Shop and residence row, later also Rinaldis cafe Molina’s Café d’Italia, Café Latin, Marchetti’s Latin, 53-57 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Shop and residence row, later also Rinaldis cafe Molina’s Café d’Italia, Café Latin, Marchetti’s Latin, 53-57 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105672
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:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2022:__________________________________________________Period: VictorianConstruction date: c1880-1Associations: Rinaldis 1901-12; Molina family as Molina’s Café d’Italia 1922 to 1951; David Triaca - Café Latin 1964 to 1984; Bill and Cheryl Marchetti as Marchetti’s Latin from 1984-2001..CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?The row of shops at 53-57 Lonsdale Street, completed c1880-81.Elements that contribute to the significance of the place include (but are not limited to):· The building’s original external form, materials and detailing;· The buildings high level of integrity to its original design;· Simple parapet;· Engaged pilasters with scroll detail and decorative markings;· Deep moulded cornice with rosettes;· Segmented arched window openings with moulded architraves;· Minor cornice connecting spring point of window arches;· Original wall vents;· Double hung timber windows;· Minor moulded cornice at bottom of upper façade; and· Brick chimneys.Later alterations made to the street level façade, the wrought iron window baskets and single storey extensions at the rear of the site are not significant.How it is significant?53-57 Lonsdale Street is of local historic, representative and associative significance to the City of Melbourne.Why it is significant?53-57 Lonsdale Street is historically significant for its links with Melbourne Italian restauranteur families who conducted eating houses in the building from 1901 to 2001.These families included the Rinaldis (1901-12), the Molinas (1922-51), and the Triacas (1964-84). The building is historically significant for its demonstration of the flourishing Italian café society that developed in the first decades of the twentieth century prior to Italian migrants establishing restaurants and pizza cafes in the inner-city area in the 1950s and 1960s. The influence of Italian culture upon Australian culinary traditions continues to have enduring presence and value in Melbourne today. (Criterion A) 53-57 Lonsdale Street is a fine example of a small-scaled shop and residence from the mid-late Victorian period, built at a time when Melbourne was developing rapidly as a retail and commercial centre. 53-57 Lonsdale Street is a modest example of the work of noted civic and institutional architects Crouch and Wilson, whose practice operated in Melbourne between 1854-1881. The façade of 53-57 Lonsdale street is characterised by classical Victorian-era detailing with paired segmented arched windows, pilasters, scrolls and cornice detail typical of the period. The rear facades and chimneys are largely intact and contribute to the building’s integrity. (Criterion D) 53-57 Lonsdale Street is significant for its long association with Italian restaurants, restauranteurs and their clientele for nearly a century (1901-2001) as part Melbourne dining traditions, serving generations of Melbournians and reflecting the celebrated ‘Italianisation’ of food and wine culture during the twentieth century. It is significant for its direct and long-standing associations with several important Italian restaurateurs/families who have significantly influenced Melbourne’s culinary culture, and who introduced new cuisines and dining styles to Melbourne. From 1922 to 1951 the Molina family operated Molina’s Café d’Italia at the subject site, and for some time lived at the upstairs residence. David Triaca ran Café Latin at the subject site from 1964 to 1984, followed by Bill and Cheryl Marchetti trading as Marchetti’s Latin from 1984-2001. (Criterion H)Primary source Hoddle Grid Heritage Review (Context & GJM Heritage, 2020.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM.eMelbourne web siteCafé LatinThe Café Latin was originally a dining room established above a wine shop at 206 Exhibition Street c. 1920. In its first decade it was run by a succession of restaurateurs including Filippo Navaretti and Reuben Massoni before Camillo Triaca began his reign. Initially popular with a bohemian crowd, the Latin was one of Melbourne's finest Italian restaurants. It closed in 1955 but was re-established in 1962 by David Triaca at 55 Lonsdale Street. From 1984 it became Marchetti's Latin, before finally closing in 2001. Camillo Triaca and the old Latin are described in Hal Porter's Watcher on the cast-iron balcony (London, 1963)..CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWSignificance· Historical and associative significance for its links with Melbourne Italian restauranteur families the Rinaldis, Molinas, and Triacas and Marchettis, who conducted eating houses in the building from 1901-2001, and who have significantly influenced Melbourne’s culinary culture.· Significant as a representative example of a small-scale shop and residences from the mid-late Victorian period.
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Research and reports
Record number:
1249600
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105672 | 1 JPEG : 480 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |