Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street & 221-233 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street & 221-233 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 109263
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 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1926;ASSOCIATIONS: Nicholas, Alfred; Nicholas Buildings Pty Ltd;DESIGNER: Norris, Harry APeriod: Inter-War.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H2119http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/result_detail/2764Statement of SignificanceWhat is Significant?The Nicholas Building at the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne was designed by architect Harry Norris and constructed by Nicholas Buildings Pty Ltd in 1925-26. It does not appear that the Nicholas company ever occupied the building, rather it was built as a speculative office building development.The building contains nine floors and was designed to terminate at the 132 ft (40.3 metres) height limit in force in the City of Melbourne from 1916 until 1957. A consistent skyline was established in Melbourne as a result of this height limit. Influenced by the design of commercial buildings in America, the Nicholas Building adopts a Renaissance palazzo form with mannered Greek revival styling in its facade treatment. The two main facades feature an implied piano nobile, containing two floors with a Doric colonnade, and heavy corniced attic storey above. Between these two levels, the mass of the facade is dominated by giant Ionic pilasters which divide the upper facades into bays and provide verticality to the composition.The Nicholas Building is a hybrid structure with a steel frame adopted for the basement and first three floors, and reinforced concrete for the upper floors. Economic considerations influenced this decision, with maximum floor area achieved at the favourable lower levels, and a cheaper construction method, and subsequent reduced floor area, used for the upper floors. Grey terracotta faience, manufactured as 'Granitex' by Wunderlich, was used to clad the exterior of the building, selected for the longevity of the material and ease of maintenance.The basement, ground, and first floor were designed as retail spaces and the interior includes a glazed leadlight barrel vaulted arcade at ground level, Cathedral Arcade, providing a link between Swanston Street and Flinders Lane. The shop fronts, particularly at first floor level, remain largely intact and few major structural alterations have been made to the internal fabric of the building. An addition was made to the ground floor of the building in 1939. The Coles retail company occupied the ground floor and basement until 1967.Planned around a central light well, the top six floors are utilitarian, comprising of an outer ring of studio spaces around the building's perimeter and second tier of studio spaces that back onto two sides of the light well. The light well is enclosed on a third side by the lift and stair core and is open to the corridor that encircles the floor between the two rows of studio spaces on its fourth wall. The corridor spaces are relatively spartan, with cream tiled walls, linoleum floors and varnished timber joinery to the doors and windows. Other features throughout the building include letter chutes and directory boards made by Brooks Robinson shopfitters on all floors and the manually operated passenger lifts.Of interest are the remnant signs and elements of decoration throughout the building indicating the building's diverse range of activities and occupants. Initially the building was home to businesses that included those associated with the Flinders Lane garment trade, commercial artists, medical practitioners and architects. Harry Norris maintained his architectural office at the Nicholas Building until 1955. The building continues to house some of these activities, particularly those associated with fashion, but it has more recently housed studios and exhibition spaces for numerous artists.How is it Significant?The Nicholas Building is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it Significant?The Nicholas Building is of architectural significance as an outstanding and imposing example of the grand commercial palazzo of the 1920s. It is an important example of the work of Harry Norris, one of the leading commercial architects in Melbourne between the wars. Norris was perhaps one of the greatest exponents of faience in Melbourne, and his extensive use of innovative Wunderlich terracotta tiles to clad the facades at the Nicholas Building is of special significance.The Nicholas Building is of architectural significance for its largely intact interiors which provide excellent examples of 1920s shop and office decoration. Of particular note is the street level arcade, with dome and fanlights, reportedly the only remaining example of lead-light roofed and fan-lighted arcade in Melbourne. The shop fronts, particularly at first floor level, are largely intact and also of great importance.The Nicholas Building is of historical significance for its associations with the wealthy businessman, Alfred Nicholas, co-founder of the Nicholas Company which developed the famous Aspro formula. Harry Norris also designed Burnham Beeches, Sassafras, 1930-33 (VHR H0868) for Alfred Nicholas.The Nicholas Building is of historical and architectural significance as a reminder of a mid-rise scale of the CBD before the 1950s when only decorative towers went above the 132 foot height limit. It is one of at least 30 outstanding 'limit-height' buildings built while it was in force between 1916 and 1957, some examples included in the Victorian Heritage Register include the Capitol House, 1924 (VHR H0471); Myer Emporium, 1933 (VHR H2100); and the Port Authority Building, 1929-30 (VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0965)..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites RAIA (Vic) 20th C. Architecture Register, MURPHY ARCHITECTS, JOHN AND PHYLLIS 1976_________________________________________MURPHY ARCHITECTS, JOHN AND PHYLLIS 1976. HISTORIC BUILDINGS STUDY OF PART OF THE C.B.D. MELBOURNE : { AREA 1} WITH MURPHY, JOCK, FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL.7.1327-41 Swanston Street- Nicholas Building.Construction Date: 1926 1Architect: Harry A. NorrisA contemporary building journal, published at the time that Nicholas Building was in the course of erection described it as being "a concrete structure of monumental character" and "a valuable acquisition to the architecture of the city".Further information to be provided by H.B.P.C ..1. Sands &Mc Dougall's Directory of Victoria, 1926.2. "Building", January 12,1927, P 150._________________________________________VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY D7822-1908First land sale 1837, Block 5, Allotment 9, Thomas Winter. 1850 - building on site.1877 - 5 buildings; Stewarts Hotel; McEwan & Co., Provision Merchants; Robert Walker, Grocer; Cochrane & Brien.1888 - 5 buildings: R Walker; Italian Warehousemen; Tailor & Warehouse.1905 - 3 x 5 storey buildings; Drapers, Butchers, Pharmacy, Chocolate Depot, Tobacconist_________________________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTERPlaque Citation09/04/2008Architect Harry Norris designed this grand commercial palazzo which was built in 1925-26. This Greek Revival building, clad with Wunderlich terracotta faience tiles, has a long association with fashion and the arts._________________________________________NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/65706Statement of SignificanceThe Nicholas Building, situated on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, was built by F E Shillabeer & Sons in 1926 to a design by the architect Harry Norris. The building originally contained eight floors of office accommodation, with shopping arcades on the first and ground floors and retail accommodation in the large basement. This classification does not include the later 1939 extension.Norris took the advantage of corner siting to display the dominant outlook of the Nicholas Building to full advantage on two fronts. The vertical lines of its massive Greek revival style, with Renaissance touches, is somewhat interrupted by the heavy cornice above the third floor level, but the building remains an imposing structure nontheless. At this point in his career, the Nicholas Building was the largest contract in which Norris had been involved and his use of Wunderlich terracotta cladding on the exterior was the most extensive use of that material on a Melbourne building to that time.The Cathedral Arcade constucted on the ground floor connecting Swanston Street to Flinders Lane is now the only remaining example of an arcade with a vaulted lead-light ceiling, dome and fanlights in Melbourne. The retention and restoration of this arcade is of the utmost importance. Although most of the original shopfronts and ceiling panels remain on the ground floor, they are generally in poor repair and the replaced floor tiles are not in sympathy with the arcade's styling. The shop fronts of the first floor arcade remain in remarkable state of preservation given that area's multiplicity of uses over the years.The Nicholas Building is, over all, in a unique state of interior preservation and remains a remarkably intact example of an office building of the 1920s. Very few major structural alterations have been made to the interior fabric, with the exception of the basement and the 1939 extension to the ground floor area. The interior and exterior plan and features of this structure remain substantially those originally drawn up by Harry Norris.Norris, who maintained his offices in the building from its completion until 1955, contributed an impressive array of original building designs to this city including those for a number of Coles retail stores. The Coles retail company occupied the ground floor and basement areas of the Nicholas Building until 1967, making it the oldest Coles store in Melbourne to continually trade on its original premises.Classified; 13/07/1987Revised: 03/08/1998_________________________________________MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY web sites 2023https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/conserving-melbourne-s-creative-heritage`...Our project team took the perspective that the historical, aesthetic and social significance of the Nicholas Building has evolved over time and is, in fact, always changing.The remarkable contribution of Harry Norris and the Nicholas brothers was to create a diversity of beautiful spaces that could be loved and adapted by generations. Few, if any, commercial buildings in Victoria have been used for creative purposes for such a long time – and continue to support artistic and artisanal endeavour in this way.This means that the original floorplates, circulation spaces and mixed tenancies have vital cultural significance.Heritage management has traditionally ignored the incredible dynamism and community relationships that make many places culturally significant, but perspectives are changing…_________________________________________VISIT VICTORIA WEB SITE 2023Heritage buildingsNicholas Buildinghttps://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/melbourne/see-and-do/history-and-heritage/heritage-buildings/vv-nicholas-buildingExplore floor after floor of studios, galleries and curiosities in this magical, heritage-listed creative hub. Shop for stunning textiles at Kimono House, found objects at Harold and Maude and vintage haberdashery at l'uccello. Trawl racks of vintage fashion at Retrostar or make an appointment for high-end millinery at Louise McDonald. Get behind the scenes and schedule your visit with one of the regular Open Studio days to see craftspeople at work in the historic studios. On the ground floor, browse the latest designs at Kuwaii and Obus in art deco Cathedral Arcade. Outside, stand back and admire the grandeur of the Renaissance palazzo-style architecture._________________________________________ONLY MELBOURNE WEB SITE 2023https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/nicholas-buildingNicholas BuildingToday the Nicholas Building is home to Melbourne's Art and Craft culture, dedicated to all the artists, designers, makers and business'.The Nicholas Building was designed by Harry Norris for Alfred Nicholas (Aspro | Invented in Melbourne) influenced by the 'Chicago Style' of architecture.Completed in 1926, it is the grandest 1920's palazzo in the city, including balconettes and a terracotta faience facade. and bulky base.From the fabulous Valli Myers to one of Australia's most wanted fugitives, Gregory David Roberts (and everything in-between) , the Nicholas Building and its tenants, share an entangled and colourful history…_________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1925https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243888167Melbourne s Great Rebuilding Campaign… (illust)...£2,000,000 IN NEW OFFICE BUILDINGSNicholas -Building Swanston St. and Flinders Lane (H. A. Norris)..1939https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243368105CITY BUILDINGSThe absorption of an adjoining shop the Nicholas Building, Swanston St. is to be extended on the south. The site to be taken in has a frontage of 23ft. by a depth of 120ft., and the building on in is area will be occupied by GJ Coles and Co., and be linked with the premises now occupied by Coles on the ground floor and basement of the Nicholas Building.Designed by the office of Harry A. Norris, of Swanston Street, the extension building will give Coles a continuous shop front over the old and new sites, but the new building will be a separate unit, although harmonising with the Nicholas Building..1997Vali Myers in her studio in the Nicholas building, Swanston St. Melbournehttps://trove.nla.gov.au/work/237456322
Related material link:
27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler14510\\)27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler14511\\)27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler14514\\)27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler14513\\)27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler14512\\)Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler16742\\)Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler16741\\)Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler16744\\)Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler16740\\)Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler16743\\)Nicholas Building, 27-41 Swanston Street, Melbourne (Butler16745\\)
Topics:
Places:
Form/Genre:
Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1263979
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109263 | 1 PDF : 1,972 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |