THE AEOLIAN HALL, also Robur Tea Rooms, 123 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
THE AEOLIAN HALL, also Robur Tea Rooms, 123 Swanston Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 109270
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1926;ASSOCIATIONS: The Aeolian Company (Australia) Ltd.;DESIGNER: Peck and Kemter;BUILDER: F. Frencham Pty. LtdPeriod: Inter-War.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM_________________________________________VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-1743First land sale 1837, Block 12, Allotment 9, Henry Howey. 1855 - Royal Oak Hotel.1877 - 2 & 1 storey building, Royal Oak Hotel.1888 - same1905 - 4 & 5 storey building, Royal Oak Hotel.Archeological Potential: Potential/ Disturbed Site_________________________________________CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS1926-May 12 8530 ₤16,500 alterations to warehouseDec 22 9232 Erection of shopfront …1930 March 12256 ₤2000 Alterations and additions to building…_________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1926https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3794499JulyTendersPeck and Kemtererection of 6 story reinforced concrete building Swanston St for the Aeolian Company ….The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Wed 8 Sep 1926 Page 11https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243698211?searchTerm=ROYAL%20OAK%20HOTEL%2C%20swanstonTHE AEOLIAN HALL ;Change in Swanston St.The Royal Oak Hotel In Swanston street, opposite the Town Hall, though of comparatively recent , construction, has been demolished to make way for more up-to-date. premises for the Aeolian Co. (Aust.) Ltd. The plans provide for a seven-story reinforced concrete building, com prising large shop, mechanically ventilated basement and lounges, show rooms and administrative offices on the floors above. The front elevation to Swanston street, finished lit Sandusky white cement has a large oriole throughout its height, obtaining a pleasing architectural effect. Steel windows are used throughout to minimise obstruction of light. The verandah over the show windows is to be faced with copper, and will be illuminated at night. The contract has been let to Messrs. F. Frencham Pty. Ltd., builders, for the erection of the work under the direction of Messrs. Peck and Kemtor, architects..The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Wednesday 25 August 1926 - Page 15https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243695101Company MeetingAEOLIAN CO. (AUST.) LTD.Transfer to Swanston St. in MarchPresenting the annual report and balance-sheet to the ordinary general meeting of The Aeolian Company (Australia) Ltd. today, the chairman of directors (Mr W. A. Watt) gave shareholders particulars of the new premises to which the company will remove next year. "Beginning with the assets," said Mr Watt, "an Increase of £47,649 is shown in freehold property, representing the cost of the site recently acquired in Swanston street, opposite the Town Hall, on which we are erecting a modern seven-story reinforced- concrete building."As tho lease of the promises we now occupy in Collins street expires In March next, we had to decide the question of providing a new home for our Melbourne business, which had outgrown the accommodation available. The new building will be ready for occupation before we are obliged to move. The property we have secured is well bought, and its situation, space and arrangements are ideal for our purposes.DISTINCTIVE BUILDING"Our next meeting of this nature will be In our new premises, which are being erected on what Is considered by the directors to be one of the most Important sites In Melbourne. The building will be of a distinctive type,- and, being situated in the main artery of the city, should be productive of & substantial increase in business. We expect that the removal will benefit the business of the company to such an extent that the building will pay for Itself."Cash, sundry debtors, and hire purchase accounts, show a group total of £240,362, which is an increase of £16,728 on last year. It will be observed that there has been an expansion In the hire purchase accounts, and a decline in sundry debtors, the change being mainly due to the fact that our resources being greater, we were able to grant facilities for more extended payments. At the same time, I may mention that our cash and short term sales represent well over 60 per cent, of our total business, and the soundness of our methods Is shown by the fact that losses are practically non-existent."Stock Is conservatively valued, and at £83,447 la £1219. lower than last year; while plant, fittings and furniture At £10,492, are lower by £1976. ……DULL TRADE PERIOD"As we experienced a dull period of trade early in the year, due to the smaller harvest, and fears of drought, the Directors regard this result as satisfactory. The year's trading showed a turnover increase. "We are paying 8 per cent, on both preference and ordinary shares, and are adding £10,000 to our reserves. We carry forward in profit and loss account tho sum of £9606/19/6. The general manager (Mr R. C. Held) has just returned from a visit to England and America, which was productive of substantial -benefit to the company. We pursue the policy of keeping our leading men abreast of world developments in the Instrumental business.NEW PLANT"Arrangements are In progress with the Associated Company, In London, for the establishment of a record pressing plant In the Melbourne factory, which will enable us to avoid the delays inseparable from obtaining supplies from abroad. "Records mado by the new electrical process are proving very popular, and the London management, for several months, has been experimenting in this direction in. co-operation with the Marconi Company. It is ex ported that a new record of this type will be put on the market during the next few months. "We are singularly fortunate in possessing an excellent staff, operating efficiently under Mr Reld, and the directors feel Justified In anticipating that' the business of the company will continue stable, and progressive, amid the competitive conditions that surround us."The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr Watt was re-elected as director representing holders of preference shares, and Mr L. G. Adamson was re-elected as a director for ordinary shareholders. The retiring auditors, Mr F. H. Rayment (Sydney) and Messrs Fuller, King and Treloar (Melbourne) were re-appointed..Advert…Manufacturers of the Aeolian -VOCALION- the World's Greatest Phonograph.1928https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146842596This week our local bands will be recording for the Aeolian Company at their new studio in Melbourne, Mr Joe Aronson's band is among the combinations engaged, so the duality is righthttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150929840`…mechanism was demonstrated in a wonderful experience arranged by the Aeolian Company at the Melbourne Town Hall last week in the form of a concert. We certainly had the University Symphony Orchestra, under Professor Bernard Heinze, and the singing of Madam Gregor Wood, and the violin solos of Miss Margery Smith, but the great thing of the evening was the wonderful demonstration of the Duo-Art piano. This piano plays by the aid of electricity, and we actually heard Percy Grainger giving the piano part of a Tchaikovsky pianoforte concerto, with the visible orchestra supplying the support." Then it played the accompaniments to Madam G, Wood's songs and Miss Smith's solos. It was a little uncanny to hear, and it is very wonderful. Afterwards there was a descriptive- film, which conveyed some idea of how the magic of this auto piano performance is achieved..DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1930123 The Aeolian Company (Aust) Ltd.
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109270 | 1 JPEG : 795 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |