Mortimer's later Zanders store, 6-8 Highlander Lane, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Mortimer's later Zanders store, 6-8 Highlander Lane, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 104823
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.
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:Period: Early VictorianConstruction date: 1854ASSOCIATIONS: Mortimer, William H; Cecilia Zander;DESIGNER: Southward, Taylor & Co?;BUILDER: Southward, Taylor & Co - Melbourne.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryThis is the first warehouse built in what became an extensive complex, then located adjacent to Melbourne's first port. Hodgkinson's 1853-4 series of Melbourne plans show this site vacant, adjacent masonry (stone?), iron and timber stores comprising the rest of the present complex site. By c1855-6, Thomas Bibb's plan shows the whole of the present warehouse, in plan, having been joined to the previous (stone?) warehouse along its eastern side. Mahlstedt & Gee's `Standard Plans’ of Melbourne (1888) show this warehouse as in two parts, set in an `L-plan,' all as three storeys and all the property of Zander (Zander's Bonded Stores).The land had been acquired by Henry Mortimer in 1853, together with another lot, for 100 pounds. His ownership then extended to King Street but, possibly as a result of erecting these stores, he was also in debt to the Bank of Victoria by 2500 pounds. Mortimer sold the King Street part of the block to George Mouritz and William Poole in 1857, Mouritz having been the occupier of the Highlander Lane block since its erection in 1854.It is possible that the stone section immediately to the rear of this warehouse, sandwiched between it and Zander's 1873 King Street block, dates from prior to 1851, when Mortimer purchased the land from Charles Barnes. However, this is today, only two stone wall sections, the building having been amalgamated with the 1873 and 1854 wings.Cecilia Zander purchased this warehouse from the bank in 1867, and occupied it, leasing it out only during the difficult period of the mid-1890s. Her death, in 1876, eventually led to Pat Doyle becoming the new owner-occupier of this and the other nearby stores in 1903.H. W. Mortimer & Co. were early Melbourne auctioneers, Mortimer having arrived at Port Phillip in 1840 and set up initially as a butcher in Collins Street West (later site of Bank of N.S.W.). He eventually owned many Melbourne sites including property on Queen's Wharf. He died in July 1887. George Mouritz had also arrived at Port Phillip in 1840 and rose from a clerk to that of ship owner eventually, with Poole, a founding member of the Melbourne Steamship Company. He claimed to be instrumental in setting up the Melbourne Harbour Trust in 1876.The next in line, J. C. Zander, commenced business in La Trobe Street during 1852, moving to this warehouse in 1855. Cecilia Zander inherited her husband’s business in 1858, expanding the enterprise in a difficult economic period to a point where she was able to purchase her formerly leased premises in 1867 and build a new warehouse on King Street in 1873. By 1887 she owned storage capacity equal to 21,000 tons of merchandise.DescriptionThree storeys of coursed rubble bluestone at the northern end only, the balance of the Lane facade has been reduced to two and the roof line of both wings rebuilt. Internally the southern wing has been amalgamated with stores to the west, short wall nibs (as in 1975) indicating the former dividing walls. Early aerial views over the site reveal that the main roof has a series of hipped bays (3) with a gabled roof line extending over the present three storey wing to match the 1887 Zander store on the west. Because the roof has been reconstructed over much of the building, the typical heavy timber roof trusses and columns have gone, although the latter survived in the north wing as of 1975.External IntegrityRoof rebuilt and one storey removed from the southern section perimeter walls. What had survived until 1975, as herringbone-boarded door pairs to each loading opening on the north wing, have now been removed and refitted as mock-Georgian pane windows with bellied wrought iron balconettes. Openings have been blocked and created on the south block.StreetscapePart of an important warehouse group.SignificanceAltered and now reduced to a mere carcass, it nevertheless is the oldest surviving part of a notable stone warehouse group which, unlike the other comparable complex (Cleve's), is close to the wharf sites which supported warehouse activity. With the Glass warehouse, at 71-73 A'Beckett Street, and the core of Young & Jackson's Hotel, it is the oldest of its type in the C.A.D..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites PERROTT, LYON, TIMLOCK AND KESA 1976, C.B.D. STUDY, CITY OF MELBOURNE CONSERVATION STUDY AREA TWO: 8LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Records for Mortimer, W H 1850s warehouse in area75727 Mortimer, W H Melbourne VIC Warehouses Southward, Taylor & Co - Melbourne 1854 01 21 107-MCC registration no 107 [Burchett Index]. Fee 4.10.0stone store, off Flinders St - next lane to Royal Highlander75728 Mortimer, W H Melbourne VIC Warehouses Southward, Taylor & Co - Melbourne 1854 01 21 107-MCC registration no 107 [Burchett Index]. Fee 4.10.0stone store, off Flinders St - next lane to Royal Highlander
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 104823 | 1 PDF : 767 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |