequired as the business expanded (Table Talk 20 November 1885:11).In January 1885, W S Law, architect, then trading at 82 Collins Street West, invited tenders for ‘theerection of six-storey business premises for Mr J T Buxton’ (Argus 29 January 1885:7). In March1885, the building application was lodged with the City of Melbourne (MCC Registration No.1376,retrieved from Miles Lewis Architectural Index). The work was carried out at a cost of £7000 byCharles N Martin, 121 Graham Street, South Melbourne, and was opened on 21 October in the sameyear (Table Talk 20 November 1885:11; Australian Prints + Printmaking).Local newspaper Table Talk celebrated the opening of Buxton’s building (Figure 459), praising thequality of the architecture:The street architecture of the city of Melbourne has recently been enhanced by thecompletion of the noble building… It is of colossal height; 110 feet and is one of the mostconspicuous buildings of which Melbourne boasts…The building is in graceful Italian style,and from its great height the view of Melbourne and suburbs, Port Philip Bay, and thesurrounding country is exceedingly fine (Table Talk 20 November 1885:11).Consisting of five levels and a top attic storey, Buxton’s building was opened as an artistic complexthat contained;• Buxton’s Artistic Stationery Company on the ground, fourth and fifth floors;• a gallery space as well as meeting rooms for societies and clubs on the first floor;• an artistic photographic studio run by Louis Grouzelle on the second floor; and• classrooms for art lessons to be provided by the principal artists and teachers on the thirdfloor (Table Talk 20 November 1885:11).‘Buxton’s Artistic Stationery Company’ supplied artists’ materials and stationery as well as artdecorations and fancy gifts and goods (Table Talk 20 November 1885:11).Built during the land boom of the 1880s, the ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ era was reflected in the exteriorand the height of the building, and also in the interior which was well-fitted and was one of the firstbuildings in Melbourne equipped with modern hydraulic lifts:The operating rooms contain all the newest and most effective appliances…mosthandsomely furnished. Two marble entrances lend respectively to the art and stationerywarehouse on the ground floor, and by a handsome staircase of Malmsbury stone to thestudio, picture gallery, and club rooms above. The very latest improvements, in the shapeof hydraulic lifts, has been supplied by Messrs Hughes, Pye and Ridby, of SouthMelbourne, and all the doors are made to open and close automatically, as the differentstages are reached (Table Talk 20 November 1885:11).Buxton’s Art Gallery played an important role in the Melbourne art scene at the end of nineteenthcentury. The gallery showed the Australian landmark exhibition 9 x 5 Impression Exhibition in August1889, featuring the open-air paintings by Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, Arthur Streeton andFrederick McCubbin that had such a profound impact on Australian art. The aforementioned artistswere prominent figures in the Heidelberg School and contributed to the development of AustralianImpressionism, a movement which sought to depict the unique qualities of Australian landscape,distinguishing them from contemporaneous European movements. These artists are regarded assome of the first proponents of a distinct Australian visual style. Within the context of Buxton’sgallery also hosted the First Annual Exhibition of the Australian Artists’ Association (September 1886),the Fifth Annual Exhibition of Paintings by Lady Amateurs and Artists (December 1886), and theAustralian Artists’ Association, Summer Exhibition (March 1887) (APP n.d.).Buxton’s Art Gallery was also commonly known as ‘Buxton’s Buildings’ or ‘Buxton’s Rooms’, with thelatter named on the cover of the 9 x 5 Impression Exhibition catalogue (Figure 460).In July 1886, there was a gas explosion at Buxton’s shop, which severely injured one of Buxton’semployees, however the building was not seriously damaged. (Age 19 July 1886:6). The premiseswere again impacted by a fire in January 1890, which mostly damaged the interior of the ground floorand the top storey (Australasian 11 January 1890:28).In the early 1890s, affected by the economic depression of the time, Buxton’s Artistic StationeryCompany experienced a downturn in business. The fourth and fifth levels were subsequently alteredand leased as individual artist studios in the period 1892-98 (S&Mc 1892-1898). Between 1894 and1898, the Artistic Stationery Company was closed due to bankruptcy (Age 10 August 1894:3). Thename ‘Buxton’s Art Gallery’ remained until 1900, when Buxton left for South Africa to start a newbusiness.Talma Building: 1903-currentFrom 1903, the building at 119-121 Swanston Street was named the ‘Talma Building’ (or ‘TalmaHouse’) in the Sands & McDougall Street Directories (S&Mc 1903-1942). Managed by Andrew Barrieand Henry Weedon, by the end of the 1890s commercial photographic studio 'Talma & Co’ occupiedthe majority of space in the building, when it was still known as ‘Buxton’s Art Gallery’. Although Talma& Co had moved to another site at 79 Swanston Street by the 1930s, the name ‘Talma Building’remains in use today (S&Mc 1928-1932; CoMMaps).Later tenants in the period 1911-42 in the upper storey spaces included tailors (Andrew Williams andM Hirsh & Sons), beauty salons (Miss Daisy, L M Stones, Julius Burman, Janaud Maison, andWaratah Salon), and photographers (Andre Studios and Star Studio) (S&Mc 1911-1942).Between the 1900s and mid-1920s the ground floor shop was associated with draperies, includingJob & Co (1901-mid-1910s) and H Rayner’s ladies’ drapery (early 1920s). From the mid-1920s,Astoria Café occupied the space through to mid-century (S&Mc 1903-1942).In May 1970, the Talma Building was sold to ‘disclosed investors’ for $360,000. The ground floor andbasement were occupied by City Discount Fashions at that time (Age 27 May 1970:3).By the early 1990s, the property was in the ownership of the City of Melbourne Council, whoproposed to refurbish three levels that were in a run-down condition as residential studio apartmentsto encourage more people to live in the city (Age 1 November 1992). The refurbishment wascompleted around mid-1993. Two apartments were built in each of the upper three floors, with a viewoverlooking the Town Hall and Swanston Street. The display unit was designed by Maria Panettierifrom Geyer Design and furnished by Country Road. The offered weekly rents were between $110 and$150 on a two-year contract (Age 28 July 1993:52; Age August 1993:32).Today, the Talma Building contains two shops and six residential properties. The residences areaccessed from the rear of the building from Presgrave Place (CoMMaps).James Thomas BuxtonBorn in 1856 in Geelong, J T Buxton (see Figure 461) conducted a stationery business in Melbournefor many years. In 1887, he was elected to the Melbourne City Council (Latrobe Ward) and was amember of the council for 10 years. He was also president of the Melbourne Benevolent Society. In1901, he went to Pretoria, South Africa, where he was closely associated with the Trades and LabourCouncil while running the stationery business. He also worked as a journalist. He returned to Australiain 1913, and settled in Lees Avenue, Enfield, NSW. J T Buxton died at the Western Suburbs Hospitalin Sydney in October 1930. He was survived by a widow and seven children (Evening News, NSW 11October 1930:1; Argus 20 October 1930:8).Walter Scott Law, architectEnglish-born architect Walter Scott Law (1852-1928) came to Melbourne in 1869 aged 18. There isnot much written about Law’s life, however, commencing his career as an architect and buildingcontractor in the early 1880s, he soon became a renowned architect in the City of Melbourne andsurrounding areas. Undertaking many commissions for Carlton Jewish clients, many of Law’sprominent projects were located in Carlton, a Jewish stronghold in the late nineteenth century(Register of National Estate ID5289).Law designed many boom-style or Classicist and Renaissance Revivalist buildings during his practicein Australia between 1880 and c1897. His surviving works include:• the Bank of Victoria (former) at 295 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, 1883 (City of PortPhillip HO440);• the Biltmore building at 152 Bridport Street, Albert Park, 1887-89 (City of Port Phillip HO62,VHR H0475);• Rathgael (The Willows) at 462 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1890 (City of Melbourne HP254,VHR H0096);• Drummond Terrace at 93-1055 Drummond Street, Carlton, 1890-91 (City of MelbourneHO39, VHR H0872);• Medley Hall at 44 Drummond Street, Carlton, 1892 (City of Melbourne HO38, VHR H0409);• Terrace row at 27-35 Kerferd Road, Albert Park, 1892 (City of Port Phillip HO342, VHRH1831); and• Rosaville (or Benvenuta) at 46-56 Drummond Street, Carlton, 1892 (City of Melbourne HO1,HO37 & HO38, VHR H0409).Law was a long-time resident of South Melbourne, where he established his own firm in the early1880s (S&Mc 1884). Law Street in South Melbourne was named after him (Record, Emerald Hill 25January 1939:8).In 1897, Law emigrated to Cape Town, South Africa, where he continued his architectural practice.He died at a hospital in South Africa on 1 August 1928 (Building Engineering and Mining Journal 6March 1897:56; Ancestry)._________________________________________LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:W.S. Law.Tenders wanted for business premises in Swanston St., for Mr J.T. Buxton. Argus 24.1.1885, p 11W.S. Law 82 Collins St. design of Artistic Stationery Company's (Buxton's) new premises in Swanston St. opp. Town Hall Illus. Perspective. A'asia Sketch 21.10.1885, p 163_________________________________________i-Heritage(attribution error)`The Howey estate encompassed many valuable freeholds, including this site which held two modest brick shops prior to the construction of these grand five level shops and offices by 1886. Architects, Nathaniel Billing & Son and Carlton builder, James Sutherland, provided the plans and execution of what was then the block's tallest building. James Buxton & Co., stationers, were the major tenants during the late 1880s and early 1890s, along with James Spicer & Sons (qv) paper merchants. Buxton's private gallery, conducted in this building since its erection, was the scene of the historic '9 x 5 Impressionist Exhibition' in August 1889, which publicised the work of the emerging 'Heidelberg School' of Impressionist painters and outraged many art critics. The gallery was used for numerous other exhibitions and related functions. By the late 1890s the Artistic Stationary Co., importers and makers of every article connected with drawing, painting and the like arts (and noted as in liquidation by 1899) had replaced Buxton. Sharing the premises was the 'Talma Studio' run by Barrie & Weedon.Description/Notable Features Notable features include elaborate/high standard design of cement rendered surfaces; unusual French roofline. Decidedly French in inspiration, the elevation had large glazed areas set in an almost skeletal frame, Rococo cement ornamentation and a broad crown-like slate roof. Like a stretched Hotel Dieu (at Lyon, by Souffiot, 1748), it follows in the French Neo-Classical tradition, with balustraded parapet, superposed pilasters and a fine graduation of opens, from arcade to attic. Fruit, swags and vigorous plant growth, wrought in cement, attempt to enliven the strict regularity of the fenestration.Statement of Significance A milestone in the introduction of French Renaissance revival designs to Melbourne (see Princess Theatre, 1887 -), the building if not the gallery where the historic 9 x 5 exhibition was held, may mark Buxton's allegiance to French art and architecture (as probable the commissioning tenant) and one of a diverse but distinctive architectural group built on the Howey Estate.'Building Permit Application referred to in i-Heritage: 806 1884 April B= James Sutherland, A= Billing & Son, O= Mould, Burrage and Howie (sic) - suite of offices Swanston st (see also 803, 804, 805 1884 for 3 storey building same team;_________________________________________Newspapers:Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918) Sat 11 Jan 1890 Page 37MESSRS. BUXTON AND CO.'S ARTISTIC EMPORIUM.In 1890 : The first floor of the building was occupied by Messrs. Grouzelle and Co., in conjunction with Buxton and Co.; the second by Signor Beaupuis, teacher of music ; the third as the photographic studio of Messrs. Grouzelle & Co, the fourth is confined to the use of art classes; and the fifth, or dome floor, was a working room for embossing and lithographing.'
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109269 | 1 PDF : 1,624 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |