Swanston House, 163-165 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Swanston House, 163-165 Swanston Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 109281
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 2023:__________________________________________________Period: Edwardian/ Inter-WarDATE: 1921;ASSOCIATIONS: Ezywalkin Company Pty Ltd;DESIGNER: Barnet, Nahum;BUILDER: Robertson, AB Elsternwick___________________________________GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Swanston House was constructed by AB Robertson at an estimated cost of ₤18,000 for the shoe retailer, Ezywalkin Company Pty Ltd, in 1921 to the design of the prolific and important commercial architect, Nahum Barnet. The reinforced concrete building had six upper-levels, ground floor and basement. Each floor was served by a concrete encased lift, entry stair and concrete encased timber escape stair at the rear corner of the building, that also provided lavatory access. The ground level had deep retail show cases with a recessed entry to allow after hours shopping via a maximised glass display area. Pavement lights offered daylight to the basement and a cantilever awning shelter over the pavement. An internal balcony ran the full length of the ground level as a mezzanine or `Gallery' leading to superintending office space at the rear that overlooked the retail floor. The roof was flat and accessible. Indicative of the minor boom in retailing at this immediate post War period were the planned extra two levels that were never built.Opening in October 1922 the NEW BOOT, SHOE, and SLIPPER STORE's large display advertising boasted many slogans: `To-day is the day and 9 a.m. the time, so be with us, as we always back our promises with performances…See our Displays - Compare Quality - Marvel at the Prices-and remember-we guarantee Fair Wear or a Free Pair…at Factory to foot prices' and `Made in Our Own Factory'. The Ladies Department was on the first floor, `to which an efficient lift service' was provided and Gentlemen's and Children's Department were just inside the door on the ground floor: `Our Stocks are tremendous in all departments and a staff of experts is waiting to wait on you'. Proximity of the store to Myer and the Leviathan would have been a key factor as the emerging retail centre of Melbourne.Walter David Cookes established the Ezywalkin Shoe Company Pty Ltd in 1901. Originally from Bombala, New South Wales, Cookes started with John Hunter & Co. in Perth (1895-1900) but later joined with T.O. Gaze to commence a shoe store in Freemantle (Ezywalkin). The Melbourne factory was established in 1910, becoming a separate company in 1912. In that year, the first Ezywalkin boot and shoe store was opened in Melbourne and another in Adelaide (1913), run by a separate arm of the firm. He as also director of the Clifton Shoe Co. Pty Ltd and aided the founding of the Boot and Shoe Manufacturers Association in 1910.Despite his rapid rise in the business world, Cookes was also deeply involved with the rationalist and socialist movements in the 1920s. Cookes backed the Rationalist Association of Victoria, and brought John Langley over from Western Australia as association secretary and lecturer in 1918. His intention was to revitalise Victorian rationalism using Langley’s skill and knowledge: he was treasurer of the Rationalist Association of Victoria from November 1919 until July 1921, when he resigned because of the pressure of business including the opening of this store. Even after this date he provided resources such as use of his Rolls Royce to organise speaking tours by international rationalist identities at Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat, all of the large provincial cities in Victoria. Cookes moved to establish the new journal, `the Rationalist' in 1924 and from 1925 a foundation director of the newly formed and incorporated Rationalist Association of Australia Limited.The Ezywalkin factory was in Clifton Hill and there was an extensive network of Ezywalkin shops in Australia. Ezywalkin was also advertising in Adelaide and Western Australia during the 1920s. This was a shoe retailing and manufacturing firm that continued until Coles entered the footwear business by purchasing Ezywalkin and when Edward Fay Pty. Ltd. in 1981.This retail and office development, it is notable for its boldly modelled rendered concrete façade distinguished by a central projecting oriel bay rising through the intermediate four storeys of the building to a novel arrangement of arches and projecting cornices at the roof line. The ruled cement façade also features unusual floral devices in the form of suspended garlands and the name of the building (now Swanston House) in raised lettering midway up. The ground floor has been extensively modified but the building is otherwise in good and largely intact condition including the upper-level timber framed windows.The Ezywalkin Building is complementary to the significant adjoining Leviathan Building at the Bourke St corner, as part of a highly significant inter-war streetscape that extends down Swanston Street to the Nicholas Building at Flinders lane.How is it significant?Swanston House is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?Swanston House is of aesthetic significance for its unusual modelled street façade and as part of a highly significant Edwardian-era and inter-war commercial streetscape that extends from the Leviathan Building at the Bourke St corner, down Swanston Street to the Nicholas Building at Flinders lane.Historically Ezywalkin is a household name in retailing in Swanston street when the Capital City Zone was Victoria's premier retailing centre. The building' creation also has close links to the personal history of noted businessman and rationalist, Walter Cookes._____________________RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneHistory and Description163-165 Swanston Street, was constructed c.1920. Although essentially a simple retail and office development, it is notable for its boldly modelled façade. The street elevation is distinguished by a projecting bay rising through the intermediate four storeys of the building to a novel arrangement of arches and projecting cornices at the roof line. The façade also features unusual floral devices and the name of the building in raised lettering at above the third floor. The ground floor has been extensively modified but the building is otherwise in good and largely intact condition.Statement of SignificanceSwanston House is of aesthetic significance at a local level of note for its unusual modelled building facade..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM_______________________________________Albany Public Library:Ezywalkin Boot and Shore Shop - Large Advert for factory to foot - exhibition. 04-11-1925__________________________________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE DATABASEButler, G, 1985, Heidelberg Conservation Study place history:`This house was built by F.W. Hollis for shoe manufacturer, Walter D. Cookes in 1920 and cost £3,700.Walter David Cookes established the Ezywalkin Shoe Company Pty Ltd in 1901. Originally from Bombala, New South Wales, he started with John Hunter & Co. in Perth (1895-1900) but later joined with T.O. Gaze to commence a shoe store in Freemantle (Ezywalkin). The Melbourne factory was established in 1910, becoming a separate company in 1912. In that year, the first Ezywalkin boot and shoe store was opened in Melbourne and another in Adelaide (1913), run by a separate arm of the firm. He as also director of the Clifton Shoe Co. Pty Ltd and aided the founding of the Boot and Shoe Manufacturers Association in 1910.'__________________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)Walter CookesSubjects: Cookes, Walter.; Footwear industry -- AustraliaSummary: Bust, to left, 90 year old governing director of Ezywalkin shoes. Shoes in foreground.Bookmark http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10988220RALPH BIDDINGTON (Ralph Biddington an historian and a member of the committeeof the Rationalist Society of Australia.) `James Humphrey Skerry: The unremarked rationalist leader1898–1971' :`...By 1925 Skerry had passed the necessary examinations entitling him to establish a private business called J Humphrey Skerry, Accountant, 271 Collins Street, Melbourne. While studying accountancy Skerry worked in a number of commercial offices, and certainly had connections with the Ezywalkin Shoe Company owned by Walter Cookes. He later had significant contracts with Cookes, and knew him well personally, but from all accounts their relationship was friendly and businesslike but not close. Walter Cookes was a devoted rationalist and socialist in the 1920s. He owned the Ezywalkin Shoe Company, which had headquarters in Clifton Hill and an extensive network of shops. He was instrumental in backing the Rationalist Association of Victoria, and brought John Langley over from Western Australia as secretary and lecturer in 1918. The intention was to revitalise Victorian rationalism using Langley’s skill and knowledge.`The Argus'Saturday 9 April 1921tenders called by Barnet for 7 storey building 163-165 Swanston St for Ezywalkin Pty ltd.. Quantities by JA Wood and Son.Saturday 21 October 1922Showrooms and offices shortly available for lease on the 5th and 6th floors Swanston House- Ezywalkin 52 Elizabeth StMonday 30 October 1922(Opening Day)`Doors Open as the Post Office Clock Strikes 9EZYWALKIN'SNEW BOOT, SHOE, and SLIPPER STORE *SWANSTON STREET(next door to Leviathan)The whole family catered for at our'Factory 'o Foot' PricesTo-day is the day and 9 a.m. the time, so be with us, as we alwaysback our promises with performancesSee our Displays-Compare Quality-Marvel at the Prices-andremember-we guarantee Fair Wear or a Free Pair12/9 EZYWALKSN,Ladies' White CanvasLace Shoes.Smart Snappy Lace-Covered Cuban heel Also In Courts-and the Latest Fashionable Two StrapSWANSTON STREET.Branches.52-54 Elizabeth Street, City.260 Smith Street, CollingwoodClarendon Street, South Melbourne....19/ 6 Ladies' WhiteBuck Courts.Pump Sole-Louis HeelsGood Fitting Extended Last14 /9 Ladies' White Canvas Sport Shoe.Buck Cap Strap and Facings Fitted With Covered Low HeelBig Things For Little FeetWhite Buck Ankle Strip and One Birs4 /11 Tan Calf Sandals ..White Buck Sandals...Welted Soles Sizes 3 4 5 67/ 11 - Girls' Patent Merrie Maid Shoes - 7/11The Famous Piddle Bnnd-Firm Sewn Soles-Girls Wear Them Everywhere-Sizes 7 to 3 7 II IO to 13 0 II , to 3 IO 6Ladies' Tan WillowCalf OxfordsOn Spot Shape-Finished With LowHeelsA Beautiful Wilkin ShoeMen's Box Calf LaceShoes.Full Cut Galoshes-On Nobby LastA Real BonzerLadies' Patent Colt Oxfords.White Lined-The Ever Popular Cuban Heel * Comfortable Fitting ShoeNo Limit to Value23/ 6 Ladies' Grey KidLace ShoesPump Solos-Shapely Cut and HeelA Finish to Smart Dressing18/9 Ladies' Black Suede Tivoli Tie.Pump Sole-Covered Half LouisHeelsMade in Our Own FactoryChild's Patent Sandals.Welted Soles-Built on Natural Shape...Ladies' Slippers.Felt Uppers-Chrome Sole-PomTrimming 2/11Others in Selected Felt Leather and Chrome Soles with or without heelsLadies Department on the first floor, to which an efficient lift service is providedGentlemen s and Children s Department is situate just inside the door on the ground floorOur Stocks are tremendous in all departments and a staff of experts is waiting to wait on you...Made from Selected Snoduclt Solid White Rubber Soles, and Heels - As Worn at America s Most Famous Watering Place Palm Beach...EZYWALKINThe Firm that undersells 165 SWANSTON STREET, CITYBranches: 52-54 ELIZABETH STREET, 260 SMITH STREET, ...>300 CLARENDON STREET, SOUTH MELBOURNE.'`The Argus': 1922 advertising -Sepps wine café in basement advert fine wines, furnished in Tudor style, great carpets, lighting, also showrooms available on 6th floor of SH__________________________________________________CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONSBuilding Permit Application 1921,3310:Builder, designer, owner; `shops & Dwellings' est cost ₤18,000__________________________________________________FACEBOOK 2022https://www.facebook.com/groups/899174076856396/posts/5461591143947977/Neos Kosmos15 September 2022 5:09pmA seven storey central Melbourne building owned by the Greek Australian family of late Theo Conos for the last 37 years has been listed for sale.Expected to trade for between $15 and $20 million, the so called Swanston House was built in 1922 by architect Nahum Barnet.It is reportedly one of the few properties on the shopping street that have been put up for sale in the past decade or so and agents representing the owners are marketing it for retail occupiers.Theo Conos’ father, Michael Economides had established one of the first Greek restaurant’s in Melbourne in another iconic CBD precinct.OMONIA restaurant on Lonsdale Street opened its doors some 70 years ago after Economides settled in Melbourne.He had migrated from Kastellorizo to Australia in 1908 and became the foundation president of the Kastellorizian Brotherhood in 1925.According to the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria, Theo Conos had to interrupt his architecture studies at 20 years old, when his father passed to take over the fruit shop business the family operated on Carlton’s Lygon Street.An excerpt from a tribute of the Association to Theo Connos on the occasion of awarding him the Kazzie of the Year Award in 2006, reads:“He stuck with the fruit shop for several more years, rising at 3 am to shop at the wholesale Fruit & Vegies market, now the Queen Victoria Market Melbourne. When he sold the shop and ventured into the hospitality business he didn’t succeed, but he learnt from that experience giving him a strong foundation for his future ventures.”In the 1950s, Conos opened a coffee shop just off Collins Street, with several following at the Northland, Southland and the Chadstone Shopping Centres.His portfolio expanded to managing up to 60 businesses over a four-decade period._______________________________________DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1930 Swanston House, list of tenants1924 Swanston House lists 6 floors(1920 Evans Fruiterer)
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109281 | 1 JPEG : 650 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |