Stalbridge Chambers Hotel, later Queens Mansions Hotel and Stalbridge Chambers, 443-435 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Stalbridge Chambers Hotel, later Queens Mansions Hotel and Stalbridge Chambers, 443-435 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105937
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 2022:__________________________________________________Period: VictorianDATE: 1891;ASSOCIATIONS: R C Brown;DESIGNER: Askew, David C;BUILDER: Brown, R.C..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDY, as amended 1990Statement of SignificanceStalbridge Chambers435-443 Little Collins StreetMelbournePreambleThe Stalbridge Hotel, shops and offices replaced the Waterloo Hotel on this site, commencing early 1890 and being completed by 1891. It was designed by Twentyman & Askew for owner-builder, R C Brown of Brighton Road, St. Kilda.1 Brown appears to have been both a builder and owner of a Port Melbourne joinery shop.2Evidently only a limited part of the building was used as an hotel (9 rooms) while the rest of the floors were offices, with two shops facing Little Collins Street.3 The owners once completed, included Gibbs Bright & Co. and later, the Scottish Amicable Society.From 1905 it was Queens Mansions, with most floors used as offices. A 1976 study recommended retention of the whole building, noting the Corinthian blind arcading in the lobby and iron-balustraded stone open-plan stair.ExteriorDesigned in a highly ornamented Italian Renaissance revival manner, Stalbridge Chambers is typical of the Twentyman & Askew practice during Askew's involvement. Its six-storey height, deep string moulds and strong facade modelling make the most of the corner site to provide a powerful architectural presence. This is enhanced by the contrast in scale with the confined spaces of Little Collins Street and Bank Place where the building acts as a splendid gatepost to what is a notable architectural precinct.Interior 5Lobby:Corinthian arcading and moulded timber dado panelling, as noted in 1976, plus the stone open-plan stair, and heavily panelled double entry doors are the main elements. The original ceiling (concealed) has deep moulded cornices. Of the two lift cars at the far end: one has a 1920s leadlight lobby door and the other has been converted in the 1950s (?) with fire-isolated doors and new lift car. What was either an encaustic tile floor or the typical 19th. century marble and slate tiles, has been resurfaced in terrazzo.Upper Floors:Typical passage floors were marble and slate, diaper pattern, tiles (recently 95% removed). The top floor had encaustic 'JTH' tiles (also removed). All floors have a light-weight cement screed above a decorative plaster ceiling and beneath timber flooring. Every room has a fireplace but all original mantel-pieces have been removed, recently. (One, thought to be original, survives in the basement- black marble (?) with. iron register ~rate and tiles.). Remnants of brown marble in the upper level fireplaces indicate a vaned design. Most (95%) of the original subdivision remains as do all cornices, four-panel doors, architraves, double-hung sashes, skirtings, doors and architraves plus some door furniture, including most finger plates. Wall-paper remnants from c1900 and c1930 also are evident, as are gas brackets at fireplaces and on walls. Some lobby archways leading to the stair have been filled in to fire-Isolate the stair-well, detail remains.Basement and shopsOriginal elements include Corinthian cast-iron columns and the basement slate and marble passage floor, plus some joinery and plaster details. The shopfronts have been replaced c1915-25 with metal-framing and leaded lights.SignificanceBuilt in 1890-1, Stalbridge Chamber is externally perhaps the best of the many richly decorated, Boom-era designs from architects, Twentyrnan & Askew. As the product of an owner builder (R C Brown) epitomises the speculative nature of the time and, with its combination of hotel, shops and offices, offers an early example of multi-use development. It also has an important role at the entry point to the important Bank Place precinct and by contrast in scale and ornament, stands out in the surrounding streetscape.Internally, despite the unfortunate removal of valuable fittings and finishes, enough of the the interior remains to at the least, support the expression of the exterior and, at the most, warrant individual attention as a CBD 19th. century office building which still has 95% of its original subdivision, fittings and mouldings. The entrance lobby is particularly notableNOTES1.MCC PA 4271 23.12.18892 Wise, Victorian Post Office Directory 1891-2 builder in Flinders Lane. joiner in ingles Street?3 Reid & Reid, ·CBD Study Area T unpublished report to HBC, Melbourne. 1976, p.96, cites rate books4 Ibid.5 inspection, February 1989.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0502https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/783Statement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Stalbridge Chambers was built in 1890-1891 for R C Brown to the design of architects Twentyman & Askew. Brown was the president of the Buildings and Contractors' Association, and his company were responsible for the construction of the building. The new nine storey building, including a basement, replaced the Waterloo Hotel. It was speculatively built to attract tenancies. It incorporated a hotel bar and shops on the ground floor with office space above. The construction is brick with facing Harcourt granite to the ground floor and render above. The floors are a composite construction of concrete and timber supported by cast iron columns and steel joists. Internally the entrance lobby and stairs are particularly notable. Stylistically the building is an example of Mannerist design, incorporating a free use of elements of Renaissance architecture, such as pilasters, pediments, Doric and Corinthian orders, round arch windows and bold rustication at the ground floor level. The exaggerated cornice at attic storey level is supported by masculine, fluted brackets. Alterations to the shop fronts were carried out in 1929 and 1954.How is it significant?Stalbridge Chambers is of architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?Stalbridge Chambers is architecturally significant as an intact example of a richly decorated, boom-period Mannerist design by the noted Melbourne architects Twentyman & Askew. Twentyman and Askew were also responsible for another Mannerist design, the Block Arcade. As the product of the owner-builder R C Brown, the building epitomises the speculative nature of the early 1890s period and, with its combination of hotel, shops, professional chambers and offices, it is an early example of multi-use development. It is a rare example of an unpainted stuccoed high-rise building of the 1890s. The building represents the technological transition in the 1890s, whereby lifts enabled extra storeys and therefore extra rental revenue, but traditional load-bearing brick construction still restricted the overall height of the structure..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7 (source 80), page 95__________________________________________________REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7 (source 80)435-443 Little Collins StreetChronology:Pre 1890 Site occupied by the Waterloo Hotel back to the 70's owned by Weeks and his Trustees.1891-1899Stalbridge Hotel, brick of nine rooms owned by Gibbs, Bright and then the Scottish Amicable Society.1900-1904Stalbridge Hotel listed as nine rooms, but with six floors of offices, two shops and basement, owned by the Scottish Amicable Society.1905-1906Listed as Queens Mansions, six floor brick office.1907-1912Queens Mansions of seven floors. Still owned by Scottish Amicable Society.1913-1930Queens Mansions of seven floors now owned by Kennedy. Evidence is not conclusive that the building was erected in 1891 and there remains doubt as to whether extra floors were added in 1906-7 and 1918. It is unlikely that the building occupied the corner of the site only and was extended westwards, indicated (2), because the primary and original entry is on the west. DESCRIPTIONA heavily textured "Victorian" hotel/office facade, horizontally coursed on the two ground floors and capped with large overhanging supported on 'scroll' corbels all with semicircular pediments.Internally, renovations are currently under way, but the arched foyer walls with Corinthian pilasters seated on timber panelling new being limed. The central open newel stair with stone treads has the thinnest concrete carriage (70 mm) ever viewed by the consultants, balustrading is decorative wrought iron of a non registered design, but this has unfortunately been replaced on the first two flights by simpler balustrading of the 1920's.The original two lifts still only go to the sixth floor, although upper floors have newer lift doors. Isolated cast iron columns still support' central floor loads on arches over the shops.RECOMMENDATIONThe building is of interest as an apparently early example of a multi-storey hotel and is in basically original form, although the extent of current alterations is not known. The whole building is therefore recommended as desirable for retention, but the external facade is recommended as essential because of its contribution to the Bank Place Precinct.__________________________________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0502https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/783History of Place:From at least 1861 the corner of Bank Place and Little Collins Street was the site of a two-storey pub, the Waterloo Hotel. Stalbridge Chambers were begun in 1891 but the completion date is not known. The levels above ground floor were not tenanted until the mid 1890s, possibly when the building was finally completed. The basement was tenanted by 1897 and a caretaker moved into the attic flat in 1898. Rate books in 1900 describe the building as Stalbridge Hotel with nine rooms and six floors of offices and a basement. .Between 1916 and 1926 there were minor alterations to the basement and wall partitions. The shop fronts were altered in 1928 and 1929. The original Stalbridge Chambers Hotel was replaced in 1903 by the Queens Mansions Hotel. From the beginning a pub occupied the corner and part of the grounsd floor shop area but it was replaced by a stationer by World War 1. The entrance lobby may have been refurbished in 1932.(Stalbridge Chambers, Bruce Henderson, 1988)Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction files, University of Melbourne ArchivesStalbridge Chambers File no. 640November 1907, 3rd storey ceiling failed and replaced by Monier concrete. File talks of concrete ceilings papered 12 years previously, ie c1895. Coke breeze concrete construction in original building.Associated People: R C Brown - owner of Stalbridge Chambers in 1891, and President of the Buildings and Contractors' Association__________________________________________________LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX: Record76536 Twentyman & Askew, Brown, R C Melbourne VIC Hotels; Office Buildings; Shops Brown, R C - Brighton Rd St Kilda 1889 12 23 4271__________________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Fri 30 Dec 1887 Page 4 CITY IMPROVEMENTS.Elizabeth Street.Fink's Corner, the corner of Flinders street east, (Messrs Twentyman and Askew, Architects ; Mr R, C. Brown, contractor,) L30,000.The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Fri 22 May 1891 Page 10 NEW CITY BUILDINGS.NEW CITY BUILDINGS.Chancery lane, even on the brightest of Bunny afternoons, is not the most cheerful neighbourhood imaginable. The conservatism peculiar to the legal profession seems to have extended itself to the houses, which are, for the most part, small, dingy, and old fashioned, so much so, indeed, that the few modern buildings become almost palatial by contrast. But even Chancery lane cannot altogether hold out against modern ideas, and during the last few years some of the most venerable of its tenements have given place to handsome modern structuresDecidedly the most important of these is the new building known as Stalbndge chambers, erected by Mr R C Brown, at the comer of Chancery lane and Bank place, and just now on the point of completion With a total height from ground line to pediment of 125ft, the block, even m a less elevated site, would tower above the building line, but occupying one of the highest points in the city, its massive proportions are correspondingly improved. The façade which, including the basement, is pierced for nine stones, is designed in the Italian renaissance style, and has a very handsome appearance. Harcourt granite has been solely employed with excellent effect in the construction of the first storey, above that the material is brick and cement, the effect of the design being further enhanced by an unusually large and ornate entrance Throughout the architect, Mr D C Askew, has very happily combined solidity with grace, and in spite of the narrowness of the street, the appearance of the block is eminently striking and effective.Mr R C Brown, the proprietor, has preferred to act as his own contractor, and thus he has been able to carry out his own ideas with peculiar thoroughness The building is designed for solicitors' offices, and accordingly offers special inducements to the legal profession Altogether the eight upper flats contain 60 spacious and well lighted offices, capable of being used either in suites or as separate rooms. Each of the nine flats contains four strongrooms, solidly) built of brick and cement. Even the basement can hardly be distinguished from the upper floors so well have the lighting arrangements been carried out Special precautions have also been taken to render the building lire proof The floors are of kauri pine on red gum joists, but beneath is a solid substratum of 7m of cement concrete, supported on girders of rolled iron. In the passages black and white marble tiles take the place of the flooring boards The skirting is throughout of cement, and the mantelpieces are of marble In fact, wherever possible stone and cement have replaced wood, and the builder is able to say that against all ordinary outbreaks, not only each flat but each room in every flat is thoroughly fire proof. A bluestone staircase runs from the entrance hall to the top of the building and in addition to this there are two Waygood hydraulic elevators of the latest and most improved type In the entrance hall the walls are wainscoted to a height of 3ft 6in , with walnut, panelled with Queensland silky oak, an ornamental wood of great beauty, and peculiarly valuable for cabinet work Each floor has its separate lavatories, and on the roof, which, as usual with modem buildings is flat is a convenient system of offices and outhousesThe eastern portion of the building is devoted to the purposes of a hotel which, although forming part of the same block, is entirely cut off from the offices. The hotel contains a spacious dining hall, very elegantly fitted out, and is connected with the kitchens on the upper floors by a special Waygood goods lift, which ascends and descends in less than a quarter of a minute All the arrangements for the restaurant are devised on the moat elaborate scale and the same may be said of the three shops which form a conspicuous figure of the ground floor façade The total cost of the block, which occupies a frontage of 87ft to Chancery lane by a depth of 66ft was over £80,000
Related material link:
Stalbridge Chambers, 435-443 Little Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler14095\\)Stalbridge Chambers, 435-443 Little Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler14097\\)Stalbridge Chambers, 435-443 Little Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler14098\\)Stalbridge Chambers, 435-443 Little Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler14096\\)
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Research and reports
Record number:
1254429
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105937 | 1 PDF : 846 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |