Langford's store and factory (part), 32-34 Guildford Lane, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Langford's store and factory (part), 32-34 Guildford Lane, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 104561
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
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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.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:Period: EdwardianConstruction date: 1909, 1929?ASSOCIATIONS: Langford, Clements; Nilsen, Cromie Pty Ltd,; Clark, King & Co Pty Ltd, poultry foodsDESIGNER: Langford , Clements?;BUILDER: Langford, Clements.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________LOVELL CHEN 2017. GUILDFORD & HARDWARE LANEWAYS PRECINCTWhat is Significant?HistoryThe 1894 MMBW detail plan no 1017 shows this corner site as being no 44 Guildford Lane, and occupied by a small brick building, described as a brick house occupied by James Marsh in the 1896 municipal rate books.52 Within ten years, this building had been demolished, and the rate books record the then unnumbered property as ‘land’.53 In 1908, a permit was obtained by prominent builder Clements Langford for the construction of a ‘stone factory’ at the site.54 Langford was the builder of a number of significant buildings in Melbourne, including the former Gollin & Company Building in Bourke Street, of 1902; the former E S & A Bank in Swanston Street, of 1928; and the final stages of St Patricks Cathedral, including the towers and spire, in 1926-33.55The 1910 municipal rate books list this stone factory building, with Langford also the owner of the brick house at no 30 and the occupier of the stone house at no 33.56 Both properties at nos 30 and 32 were valued at a NAV of £16.57 In 1915, the property was described as a brick workshop and store at no 30-34 Guildford Lane, valued at NAV of £20.58 Five years later, the brick workshop was valued at a NAV of £100, indicating that improvements had been undertaken at the site.59 These works likely include the construction of the brick second level to what appears to have been a single-storey stone building. Although Langford is listed as the owner and occupier of the building in 1920, by 1924, electrical engineers Nilsen Cromie were at the site.60DescriptionThe two building programmes – 1908 construction and c.1920 second floor addition - remain legible in the factory building. The ground floor façade and lower sections of the side and rear elevations to Flanigans Lane, survive from the original construction. These are of random dressed bluestone laid in courses. An original ground floor window to Guildford Lane, incorporating red brick quoins and segmental-arched head windows, also survives. The adjacent entry has been altered, largely through the introduction of a deep steel lintel to support the upper level. Bluestone walls to the corner of Guildford and Flanigan Lanes incorporate a canted corner with a corbel detail above, intended to reduce the damage from vehicle impacts. Above these original elements, face brick walls in English bond were constructed in c.1920. Early features, including upper level windows and landing doors to Guildford Lane, survive. Windows from the second programme of works also survive along the Flanigan Lane elevation. Segmental-arched ground floor windows, retain c.1920 cast iron bars and joinery over bluestone sills from 1908. Windows to the upper level addition are similar but incorporate brick sills. The upper level of the side elevation has been painted and some early signage survives but the building is largely intact and legible to its c.1920 state.How is it Significant?No 32 Guildford Lane is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance.Why is it Significant?The building is historically significant for its association with prominent builder Clements Langford. He constructed the building in 1908 as a factory, undertook later improvements, and owned it and an adjoining property until at least 1920. This was in the period when Langford was a sought-after Melbourne builder, and it is assumed that the subject building supported his construction activities, as a workshop or store. Aesthetically, while the building has been modified and extended, albeit at an early period, it is a robust and prominent corner building in the precinct, marking the western entry to the historic part of Guildford Lane. Its corner position is emphasised by the chamfered detail to the stonework at ground floor level in the south-west corner of the building. The ad hoc combination of materials and details, including the unusual coming together of face stonework and brick walling is another distinguishing feature of the building. The resulting character and architectural expression is evolved, rather than designed, but nevertheless has resulted in a distinctive building in the precinct..LOVELL CHEN 2017. GUILDFORD & HARDWARE LANEWAYS PRECINCT -Guildford and Hardware Laneways Precinct Property Schedule32-34 Guildford Lane -Significant Single storey Edwardian bluestone workshop with interwar brick addition above Also contributory to Flanigan Lane.References: 52-60:52 MMBW detail plan no 1017, 1894 held by State Library of Victoria and City of Melbourne rate books, Volume 33: 1896, Bourke ward, rate no 1464, VPRS 5708/P9, Public Record Office Victoria.53 City of Melbourne, rate books, Volume 42: 1906, Bourke Ward, rate no 1403, VPRS 5708/P9, Public Record Office Victoria.54 As noted in City of Melbourne, Central Activities District Conservation Study, Graeme Butler, 1985, Building Identification Form ’32-4 Guildford Lane’.55 See http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70, http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/819#timeline-title, http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/815, accessed 1 June 2016.56 City of Melbourne, rate books, Volume 46: 1910, Bourke Ward, rate nos 1392-1394, VPRS 5708/P9, Public Record Office Victoria.57 City of Melbourne, rate books, Volume 46: 1910, Bourke Ward, rate nos 1393 and 1394, VPRS 5708/P9, Public Record Office Victoria.58 City of Melbourne, rate books, Volume 51: 1915, Bourke Ward, rate no 1346, VPRS 5708/P9, Public Record Office Victoria.59 City of Melbourne, rate books, Volume 56: 1920, Bourke Ward, rate no 372, VPRS 5708/P9, Public Record Office Victoria60 Sands & McDougall directory, 1924..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 81, p35; CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS 1063.VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-1050Laneway pattern developed by 1855. Progressive development of adjacent allotments shown on 1866 map and 1880 Panorama which possibly shows buildings on this corner. 2 room brick house on this site 1895, demolished 1900.1905 - Galvanised iron factory, 2 storeys, owned by C Langford.1909 - Extant 2 storey warehouse built, owned by C Langford. This building incorporates fabric (bluestone walling) from an earlier structure on the site..MAHLSTEDT FIRE INSURANCE PLAN SERIES STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIASection 2, Map 4A, south side of lane1925 Neilson Chrome Pty Ltd (sic), 2 storey masonry, doors to centre and east end, central door to Flanigan Lane- windows either side.1962 as 32 -2 storey masonry, doors to centre and east end, with two windows, central rear door to Flanigan Lane 6 windows along west side..CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONShttps://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/60672/images/44777_349585-000201920 3003 ₤120 …new escape stairs…1929 11920 ₤25 alts to building etc..YUNCKEN FREEMAN ARCHITECTS P/L 1976.. HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 5 (source 82) -D. GUILDFORD LANE PRECINCTThis precinct, off the eastern side of Queen Street between La Trobe and Little Lonsdale Streets, is formed by an unusual internal circuit laneway system which encloses a group of older warehouses and factories. It is similar to the pattern of Little La Trobe Street between Elizabeth and Swanston Streets, but is much narrower and more compact.The small brick factories and warehouses within this area are of a consistent utilitarian two or three-stories character from the turn of the Century, and provide a fascinating example of concentrated commercial development in that era. While few buildings are of architectural significance individually, they form a-remarkably intact historical grouping which accommodates an interesting range of small-scale manufacturing activity, much of which is directly visible to passers-by from street level.Proximity of this precinct to that proposed for Queen Street provides a good opportunity for linking the two areas directly, as complementary units. The Guildford Lane link passes between the Mental Health Authority Building (1859) and the Rex Advertising Warehouse (1909), both of which are recommended for registration.This could be greatly enhanced by sympathetic restoration of the Mental Health Authority Building, as part of the Queen Street precinct and as a "gateway" into the Guildford Lane precinct. The contrast in scale and character between these two areas provides a valuable reminder of the differences between the civic splendour and commercial realities of 19th Century inner Melbourne.The existing uses are essentially an extension of the original building uses and represent no threat to the external fabric of the buildings which is the main interest of the area. Continuation of this activity, which already includes a number of small manufacturers and craft-type industry, offers considerable scope for diversification into other compatible retail and service uses..LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Record 76557 Langford, Clement Melbourne VIC Factories Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Richmond 1908 10 6 1063, MCC registration no 1063 [Burchett Index]. Fee 2.10.0, stone(store?) factory, Guilford76563 Langford, Clement Melbourne VIC Factories; Factories Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Richmond 1914 05 16 4919, MCC registration no 4919 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.10.0, store & factory Guilford Lane.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1916https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241412945`…fire broke out in a furniture store in Guildford lane, near Latrobe street, Melbourne, owned and occupied by Mr C. J. Langford, manufacturer1927https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222619720£15,000 FIREFurniture Factory BurntThree firemen were injured and £15.000 damage was caused when afire burnt out H. A. Branchflower's furniture factory. Guildford lane (20-22).….The building was owned by Clements Langford Bridge road. Richmond1950https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22913455Tenants are buying their premises...By HARRY PERROTTThe Argus Real Estate Writer...`One was a four-storey brick factory building at 20 Guildford lane, off Queen st., near Latrobe Kt., Jor £15,000. The building is on land 46 by 61 ft. Vendor was the estate of the late Clements Langford, and thebuyer was H. A. Branchflower Pty. Ltd., the tenant..DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL191012-14 Charity Organisation Society wood yard–Higgins, Samuel D., manager20 Chalmers & Langford's store22 Riming, William H.24 Prokopis, Peter, hawker28 Lowrey, Miss Ellen28 Russo, Hugo, hawker30 Ryan, ThomasLangford, Clement, ironworker.1915GUILDFORD LANE -- N SIDESutherland atRobins, George , cooperAlford. John. ironworkerJohnston.….... cooper & builder12-14 Charity Organisation Society wood vard-Higgins, Samuel D., manager16-20 Ellis , Robertson & Peddle Pty Ltd. apparel fctry22 Langford , C. J., ironmgrs' store24 Bruce. Mrs Ellen26 Brennan . Miss Alice28 Raftopoolos . James. store30 Langford , C. J., store32 Langford , Clement , Ironworker.1920Alford, John, copper boiler maker16-18 Chocolate Bowl Confectionery Co20-22 Langford, C. J., ironningrs' store24 Vacant26 Wood & Co, patent medicine mnfrs28 Johnston, Arthur, cooper & vat bldr32 Langford, Clement, ironworker.1925Alford. John, copper boiler maker16-18 Chocolate Bowl Pty Ltd, confry mnfrs20-22 Branchflower. H. A., frntre mnfrs24 Bruce, Mrs Ellen26 O'Dea, Mrs Edna28 Johnston, Arthur, cooper & vat bldr30 Clarke, King & Co, poultry food mnfrs32 Nilsen, Cromie Pty Ltd, electrl engnrs32 Nilsen, Oliver J. & Co, elec engrs & contract.193016-18 Bulk store20-22 Branchflower, H. A., furniture manufacturer24-26 Vacant28 Johnston, A., cask merchant30-32 Clarke, King & Co, poultry food mnfrs.19352 Bejab Manfg Co, motor accessrs16 M.C.C. Electric Supply Station18 Readwin Piston Ring Co Pty Ltd, mtr access18 Brown, W., printers' inks mnfr20-22 Branchflower, H. A., furniture manufacturer24-26 Vacant28 Johnston, A., cask merchant28 Piston Ring Co of Aust Pty Ltd, mtr access30-32 Clark, King & Co Pty Ltd, poultry foods
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 104561 | 1 JPEG : 232 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |