Atkin's shops and residences, 61-67 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Butler, Graeme15/01/1985
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Title:
Atkin's shops and residences, 61-67 Errol Street, North Melbourne
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Date of work:
15/01/1985
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 103412, 103413, 103414, 625760, 625761
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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GRAEME BUTLER 1983, CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEGrading as at 1985 : BPeriod : Early Victorian 1854-1856Grantee : George Evans 1852History- These former shops and residences were built about 1854-6. Among the many owners of these 4 buildings, Charles Atkin's name is the most prominent. He owned 67 from its construction about 1855, 63 from 1860, and 65 Errol Street from 1864, when it was amalgamated with 67. Before 1870, he had acquired 61 and the four shops remained in his possession until at least 1895, his chemist business occupying the double shop front (65 and 67). Other owners that we know of before 1870 included, a draper, Christopher Tully and H Swindale. The occupants of the shops over the years were drapers, boot dealers, watchmakers, tobacconists, hairdressers, newsagents, and included such people as Edward Lyons and Richard White (1875-1895).Charles Atkin was one of the more well-known names in the area. He had trained as a chemist in England but had left for the goldfields. An accident deterred him from gold-seeking and he set up his business at this Errol Street site where he pursued many interests. He was a council member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria and its Vice President for one year. His interest in fish culture led him to pioneer the introduction of aquariums into drawing rooms. He also developed a much sought after product called Quinine wine, based on a local wine from such vineyards as John Davies' Ngarveno property in Moonee Ponds, Mueller of Yackandandah and others. His wine was awarded a gold medal at the Melbourne International Exhibition; his cellar and herb garden at the rear of the property of 65-67 Errol Street were renowned. [see Victoria and its Metropolis Vol IIB p 664]These former shops and residences, which are the earliest surviving in the area, were also owned by a most energetic and innovative man.Description- Two-storey, stuccoed brick (65-7 possibly stone) shops and residences in two sections of c1854, 1856 , with a Corporation iron street verandah and a parapetted roof line. Typically, for their age, upper level ornament is simple and restrained consisting of quoining to demarcate individual shops, architraves to openings and piers, and a formerly central, scrolled entablature, to mark the original 1854 section (65-7) of the row. Urns are placed on both these piers and secondary piers in the addition on the south. It is probable that the parapet and stucco detailing was added, after Atkins acquired all four shops, in c1870.Integrity - All shop fronts appear to have been replaced and one urn is missing on the northern most pier (67 ),Architecturally, they are typical of the fine and restrained detail and elevations of the 1850s-60s, but compromised, in symmetry, by the flanking two shops: among the earliest surviving two-storey shop rows in the State: of State importance. Historically, the starting place of the Errol Street shopping centre; the commercial centre for North and West Melbourne and South Carlton also built by North Melbourne's most prominent commercial identity, Charles Atkin.RecommendationsRepaint in original colours;restore shop fronts to original or sympathetic form,as information allows;replace urn to parapet.References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory)1. RB 1855. 396-8; RB 1860. 456-59; RB 1864. 560-558; RB 1870, 2161-59; RB 1895-96, 1654-6; 613;RB 1880, 1718; RB 1875, 1742,2. V&M. (Victoria and its Metropolis) Vol. 11B p.664
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1362739
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103412, 103413, 103414, 625760, 625761 | 1 PDF : 1133 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |