Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building later Jensen House, 335-347 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building later Jensen House, 335-347 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 109311
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1940;ASSOCIATIONS: Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows;DESIGNER: Barlow, Marcus R & Associates;BUILDER: Morrison Bros Pty LtdStyle: ModernePeriod: Inter-War_____________________________CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Former Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building at 335-347 Swanston Street, Melbourne, a 15-storey (three levels added in 1996-96) interwar Functionalist style office building built in 1940-41 to a design by architect Marcus Barlow.Elements that contribute to the significance of the place include (but are not limited to):• The original built form and scale;• The original pattern of fenestration, including ‘streamlined’ horizontal spandrels, extensive horizontal bands of glazing and contrasting asymmetric vertical stair element; and• The original multipane steel frame windows.Later alterations made to the street level façade, and the additional storeys constructed in 1997, are not significant.How it is significant?335-347 Swanston Street, Melbourne is of local historical, representative, aesthetic and associative significance to the City of Melbourne.Why it is significant?The building at 335-347 Swanston Street is historically significant for the evidence it provides of the importance of welfare provision in Melbourne. The building was constructed for the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows to the design of architect Marcus Barlow in 1940-41. The site on which it stands has a longer association with the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, who first provided welfare to Melburnians at the site from 1863 continuing until 1946. The 1940-41 building had a mix of uses, incorporating a large hall and rooms for the use of the society, and factory space and shops available for lease. Compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth government for use by the Department of Munitions in 1946, the building is also significant for its connection with the history of Commonwealth acquisition of land and buildings in Melbourne for use in association with military and defence, during and as a consequence of war. (Criterion A)The former Manchester Unity Oddfellows building at 335-347 Swanston Street is significant as a largely intact example of commercial development in central Melbourne. It demonstrates the 40 metre (132 foot) height limit then in force during the period when the city had recovered from the Great Depression but World War Two imposed constraints on new buildings. The interwar Functionalist style was popular during the interwar and early postwar periods, usually for low rise industrial buildings, schools and institutional buildings. However, there were a number of commercial developments in central Melbourne that utilised the style for its modern or progressive aesthetic, including the building at 335-347 Swanston Street. The building at 335-347 Swanston Street exhibits the same design aesthetic and quality as other examples of the style. The building has a high degree of integrity, retaining its ‘streamlined’ horizontal spandrels, extensive horizontal bands of glazing and contrasting asymmetric vertical stair element that characterise the style. (Criterion D)The former Manchester Unity Oddfellows building is of aesthetic significance as a substantial commercial building built in the interwar Functionalist style. Built to a design by architect Marcus Barlow, the building is distinguished as a pure example of the style, without the decorative articulation that derives from earlier styles. Barlow was a strong advocate of skyscrapers and American urbanism, the aesthetic influence of which can be observed in his design for the subject building. (Criterion E)The site at 335-347 Swanson Street was long associated with the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF), a friendly society founded in Manchester, England, in 1810, for the purpose of providing financial and social assistance to members experiencing hardship. The first meeting of the Australia Felix Lodge of the MUIOOF was held in Melbourne in 1840. The society subsequently built a hall on part of the subject site c1863, which it occupied for 80 years. After constructing the new 12 storey premises on the site in 1940-41, the MUIOOF remained at today’s 335-347 Swanston Street until the building was forcibly acquired by the Commonwealth in 1946 for military needs. The building’s subsequent occupation by the Commonwealth Government is also significant for its connection to defence history and the requisition of land and buildings by the Commonwealth in World War Two. (Criterion H)Primary sourceHoddle Grid Heritage Review (Context & GJM Heritage, 2020)____________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites RAIA 20th C. Architecture Register_______________________________________CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS1919-1922 Jan ₤9800 remodel of Manchester Unity Building...1940 Jan 21017 ₤100,000 Erection of building etc offices crossed out for factories (possibly to evade wartime restrictions), engineer John Laing; Barlow letters to City of Melbourne about structural design and regulations also proposed natural light to shops taken from below the verandah; also Leslie M Perrott & partners act for Church of Christ adjoining claiming right to light and seeking details on changes made to existing MUIO building since 1900.July Erection of shopfront, Sep verandah_______________________________________CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWHO1376Former Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building335-347 Swanston Street (1940-1941)Architect: Marcus BarlowSUMMARYThe 12-storey Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building at 335-347 Swanston Street Melbourne, was constructed in 1940-41 to a design by architect Marcus Barlow in the interwar Functionalist style. The site was long associated with the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) who first provided welfare to Melburnians at the site from 1863, until 1946. The building was compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth government for use by the Department of Munitions in 1946. The building was sold and three additional storeys were added in 1996-97 as part of the Melbourne Campus Apartments developmentsignificance· Historically significant as evidence of welfare provision, and later acquisition for Commonwealth military needs.· Significant as representative of the 40 metre height limit in force in 1940-41 and constraints imposed by WW2.· Aesthetically significant as a substantial commercial building designed by Marcus Barlow, in the interwar Functionalist style.· Significant for its association with Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, and its defence history..SITE HISTORYThe subject building, the Melbourne Campus Apartments was constructed as the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows’ building between 1940 and 1941 to the design of architect Marcus Barlow (CoMMaps). It was addressed as 339 Swanston Street until 1997, when it was renumbered 335-347 Swanston Street to coincide with the development of the Melbourne Campus Apartments (Age 25 June 1997:24).The subject site at 335-347 Swanston Street, part of Crown Allotment 10, Block 28, was purchased by Matthew Orr in 1847 (CoMMaps).From 1863 to c1940 the MUIOOF occupied half of the subject site (see Figure and Figure 2). The society was a fraternal organisation and one of several friendly societies established in Melbourne during the Victorian period to assist members and their families in meeting the financial and social consequences of illness, unemployment or death. Member subscriptions contributed to a common fund that was used to support a member in need. Such societies were early providers of sick pay, funeral benefits and subsidised medical care (Willis, 2008).Located adjacent to the former John Knox Free Presbyterian Church (1863), now Church of Christ, the Public Library and Hospital, the Manchester Unity Hall was centrally located. Upon its opening in 1863, the building and its central location was noted:The site has a frontage to Swanston Street of 50ft and faces the Melbourne Hospital so that from its position the Hall will be easily accessible from any part of the city. There is nothing particularly remarkable in the architectural appearance of the front elevation, which, by the way, is not intended to be the permanent façade but, not withstanding, it will be a decided ornament to the street (Herald 11 December 1863:2).A two-storey building comprising warehouses and showrooms was erected on the northern half of the site in c1895 (Herald 11 December 1863:2; MMBW Detail Plan no 1018, 1895).Figure 1. Former Manchester Unity Hall building at subject site outlined in red. (Source: Lyle Fowler c1940, State Library of Victoria copyright) Figure 2. Extract from Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works Detail Plan showing former Manchester Unity Hall building covering half of the subject site outlined in red (Source: MMBW Detail Plan no 1018, 1895)In 1928 the society purchased the Stewart Dawson building on the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets with the intention of constructing an office and retail building. In 1931-32, at the height of the economic depression, the 11 storey Manchester Unity Building was constructed – in less than a year – to the design of the society’s architect, Marcus Barlow (Schrader 2008). As a benevolent society, the MUIOOF felt it was important at the time to show confidence that the economy would improve and also wished to provide a source of employment.In the 1930s, the MUIOOF regularly hosted events, reunions, and meetings in the building then situated at today’s 335-347 Swanston Street for veteran groups such as the Australian Imperial Force and Disabled Soldier’s Association (Argus 25 October 1933:4; Age 28 August 1930:9). It also served as place of worship for a Christian congregation of 60 in 1937, who, fifteen years later, took over the adjacent John Knox Free Presbyterian Church as the Church of Christ (Age 29 December 1937:11).In 1938 the MUIOOF purchased a block of land adjoining the subject site and the following year made the decision to rebuild the Manchester Unity Hall at a cost of over £100,000 (Building 24 October 1939:93; West Australian, 21 October 1939:6). The building was intended to mark the centenary of the MUIOOF in Victoria, but the decision was spurred, in part, by the fear that building costs would rise sharply after the outbreak of war (Building 24 September 1941:57; Building 24 October 1939:93; West Australian, 21 October 1939:6).The 11-storey building was constructed to the 40 metre (132 feet) height limit and was intended to be the ‘most outstanding structure to the north of the city’ (West Australian, 21 October 1939:6; Building 24 September 1941:57; Herald 11 January 1940:3). The building was to provide 143,000 square metres of floor space, with most floors available for letting. The building comprised a large hall and rooms for the use of the society, as well as factory space and shops (West Australian, 21 October 1939:6; Building 24 September 1941:57; Herald 11 January 1940:3).Morrison Bros Pty Ltd built the new Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building in 1940-41 to the design completion, the building was described as a ‘landmark at the north end of Swanston Street’ (Building 24 September 1941:57). Originally, the exterior walls were painted with Boncote – a cement-based paint designed for use on unpainted cement, stucco, brick and concrete surfaces and in use from the 1920s. The vertical features were faced with Wunderlich Ltd blue faience, and the recessed panels under the horizontal spandrels were painted light blue. The roof was Neuchatele Asphalte. The interior incorporated a hall 14.6 by 31 metres (48ft by 102ft) finished with a special dance floor sprung on rubber. It also included a supper room, kitchens, cloak rooms and foyers; a large lodge room, preparation rooms and district officers’ rooms, two electric lifts, a goods lift and six shop fronts onto Swanston Street (Building 24 September 1941:57). A flagpole was originally affixed atop the building (see Figure 5).In 1945 the Victorian Military Lines of Communication occupied the building (Morning Bulletin 4 October 1945:4). The following year the Commonwealth government compulsorily acquired the Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building (Argus 24 May 1946:2). The government intended to convert the building into future headquarters for the Department of Munitions, by refitting the building with air-conditioning, fluorescent lighting in central areas, sound absorbent ceilings, and sound-reducing windows (Argus 13 June 1947:3; Herald 30 September 1947:7). The Munitions Department moved into the premises in 1947, joining existing tenants of the building including the headquarters of Trans-Australia Airlines and the Aircraft Production Division of the Munitions Department (Argus 13 June 1947:3).By 1955 the building was occupied entirely by Commonwealth agencies; of these, only the Trans-Australia Airlines paid council rates (Age 8 July 1955:3). The Commonwealth Department of Supply renamed the building ‘Jensen House’ in 1969, in recognition of the former head of the Department, Sir John Jensen, who contributed significantly to the development of Australian industry, particularly in the war years. Jenson House housed government offices and the Commonwealth Government Bookshop until 1996 (Age 26 June 1996:61).In 1996 Pacific East Coast Ltd purchased the site for development with financing from the Macquarie Bank (Age 26 June 1996:61). Completed in 1997, the $35 million Melbourne Campus Apartment project saw the redevelopment of the building into student accommodation (Age 26 June 1996:61). The development was to house up to 440 students in 270 apartments, capitalising on the niche accommodation market for overseas students that was emerging at the time. Melbourne Campus Apartments were described in one article published contemporaneously as ‘Melbourne’s first high-quality, international student accommodation complex’ (Age 26 June 1996:61). Three additional floors were added to the building as part of the Melbourne Campus Apartments development (Age 26 June 1996:61).Figure 3. Photograph showing Manchester Unity Oddfellows Building under construction in 1940. (Source: JRVIA December 1940-January 1941, Vol 38, No 6: 129)Figure 4. Photograph showing the MUOB in 1941. (Source: Building Vol 69, No 9, September 24 1941:10 copyright)Figure 5. Manchester Unity Building in 1985, with flagpole intact . (Source: Graeme Butler, 1985 CAD Survey Hermes)Marcus Barlow, architectMarcus Barlow (1890-1954) was a strong advocate of skyscrapers and American urbanism, as well as embracing the motorcar and the typology of car-parking stations. His major contribution to the city of Melbourne is the Manchester Unity building at the corner of Swanston and Collins streets. As one of the most prolific and accomplished architects of the interwar period he campaigned to overturn Melbourne’s 132 feet (40 metre) height limit on buildings, which later occurred in 1958, several years after his death. His early partnership with John Grainger (1914-1917) and Harry Little (1917-1922) was followed by a partnership with F G B Hawkins (1924-1927). Barlow is credited with reshaping Melbourne’s interwar central business district (Schrader 2012)….REFERENCESAge, as cited.Argus, as cited.Australian Unity 2017-18, ‘Our History’, https://www.australianunity.com.au/about-us/our-history, accessed 20 December 2018.Building: the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant , as cited.City of Melbourne Interactive Maps (CoMMaps) 2017, http://maps.melbourne.vic.gov.au/, accessed January-June 2019.Context 2019, Post World War Two Thematic History, prepared for the City of Melbourne.Context Pty Ltd 2012, Thematic History: A History of the City of Melbourne’s Urban Environment, prepared for the City of Melbourne.Darian-Smith, Kate 2008, ‘War: Domestic Mobilisation’, eMelbourne, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne, http://www.emelbourne.net.au, accessed 13 December 2018.Fowler, Lyle 1940, ‘Church of Christ and Manchester Unity Oddfellows Hall, 339 Swanston Street, Melbourne’, Harold Paynting Collection, State Library of Victoria.Herald, as cited.Journal of Royal Victorian Institute of Architects (JRVIA) 1940-41, Vol. 38, No. 6, p.129.Morning Bulletin, as cited.Schrader, Ben 2008, ‘Manchester Unity Building’, eMelbourne, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne, http://www.emelbourne.net.au, accessed 13 December 2018.Schrader, Ben 2012, ‘Marcus Barlow’, in Goad, Philip & Willis Julie (eds.), The Encyclopedia of Australian Architecture, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p.67.Stevenson, M 2009, ‘Manchester Unity’ in Museums Victoria Collections https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/2782, accessed 21 December 2018Sydney Morning Herald, as cited.West Australian, as cited.Willis, Elizabeth 2008, ‘Friendly Societies’ eMelbourne, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne, http://www.emelbourne.net.au, accessed 13 December 2018_______________________________________
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1264381
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109311 | 1 PDF : 1,039 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |