Sheppard House, later Insurance Centre, 335-339 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Sheppard House, later Insurance Centre, 335-339 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103950
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 2021:Style: Neo-GrecPeriod: Inter-WarDATE: 1928-9;ASSOCIATIONS: N. E. Sheppard;DESIGNER: Sydney Smith Ogg & Serpell;BUILDER: Shillabeer, F. E. and Sons Pty. Ltd.IMAGE: https://flic.kr/p/2m7zth4.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryBuilt later than most warehouses in this part of the Lane, this was Sheppard House, N. E. Sheppard Esquire's building and Sydney Smith Ogg & Serpell's design. It consisted of goods and passenger lifts, vestibule, stair and cart-dock, at ground-level, and upper floors equipped with rear lavatory blocks and lit via a light court. The construction drawings, dated mid-1928, showed a heavy Victorian period iron balustrade to the stair and similarly panelled doors. Its early tenants included many manufacturer's agents such as Manton Ground, Pty. Ltd., Beales Pown & Plowright, Pty. Ltd., W. J. Montgomery & Co., Cooke & Dauncy, Freeman & Co., and the Calyx Porcelain Co. Others were Hanro Bendigo Knitting Mills Pty. Ltd. and Carter & Co. (Aust.) Ltd., millinery agents, but no Sheppard.DescriptionThe design was a familiar one, in the neo-Grec manner, with a three-bay elevation, shallow parapet pediment and raised ground-level podium. Large window areas were metal-framed and detailed with the saltire-cross highlights seen commonly in 1920s shop windows. On the right was the heavy panelled doors leading, through a monumental opening, to the offices beyond. Matching its height, to one side, was the cart dock and, on the opposite side, a comparatively miniscule doorway. Overall, it resembled Epstein House (Flinders Street, 1926) and, in miniature, Smith & Ogg's own Harley House (Collins Street, 1924) but comparison is perhaps unfair outside of the small street warehouse context.External IntegrityThe ground level has been replaced, using new openings which relate, in part, to the upper levels.StreetscapeContributes in fenestration, scale, siting, finish and period detail to the adjoining warehouse streetscape.SignificanceA competently designed and detailed neo-Grec styled warehouse, which is distinguished by the use of this style in a warehouse context and in Flinders Lane, but has no known important historical associations and has been altered at ground level. It contributes to an important warehouse streetscape..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7.REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7Insurance HouseBuilt 1929 replacing 2 brick shops as 6 storey store with basement, , formerly Sheppard House, purchased by Famua (Vic) Ltd 1955 and renamed as now- HQ of Insurance Council of Australia; five upper level `fully intact' `facade sill makes an important contribution…' retention desirable..HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSA six-storey store and office building constructed in 1929. It is part of the re-development of Flinders Lane early in the 20th century and a significant element of the precinct..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Wednesday 20 June 1928 - Page 13 illust.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243941062Shepphard House — New Flinders Lane Building -In course of erection in Flinders limo is a building to be known as Sheppard House. It will consist of a high basement, with six storeys over, finishing with a flat roof, and should be a notable addition to the architecture of `The Lane’. The facade is designed on classical lines and treated so as to give large window arena, at the same time providing a dignified and pleasing front. The finish will be cement stucco with pressed cement enrichments. Sheppard House Is planned to obtain the maximum of daylight which is available at front and at rear of one side, through large metal - framed windows. The ground floor street front is occupied by prominent main en trance doors, cart dock to shelter lorries or other delivery vehicles, lighting to basement and doors to escape stairs. The main en trance doors open into a vestibule, the walls of which are panelled out In tiles of local manufacture, specially color-blended for the purpose, and the floor is laid with terazzo. The main staircase leads down to basement and rises to upper floors of the building from the vestibule, and is constructed of concrete and finished with ornamental wrought-iron balustrades and copper handrails. An additional escape stair is provided at the rear of the building. The passenger elevator opens off the main vestibule.The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Wednesday 27 June 1928 - Page 13https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243942962Elevators in Sheppard House High Speed and Special DevicesThe architects, Messrs. Sydney Smith, Ogg and Serpell, have provided for very complete elevator equipment, both for passengers and goods...goods lift, which Is situated conveniently opening off cart dock, will be of largo capacity, travelling to all floors and provided at each with a special room for the temporary storage of goods while waiting despatch or distribution ... fireproof construction throughout.DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1942335-337 SHEPPARD HOUSE—Basement-335 Stewart, A. P. (Akubra Hats) Pty Ltd, hatmanufacturersGround Floor-335 Sheppard. N. E., & Co Pty Ltd, (showrooms)First Floor-335 Barrington, D. C.. & Co, mnfrs, agntsSecond Floor-335 Lewis, W. Pty Ltd, indent agents335 Sheppard, N. E., & Co Pty Ltd (wkroom)335 Spars, W. Fisher & Co, woollens merchtsThird Floor-335 Carter & Co (Aust) Pty Ltd, minry imprtrs325 Davis, R. W., indentorFourth Floor-335 Harrison, Smith & Woodlock Pty Ltd, mnfgfurriersFifth Floor-335 Sheppard, N. E., & Co Pt y Ltd, minry mnfrs
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1208633
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103950 | 1 PDF : 1,068 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |