Argus Building, 365-393 Elizabeth Street and 284 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Argus Building, 365-393 Elizabeth Street and 284 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103216
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
Style: Neo-BaroquePeriod: Inter-WarConstruction date: 1926Notable features: Historical association with now defunct, state-wide newspaper over 50 years (-1957).ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?`The Argus' daily newspaper was launched in 1846 and a little over 100 years later (1957) ceased to exist. Along the way it had absorbed (among others) Melbourne's first newspaper (a derivative of the `Melbourne Advertiser') and become the third major daily in the Colony. Its founder, William Kerr, first came to Melbourne to help launch the `Port Phillip Herald' (1840-) but was, within a year, conscripted by its opposition paper, Fawkner's `Patriot'. After a prolonged disagreement with his irascible proprietor, Kerr left the `Patriot' and commenced publishing `The Argus'.After its sale in 1848, the new owners (Johnston and Wilson) and gold discovery in 1851, led to `The Argus' boosting its circulation from a modest 400 to 5000 in 1852. It was described as `The Times' of Australia, by the late 1870s, when it and `The Age' were considered the two most influential in the Colony. However, both `The Argus' and `The Age ' suffered increasing competition from the tabloid, `Sun News Pictorial', reintroduced in the 1920s under the Herald & Weekly Times umbrella.The Argus Building was designed by Godfrey & Spowers in association with WH Buck and constructed by Swanson Brothers 1924-1926. When complete the whole of the Argus Building was occupied by staff of either the `Argus' or `Australasian' except the Elizabeth St ground level and part of the top or 5th floor where the Paton Advertising Service, the Melbourne offices of the `Sydney Morning Herald' and the `Sydney Mail', the `Sydney Evening News', `Women's Budget', the `Hobart Mercury' and the `Illustrated Tasmanian Mail' were located. Shops on the ground floor fronting Elizabeth street were occupied by Mr M Andreson tobacconist, Mr L T Browning tailor, William Lawrence Pty Ltd cleaners and dyers; Mr H Whitfield jeweller; and Messrs H C Madden and J C Sneddon confectioners. One-hundred Melbourne businessmen were entertained at the building's opening in the 5th floor staff dining room followed by over one-hundred of the City's newsagents, all extolling the modernity and spaciousness of the new premises. `The Argus' editorial noted the changing pattern of the City that had influenced their shift from Collins Street northwards, noting the spread of retail in all directions, particularly north along Elizabeth Street. Growing traffic congestion in the south of the City was also a factor in the relocation.However, declining circulation, particularly after World War Two, was only slightly offset by the introduction of the world's first colour daily newspaper in 1952 under a new British-based ownership (Daily Mirror newspaper group). Poor sales and the previous failure of the evening paper `The Star', in 1936, meant that even colour could not save the Argus by 1957. Adding insult to injury, the Herald & Weekly Times Ltd. purchased the Argus Building and took over the remaining periodicals, `Australian Post' and `Your Garden'. The index to `The Argus' remains as the major research option for past Victorian daily newspapers, as seen in the digital editions emanating from the National Library of Australia.In contrast to the waning dominance of `The Argus' over its opposition, the Herald & Weekly Times Ltd., architectural critics hailed the new Argus offices as superior to the contemporary reconstruction going on at the new Herald-Sun site on Flinders Street. The Argus Building was considered to be quite advanced by the Sydney periodical, `Building'. Unlike the Herald building, it was multi-storey and hence used valuable city real-estate more efficiently while allowing intra-office circulation to proceed more effectively.The Argus Building is a grand if incomplete example of the neo-Baroque style in its general form as popularised by British Edwardian classicists such as Sir Reginald Blomfield, J.J. Joass and Ernest Newton. The Morning Post newspaper offices (1907) in London, by Mewes & Davis, or the War Office in Whitehall (1906) by William Long may have been influential on the design of this building. Each possessed corner towers and giant order colonnades similar to those of the Argus office. Elsewhere in Melbourne there is the T & G Building, and more distant, Moore's Corner Store in Prahran, which also utilized these elements.Rising six main levels in a parapeted ruled stuccoed form, the two street facades differ markedly as a gesture to a modern interpretation of the classical style, with the more embellished frontage being to Elizabeth Street (65m long), with its giant Corinthian order colonnade, garlanded pier capitals, secondary cornices, panelled spandrels and the façade bays at either end. Egyptian ornament on the coved papyrus cornice of the giant colonnade and as a frieze to the main cornice, add a contemporary element paralleling with Harold Carter's opening, in November 1922, of Tutankhamen's tomb. The bowed corner and associated balconette rounds onto the more austere Latrobe Street elevation (31m long) but this is counterpoint to the ornate fenestration of the Baroque tower plinth and the tower itself (still without spire). The tower has the characteristic Baroque concave corners (as seen in Thomas Archer's St Philip, Birmingham 1709-15), paired column bays and a richly detailed cornice. The western façade is also rendered and enriched, with only the north as plain, as a reflection of the new building towering over its surroundings when built. This combination of architectural elements is not a faithful revival of Baroque precedents but instead a successful and creative assembly of traditional forms and elements that take full account of the corner site.Alterations include the new glazed entrance screen and opening created onto Latrobe Street in 1959-60, to the design of the long-time architects for the Herald & Weekly Times, Ltd., Tompkins & Shaw. Replacing a group of `punched' window openings similar to that surviving on the west of the new entrance, some attempt was made to integrate the large new opening with the surrounding architecture by simple repetition of mouldings around the reveals. The render finish has been changed superficially.This dominant corner building is made more so by its corner tower and giant stone column rows; it is also related in general period detail with the showroom to the north.How is it significant?The Argus Building is significant socially, historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?Aesthetically, the Argus Building is one of the major interwar office buildings in the City, given particular prominence by its location amongst much smaller buildings on the edge of the city. The still unfinished tower and the giant order stone columns on the Elizabeth Street façade, lend an imposing quality suitable for a major metropolitan newspaper.This is a landmark design which lacks the finesse of the T & G Building or detailing of the Nicholas Building, but nevertheless is a dominant corner presence in a fluently executed Baroque revival manner. The Argus Building received critical acclaim for its innovatory design for its use, in contrast to the massive reconstruction programme then being undertaken by the Herald & Weekly Times Ltd. in a more conservative classical manner.Historically and socially , the building is significant for housing the Argus newspaper for 30 years, and represents its major physical legacy. The Argus was one of Melbourne's three leading newspapers, all established in the founding years of the City, until its closure in 1956..RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneHistory and DescriptionThe Argus commenced publication in 1846 and enjoyed an early success which allowed it to absorb a number of smaller newspapers including the older Port Phillip Patriot which gave some credence to its claim to being Melbourne's first Newspaper. Through the nineteenth century, The Argus was prepared in premises on Collins Street opposite the Town Hall. This office was demolished and a new building erected on the same site in 1890.The expanding daily soon outgrew this new home and another, purpose built building was constructed on the northwestern corner of Elizabeth and LaTrobe Streets in 1926 to designs by Godfrey Spowers.1 The five storey building housed all the editorial and manufacturing functions required to produce The Argus and The Australasian newspapers.2 The first edition of The Argus rolled from the presses of the new facility on 28 June 1926. The Herald and Weekly Times had constructed a similar complex on Flinders Street five years earlier.The massive six storey building is a remarkably intact example of an interwar Classical design in which decorative elements are employed in a free and original manner. Each of the major facades of the building pursues a different compositional approach. On the Elizabeth street elevation multi storey columns rise from a heavy base to support the upper three storeys and cornice. The LaTrobe Street elevation adopts the disposition of a commercial palazzo with four undecorated floors sandwiched between a heavy base and cornice. The two approaches are unified by a grouping of vertical elements at the corner of the building including an unadorned shaft rising to a rooftop temple form and a curved corner element rising through the full height of the building. It had been intended to erect a clock tower atop the corner grouping bringing the height of the tower above the roof to 108 feet (almost 33m). Although it is clearly depicted in early illustrations of the building, the addition was never carried out. The building was mentioned twice in Building Magazine, before and after completion, in which the architecture was somewhat lacking .The Herald and Weekly Times Group bought the Argus newspaper along with the building in 1957 and subsequently closed the newspaper down. The building was later sold. Today it has been extensively refurbished internally and currently supports a number of small tenancies. Externally, the building is in excellent original condition except for some inappropriate signage at ground floor level and the removal of a large canopy to the Elizabeth Street elevation visible in early images of the building. Some interiors remain intact and the original Advertisement Hall (now the corner retail space is particularly notable for its scale and decoration.Statement of SignificanceThe Argus Building, designed by Godfrey Spowers and completed in 1926 is of aesthetic and historical significance at a local level as an unusual and particularly free composition of classical elements within Melbourne's CBD. The building is a particularly massive facility which dominates its prominent corner site. The building housed the staff and production areas of the Argus newspaper from 1926 until the paper's closure in 1957..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites Yuncken Freeman Architects P/L 1976.. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Melbourne CBD Study Area 5 (81), page 116- not recommended to Historic Buildings Register;.STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIAThe 'Argus' and 'Australasian' newspaper offices, 365-393 Elizabeth Street, at La Trobe Street, MelbourneDate [ca. 1924] Identifier(s) H83.75 Contributor(s) W. H. Buck, architectGodfrey & Spowers, architecthttp://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/106400.MCC i-Heritage:Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 Building Identification Form (BIF) also for 365-393 Elizabeth St: Description/Notable Features Notable features include an elaborate / high standard design of cement rendered surfaces. Entrance doors new, renovated ground level (Elizabeth Street), new window, ground (Latrobe Street) (all inappropriate - reinstate original design or sympathetic alternative) Other Comments Historical association with now defunct, state-wide newspaper over 50 (30) years..Graeme Butler 1987, Expert Evidence for AAT appeal hearing P87/1665 3 December 1987for the City of Melbourne (copy held); Graeme Butler 1990, Expert Evidence for AAT appeal hearing 20 Nov 1990 for the City of Melbourne (copy held).CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONSBuilding Permit Application 33636 28/9/1959: new floor over part ground level (banking) chamber, new glazed screen to new foyer off Latrobe St: Tompkins and Shaw, Architects for the Herald & Weekly Times Ltd..VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER - HERMES 4204The place is not of sufficient cultural heritage significance to warrant inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. However, it is of sufficient significance to warrant referral to the relevant planning authority for inclusion in a planning scheme.The former Argus building is an example of a small number of city commercial and government buildings designed in the Beaux Arts/Free Classical architectural style between the wars. The incomplete tower, removal of the original ground floor shops and cantilevered awning along Elizabeth Street, and the total gutting of the interior, save for two small areas, impact on its overall heritage significance.More intact and accomplished examples of this architectural style are already included in the heritage register viz. the former Port of Melbourne Authority Building of 1929-31(H965) and the former Mail Exchange of 1913-17 (H881), both with giant orders. As well as being a more accomplished example of the Beaux Arts/Free Classical architectural style, the registered Herald & Weekly Times building (H1147), constructed in 1921-28, already serves to represent the two major newspaper buildings constructed in Melbourne during the early part of the twentieth century..VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY1855 map - St John's Church and school on this site.1866 map - building(s) on corner and extending along Elizabeth St frontage. 1880 Panorama - large church and row of two storey shops along Elizabeth St. 1905 map - St John's Church and two storey shops to Elizabeth St..VICTORIA HERITAGE DATABASENational Trust of Australia (Vic)359-393 Elizabeth Street and 284 - 294 Latrobe Street MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITYFile Number: B7111Level: StateStatement of Significance`The Argus Building, designed by architects Godfrey Spowers, and completed in 1926, is of State historical and architectural significance.Historically, it is significant for housing the Argus newspaper for 30 years, and represents its major physical legacy. The Argus was one of Melbourne's three leading newspapers, all established the founding years of the city, until its closure in 1956.Architecturally, it is one of the major interwar office buildings in the city. It is given particular prominence by its location amongst much smaller buildings on the edge of the city, the still unfinished tower and the giant order stone columns on the Elizabeth Street façade, lending an imposing quality suitable for a major metropolitan newspaper. The building is also unusual for its original program, housing all the various functions of a newspaper. Some interiors remain intact, and the original 'Advertisement Hall' (now the corner retail space) is particularly notable for its scale and decoration.Classified: 05/03/2001, Group: Commercial, Category: Newspaper Office.Sir Banister Fletcher's `a history of architecture', on English Baroque: 1038-9.La Trobe University, Buildings & Grounds Division: Newsletter – No. 28, Autumn/Winter 2008CITY CAMPUS (ARGUS BUILDING)`The La Trobe University City Campus is being developed on the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in the Central Business District of Melbourne. The former Argus Building is being redeveloped, and significant progress has been achieved in March/ April with the completion of all underground services, the commencement of capping concrete pours, completion of the decontamination cleaning of Level 3 through to Level 7, demolition in the future café area, and the commencement of the scaffolding of the western façade.It is expected that the Café will be completed in September 2008, and the main works will be completed for occupation in September 2009'. Jim Colebatch, Deputy Director (Special Projects).NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Argus':Saturday 6 February 1926 former Argus building for sale.Friday 15 October 1926100 Melbourne businessmen inspect new building and gather at dining hall on 5th floor: told by managing director, ACC Holtz, of Australian origins of `all that could be Australian' in building..Friday 8 October 1926Similar gathering of over 100 news agents in the building..Monday 28 June 1926Company staff and equipment move this weekend, ensuring no disruption to print runs… staff glad of extra space given growth in numbers. The whole building occupied by staff except the Elizabeth St ground level while part of top or 5th floor has Paton Advertising Service the Melbourne offices of the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sydney Mail the SydneyEvening News, Women's Budget, the Hobart Mercury and the illustrated Tasmanian Mail. Shops on the ground floor fronting Elizabeth street are to be occupied by Mr M Anderson tobacconist, Mr L T Browning tailor, William Lawrence Pty Ltd cleaners and dyers; Mr H Whitfield jeweller; and Messrs H C Madden and J C Sneddon confectioners..'.Saturday 26 June 1926extensive article on changes in the City and choice of Argus site..Thursday 9 September 1926poster page of completed building as designed: `DWARFING ITS SURROUNDINGS, THE NEW BUILDING FOR "The Argus" AND "The Australasian" AT THE CORNER OF ELIZABETH AND LATROBE STREETS IS A STRIKING ADDITION TO THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE CITY OF MELBOURNE. THE TOWER IS SHOWN AS IT WILL APPEAR WHEN COMPLETED.'
Related material link:
Names:
Topics:
Places:
Form/Genre:
Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1204670
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103216 | 1 PDF : 677 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |