Roycroft's shops and residences, 274-278 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Architecturally undistinguished, given its late date, but part of a mainly Edwardian era streetscape and for a long period occupied as a bank or quasi-public building.
Title:
Roycroft's shops and residences, 274-278 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 101198
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:
Period: EdwardianConstruction date: 1900.ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryIn another form (two-storey brick shop and four rooms), this shop and residence row was originally owned by a William Roycroft (1859-) and later Mrs. Roycroft. It is shown in the 1880 Melbourne panorama as a simple parapeted structure with shopfronts between ground-floor piers and typically-sized upper-level windows.Rate books first list three occupied levels in 1900 and this co-incides with the Roycroft trustees' intention to build `six shops and offices' at this corner in June 1899. The Champion Brothers were the architects and Baxter & Boyne, the builders. The completed complex is shown in early photographs, rounding the corner to present three bays to Swanston Street.Subsequently, the Bank of Victoria took 274 (later 274-6) for a long period, Brown Brothers made hats at 278 and a Miss Robertson sold them at 276. The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney took over the Bank of Victoria and this tenancy in 1927, one Harry Cohen also having replaced the Browns, in 278, by 1930.The architects, Henry V. & A. Champion were from Williamstown, where much of their residential and commercial work was carried out but, in the period 1900-1906, they received commissions for the redoubtable Alfred Massina & Company's printing office in Swanston Street (1906), a store for the Carlton Brewery in Swanston Street (1904) and shops and residences at 208-214 (part) Swanston Street, for the Equity Trustees (1904). Little is known of the first owner, William Roycroft, except that he is listed as residing in Brunswick Street Fitzroy, in 1859, but is not listed subsequently.DescriptionA conservative commercial design for the period which belies its date only by the relatively large glazed area and casement sashes in the arched first-storey windows. Above these the next window group is distinctly Victorian in character, pairing off to match the lower lights in width. The parapet has piered balustrading and the walls below are divided horizontally and vertically by the typical entablatures, impost and sill moulds and Corinthian Order superposed pilasters.External IntegrityGround level replaced and new cantilever canopy.StreetscapeRelates to the more architecturally adventurous Edwardian structures to the west in finish, period detail and scale.SignificanceArchitecturally undistinguished, given its late date, but part of a mainly Edwardian era streetscape and for a long period occupied as a bank or quasi-public building..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 76, Page 10NIGEL LEWIS DECEMBER 1976, HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF THE CENTRAL CITY OF MELBOURNE BOURKE STREET, EAST AREA 8 OF THE SURVEY COMMISSIONED BY THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL: 33MELBOURNE SURF SHOP274--278 Bourke StreetM22 L52This building appears to have been constructed in 1859 (sic) when each shop was described as 'brick shop, 4 rooms and kitchen'. This description does not substantially change in the rate books through to this century. In 1864 the land for each shop is described as 15 ft. by 30 ft. but it is reported in 1871 as 15 feet by 36 feet. The original building appears in early photographs as continuing to the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets. The building was owned by the Roycroft family from 1859 until at least 1882. It appears to have been utilized as retail outlets such as jewellers and tailors since its erection. The building is fortunate to have survived the early 20th century rebuilding of this section of Bourke Street and is the earliest surviving building in the area. The building is divided into vertical sections by pilasters, the first floor being ionic, the second being Corinthian. This trabeated design is applied over an arcuated design for the windows. The round arched windows are visually supported by piers marked out by plaster moulding. The large fi.rst floor windows are of very pleasing proportions. The shop fronts have been altered from those shown in a 19141 photograph which also appear to be alterations from the original. The building is otherwise intact except for the loss of parapet ornaments.RECOMMENDATION:This building is the earliest erected in this block of Bourke Street and is of pleasant scale and detailing. The building does not display the outstanding features required for recommendation for addition to the Historic Buildings Register, however it is an essential element of the Bourke Street Environmental Area and should be retained under the recommended planning controls.1. Real Property Annual, 1914, p. 59.
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1189394
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 101193 | 1 PDF : 747 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |