Kornblum and Co. building, 167-173 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1982
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Kornblum and Co. building, 167-173 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1982
Search dates:
01 Jan 1982 - 31 Dec 1982
Reference number:
Butler16482
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
Part of:
Access restrictions:
Unrestricted
Use restrictions:
Unrestricted
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryStained glass manufacturers, Charles Rogers and Co., leased a two-storey warehouse on this site over a long period, ending in 1900 when the owners, the Trustees of Edward Cohen, sold to Kornblum and Co., a new firm of importers and warehousemen and Victoria. Kornblum immediately commissioned architects, Ray King and Stainsley, to design a new four-storey warehouse and basement to be built by R McDonald, a Moonee Ponds contractor. Kornblum and Co. were still there in 1940, when the building was called Summit House, sharing it with wholesale drapers and manufacturers' agents.Kornblum Furnishings Ltd. with a declared nominal capital of four million dollars, in 1974 is a probable derivative of this firm.The architects were responsible for a number of houses in St Kilda Road and South Yarra and appear not to have done only one more commercial design in the city.DescriptionThis striking design is made so by its bold Queen Anne scrolled pediments, large glass area and the novel use of timber for ornament. Perhaps to reduce their weight, the spandrel scrolling has been carved in timber. By contrast the pediment crowning the entrance bay is of cement. Almost bone- like, the radiused timber glazing sections alternate as bayed or flat glazing frames, comparing with the contemporary 257-265 Flinders Lane (1899) both in the glazing style and the use of the scrolling which accompanies it. However this building possesses greater glazed areas. A French character is expressed by the stylised Ionic pilasters, with their trailing vines, and rustication of the pilasters at ground level recalls the English Baroque but perhaps mostly in the scrolled iron balustrading which guards the basement light well (cf. D'Ebro's Adelaide Steamship Building, demolished also English Queen Anne). Where the design differs most from its contemporaries is the asymmetrical composition which lends emphasis to the entrance.Viewed from Hosiers Lane, the facade seems a paper thin veneer to the more conservative brick carcass behind, and in contrast to the deep modelling seen from the frontal view.IntegrityGenerally externally original except for added illuminated signs and the wall paint colour.StreetscapeAdjoins a warehouse streetscape with similar period detail, scale and finishes.SignificanceAn unusually bold, if unsophisticated, use of the English Queen Anne style retaining uncommon carved timber detailing, an asymmetrical composition and an atypically large glazed area for the period.
Location of originals:
\\mcc\groups\comserv\Melbourne Library Service\Community Heritage\Spydus\Butler collection\Butler16482.tif
Related material link:
Places:
Record types:
Images, maps and artefacts
Record number:
751062
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | Butler16482 | 67.2 MB ; 4160 x 5647 px | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |