Melbourne Wool Exchange, 120-138 King Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1984
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Melbourne Wool Exchange, 120-138 King Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1984
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BIF-CITY 105392
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:__________________________________________________Construction date: 1913-1914Architects: Purchas & TeagueASSOCIATIONS: Melbourne Wool Exchange Pty. Ltd.; 'The Pastoral Review'; State Wool Committee; Melbourne Woolbrokers Association; The West End Club; Wool Buyer Association; H.C. ElderBUILDER: Reinforced Concrete & Monier Pipe Construction Co. Pty Ltd.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryAs with the Wool Exchange (Winfield) Building before it, the Melbourne Woolbrokers' Association needed a central auction room for their produce and had taken steps to establish it near the wool warehouses served by the Yarra's ports. The Winfield held the Association's first auction rooms, (open in 1892, now demolished), which replaced the numerous wool sales conducted by cash agents at various venues throughout Melbourne. This building was developed as its replacement, by the Melbourne Wool Exchange Pty Ltd which was formed in May, 1922. 'To build, construct, enlarge, maintain, alter and improve buildings and premises, for the purpose of a Wool Exchange in the City of Melbourne'. Firms represented by the company included Dalgety & Co., New Zealand Land & Finance, Australian Estates Co., Elder Smith & Co., and the Victorian Producers' Co-Operative: in short, the most important wool agencies in the State. A limited design competition was held amongst six of the city's largest firms, yielding a short list of three, after appraisal by George Arnold, an estate agent, for economic viability. Further options were discussed with the chosen designers, (Purchas & Teague), including adding a floor and either totally or partially cementing the facade. Another tendering process yielded twelve prospective builders and, again, more options regarding the cement brand chosen, were priced. The Reinforced Concrete & Monier Pipe Construction Co. Pty Ltd was the successful contractor, at 35, 830 pounds and using Atlas brand white cement. This was August 1913, after the firm's engineer (John Monash) had been elected the Melbourne University Council and commenced lecturing there on reinforced concrete. The company's first board meeting was held in their building, in November, 1914. Their situation was 'a very convenient one, being close to Spencer Street Railway Station (gateway to rural climes), the Australian Club and Menzies Hotel, (the choice of most wool growers)'. In between these In between these were the wool companies, their offices and warehouses, `...it is expected that it will become the pastoral centre of Melbourne...' and, indeed it was the headquarters for the `Pastoral Review', held the State Wool Committee, the West End Club, the Wool Buyers' Association and a host of agents.DescriptionDesigned as four levels of Roman grandeur, the effect of the building's main elevations was only restricted by the available viewpoints to it. What are now giant order Tuscan pilasters on to King Street, were once of the ornate Corinthian Order, (see side elevation), completing a "Grand Manner" essay similar to the contemporary British Edwardian classicism seen in the work of Francis Swales and Aston Webb, (see Buckingham Palace, 1913, London), albeit somewhat more austere. It was grandeur, but to a budget, comparing with the contemporary neo-Grec styled Mail Exchange, Spencer Street, in its monumentality. The facade's main cornice rises to a pediment over the centre, comprising an upper band of cement connected to the pilasters which demarcate the three bays of the main elevation. A quarry-faced coursed basalt plinth completes the image of monumental strength, rising in a dressed form, around the main entrance. Inside, the many small offices express clearly the building's original use, as did the auction rooms, (as inspected 1976).External IntegrityThe King Street pilaster capitals have been modified sympathetically.StreetscapeA major corner element which relates architecturally to the adjoining 538-42 Lt. Collins Street, (q.v.).SignificanceThe oldest surviving Wool Exchange in Melbourne and symbolic, along with nearby warehouses, of the now curtailed port function of the Yarra River. Also, the winning design chosen amongst others submitted by Melbourne's foremost commercial architectural firms and associated (with many other designs) with Major Monash, as consulting engineer, it is also among the early large reinforced concrete buildings in Victoria..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDY :Building Identification Form cites source 79, p76.PERROTT, LYON, TIMLOCK AND KESA 1976, C.B.D. STUDY, CITY OF MELBOURNE CONSERVATION STUDY AREA TWO120-138 KING STREETMELBOURNE WOOL EXCHANGEDESCRIPTION:Brick faced, reinforced concrete building of four levels, containing offices and sale rooms; the major sales room (82' x 120')'being naturally lit by a lantern over:SITE: 150' x 112'BUILT: 1913-14BUILDER: Monier Reinforced Concrete ConstructionsARCHITECT: Purchas and TeagueOWNER: Melbourne Wool .Exchange Pty. Ltd. (1912-72)OCCUPIERS:Melbourne Wool Exchange (1912-72)A variety of wool industry tenants, i.e. agents, brokers etc. 1914-e.g.J.W. HughesWilson and CanhamH.A. BennettSmith and Hume'The Pastoral Review'State Wool CommitteeMelbourne Woolbrokers AssociationL. LerouxThe West End ClubWool Buyer AssociationH.C. Elder etc..NOTES:{1) The Melbourne Wool Exchange Pty. Ltd. was incorporated May 22, 1912. Amongst its objects were .... 'To build, construct, enlarge, maintain, alter and improve buildings and premises •.. for the purpose of a Wool Exchange in the City of Melbourne .`...To purchase and acquire land and premises, Allotment 19, Section 15, 'Melbourne City...'Company's holding capital in the company were:DalgetyNew Zealand Loan and MercantileAustralian, Mercantile Land and FinanceAustralian Estates Co.Young Husband & Co.Elder, Smith & Co.Victoria Producers Co-operative.George L. Aitken was the Chairman of Directors. TheCompany was generally formed from the MelbourneWoolbrokers Assoc. member companies.(2) Architects invited to submit designs and estimates: (6)Sydney Smith and OggGerard WrightCharles A. D'EbroOakden and BallantyneBates, Peebles and SmartPurchas and Teague6.8.12 The six designs were viewed: then being despatched to George Arnold (Estate Agent) to eliminate those not suitable for rental values.6.9.12 Three designs remaining: out of those Purchas and Teague were the winners. Further improvements to the winning design were discussed. (A fourth floor was discussed).4.10.12 The fourth floor was opted for at an estimated extra £5,000.14.3.13 Alternative elevations to King and Little Collins Streets were submitted: one in cement only, the other in brick and cement. The latter was adopted.(3)1.8.13 Tenders received from -Monier and Co., W.E. Cooper, L. Hansen, Swanson Bros. etc., 12 in all. Prices included the use ofi) . ordinary cementii) 'Zedusky Cement' oriii) 'White Atlas Cement'Monier was chosen; they were the lowest tenderers, i.e.i) £35 ,830ii) £35,905iii) £35,905Option three was chosen, i.e. the use of 'White Atlas Cement'.27.2.14 The lift tender from Weymouth Pty. Ltd. was accepted, including one electric and one hydraulic lift. Leasing was already well advanced at this point: total rental was based on 5 - 6% of estimated capital cost of building18.6.14 Removal of existing Wool Exchange seating from the envisaged date of completion 1. 7.14. ..20.11.14 First board meeting in Wool Exchange Board Room.15.4.15 Final Cost: £37,247/10/7.13.12.15 Resolution to adopt wrought iron railing on frontage to King Street, at street level, cordoning off the area not built on. Purchas asked to have it recorded that this was against the wishes of the Architects.(7.1.16) Resolution to urge removal of the words 'Wool Exchange' from the building in Collins Street,previously used as such. (Winfield Building)SOURCE: Extracts from the Minute Books held by Wool Brokers Association.Extract from Brochure, titled: 'The Melbourne Wool Exchange Building, corner of Kings Street and Little Collins Street, Melbourne’.`The situation of the, property is a very convenient one, and for many purposes a very central one, being close to Spencer Street Railway Station, The . Australian Club, and Menzies l Hotel; in betweenthe various Wool Companies' Offices and Warehouses, c1ose to many of the leading Merchants' Warehouses and to the Collins Street and Bourke Street Trams.The Building is a handsome edifice. It will contain the Sales Rooms of the Melbourne Woolbrokers' Association, and it is expected that it will become the pastoral centre of Melbourne.The Building, being on the corner of two streets with a road at rear, will have special facilities for lighting and ventilation. The main entrance will be in King Street, but there will be entrances in Little Collins Street and Gallagher's Lane'.ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE:a) Importance in Style InvolvementThe original design, prepared by Purchas and Teague (refer illustration) , was based on the use of a cement facade. The Roman feeling was intended, using the Corinthian order, full fluted columns in the Portico, with pilasters used on the remainder of the facade. The cornice was bracketed and the pediment enriched with cement filigree.The existing design was a complete reversal from the original fully eclectic design.The Roman Doric order was employed through the portico cols. and the flanking pilasters became, visually, much simpler. There was no cement decoration applied to the. basic expression, and as such, the facade takes on similarities to the Romantic Classical Revival in the 18th Century Britain. (Gibb's Designs for King's College, Cambridge c.1772). However, the simplification goes further; the window openings have expressed isolated lintels, the simple bracketed parapet line is 'very severe. The quite uneclectic canopy bracketed over the entrance is also severely expressed.Although this simplification was directly attributable to reducing the unit-cost of the whole, the outcome is definitely an early expression of an utilitarian approach to decorating a facade.This building may be then seen as the forerunner of the Greek Revival and general Classic Revival of the 1930's i.e. Emily McPherson School of Domestic Economy, Russell Street, The Royal College of Surgeons, Spring Street.It represents a definite style-milepost. .b) Visual ImportanceThe aspect of the building is unfortunate: there is no distant frontal viewpoint on the same horizontal plain.The building is always viewed from above or-below its podium level. Its corner location, at least, allows part expression of the 'temple whole' but overall the siting is unsuitable for the design. .However, viewed as detached from its siting; the design is balanced, the materials are in sympathy, one to the other, and the whole has an austerity which has direct appeal to the current movement in architecture..National Trust of Australia (Vic)The former Melbourne Wool Exchange was erected in 1913-14 by Monier Reinforced Concrete Constructions. The architects were Purchas and Teague. The building served as the Wool Exchange until 1972. The reinforced concrete structure comprises four levels containing offices and former sales rooms. The major salesroom (82 feet x 120 feet) is illuminated naturally by a lantern light. This building is notable for its former role as the Melbourne Wool Exchange and once operated as the heart of the wool-broking business in Victoria. It is designed in a classical style that was common during this period and is one of the largest examples in this style. It is an interesting example of the works of Purchas and Teague and a landmark of King Street.Classified: 20/03/1980.HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSThe Melbourne Wool Exchange Pty Ltd was formed in 1912 from the membership of the Melbourne Woolbrokers Assoc. The following year they commenced construction of their headquarters comprising offices and sales rooms. The design by architects, Purchas and Teague, was selected from an architectural competition. The classical revival building is demonstrative of the continued economic wealth generated by the wool industry..Victorian Heritage Inventory H7822-1583Part of Allotment 15 sold in first land sale, 1 June 1837, to Thomas Walker (ú125/8/0). 1866 - building on site.1866 - building on site.1888 & 1905 - mixture of 1 & 2 storey buildings including Bond store, houses & yards.1913 - Melbourne Wool Exchange constructed large building to serve as offices & auction rooms.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Sat 31 Oct 1914 Page 59https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/143290258
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105392 | 1 PDF : 1,707 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |