McCracken City Brewery malt store, later Ebsworth House, 538-542 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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McCracken City Brewery malt store, later Ebsworth House, 538-542 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105949
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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 2022:__________________________________________________Style: Renaissance revivalPeriod: Early VictorianDATE: 1878-1879, 1909;ASSOCIATIONS: McCracken, Robert & Co;DESIGNER: Elliott, William;BUILDER: Walker, Thomas; Taylor & DuguidNotable features: 1. Relates to wool exchange. 2. Only survivor of large McCracken Brewery Complex..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryThe only survivor of a huge city industrial complex, by 19th Century standards, this former malt store is also one of the few built reminders of a vast brewing firm. Mansions in Essendon are the other, more domestic remnants of the industrial empire, (Earlsbrae, Leslie Road and North Park, Woodlands Street). The two mansions were built for Robert's sons, Colier and Alex, after his death in 1885. The architect for this building was William Elliott and the builder, Thomas Walker & Co.Peter and Robert McCracken's City Brewery , began in 1851 (McCracken & Robertson, 1851-61) and, by the continual updating of brewing methods, prospered, particularly once the company began to tie hotels as sole users of its products. On the industrial relations side, they were the first in the brewing field to give workers the eight-hour day.Their products included bitter ale, the standard `running ale' and stout and their works covered four acres, ironically located adjoining St. James Anglican Cathedral. The imposing Collins Street elevation was in basalt and brick and this malt store in cemented brick, backing on to stabling and a lorry yard extending nearly through to Bourke Street. Most of the Collins Street frontage is now occupied by 500 Collins Street.DescriptionDesigned in a conservative Italian Renaissance style (Palazzo manner) the façade miraculously retains most of its ground and upper level openings, with major moulded divisions ruled off at the first floor and former parapet levels. Above this a matching `attic' addition has been made in a traditional but plain manner, which remains subservient to the original design. Its architectural treatment compares with Currie & Richards' warehouse (1875).External IntegrityThe east wall has new openings and the whole building extends into what were two and one storey stable buildings. It has been thoroughly renovated internally and the adjoining lane built over.StreetscapeComplementary to the Roman grandeur of the Wool Exchange on the west, and the former bonded store across King Street.SignificanceAn unusually intact (façade only) early Palazzo revival warehouse which, by its elevation and vertical subdivision, is expressive of its original use (warehouse), that being part of Victoria's largest early Victorian period brewery and perhaps the largest industrial complex ever to exist in the C.A.D..GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?McCracken's City Brewery was one of the country's leading brewers during the late nineteenth century. The brewery's Melbourne complex occupied a 200' (61m) frontage to Collins Street and the full depth of the block to Little Collins Street. It provided employment for about 110 people and contemporary accounts noted that the plant was fitted out for the latest modern brewery requirements.Robert McCracken's City Brewery , began in 1851 (McCracken & Robertson, 1851-61). Robert McCracken improved his plant throughout the 1870s and increased the number of hotels tied to his firm.`As a leader in labour conditions, he was the first brewer in Melbourne to introduce the eight-hour day in 1879. An avowed protectionist, he encouraged the malting industry and was reckoned one of its best customers. He was also one of the first brewers to realize that cane sugar could balance the instability of colonial malts, an innovation which was perhaps the greatest technical achievement of Victorian brewers… the success of R. McCracken & Co. came in the 1870s that `… brought even greater demand for the company's product, especially as Robert had realized that Victorian drinkers wanted a light, bright-coloured beer. The new product sold well, and the tied house system gave the McCrackens a guaranteed market not only for beer but also for such things as wine, tobacco and sweets bought at a large discount and sold at an even larger profit.'McCracken & Co became a part of Carlton and United Breweries 8 May 1907. Later long-term occupiers were associated with Australian overseas wool marketing.Although situated on the opposite side of Little Collins Street to the main McCracken complex, this three storey building was constructed in two stages as a store for the brewery in 1878-1879. The designer was William Elliott and builders were Thomas Walker & Co for stage one and Taylor & Duguid for stage two. The result, along with the vast complex of which it was a part, is portrayed in a full page etching in `Victoria & Its Metropolis', published 1888. A similar view is shown in the 1882 AC Cook panorama. The warehouse resembles Elliott's warehouse designs for Corrs Lane and the Currie & Richards' warehouse (1875) also Porta and Sons Steam Bellows Works. The building is one of only two brewery buildings surviving in the Capital City Zone (see rear of 104 A'Beckett St) and the only remnant of the giant McCracken complex.The brewery warehouse design took the form of a small Italian Renaissance palazzo with two main levels and an attic, set out in the graduated proportions typical of the style. The expression of this domestic style is made more convincing by its free-standing site, adjoining Gallagher and (formerly) Victoria Lanes. The ground floor is expressed as a heavy base with rustication emanating radially from arcuated windows. The upper floors are generally less ornate with the exception of unusual raised architrave mouldings around the windows at first floor level. The façade terminated in a boldly modelled bracketed cornice. The face brick walls onto the lanes have been painted as have the quarry faced plinth with its segmentally arched basement vents.Some time in the 20th century an additional third and part fourth floor have been added to the building with their own boldly modelled cornice which has modified the vertical proportions of the façade. Minor modification s at ground floor level and external painting of the building's face brickwork have been undertaken but, the Little Collins street façade remains in good and fairly original condition. The secondary Gallagher Place façade has been extensively modified with large modern window openings throughout.How is it significant?McCracken City Brewery malt store is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City Zone.Why is it significant?McCracken City Brewery malt store is of aesthetic significance as a good example of a free-standing form of the Victorian-era Renaissance Revival palazzo type within Melbourne's Capital City Zone. Historically It is also of note as one of only two brewery buildings surviving in the Capital City Zone and the only remnant of the giant McCracken brewing complex, once of national prominence and the largest industrial complex ever to exist in the Capital City Zone..BRYCE RAWORTH PTY LTD, 2002 REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDHistory and DescriptionMcCracken's City Brewery was one of the country's leading brewers during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Melbourne production facilities occupied a 200' (61m) frontage to Collins Street and the full depth of the block to Little Collins Street and provided employment for about 110 people. Contemporary accounts noted that the plant was fitted with the latest of modern brewery requirements [Smith]. Although situated on the opposite side of Little Collins Street this three storey building was constructed as a store for the brewery in 1878-1879 [Butler]. The designer and builder have not been identified.As constructed, the building took the form of a small Italianate palazzo. The ground floor was expressed as a heavy base with rustication emanating radially from arcuated windows. The upper floors were generally less ornate with the exception of unusual raised mouldings around the windows at first floor level. The façade terminated in a boldly modelled cornice. Since its construction, an additional third floor and part fourth floor have been added to the building with their own boldly modelled cornice which has obscured the vertical tripartite division of the façade. In addition, a number of minor modification s at ground floor level and external painting of the building have been undertaken. Nonetheless, the Little Collins street façade remains in good and fairly original condition. The secondary Gallagher Place façade has been extensively modified with large modern window openings throughout.Statement of SignificanceThe building at 538-542 Little Collins Street is of aesthetic significance at a local level as a good example of an early development with a façade executed in a simple Renaissance Revival style within Melbourne's CBD. It is also of note as the only surviving structure of the large McCracken Brewery complex.Footnotes:James Smith (ed), The Cyclopedia of Victoria, Vol II, 1903, p.538.Butler, CAD Conservation Study, 1985, 538-542 Lt Collins Street..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(source 79): 102 shows Sutherland p. 676.(V&M 1887-8) view ; citation - historically significant__________________________________________________PERROTT, LYON, TIMLOCK AND KESA 1976, C.B.D. STUDY, CITY OF MELBOURNE CONSERVATION STUDY AREA TWO2.06 538-42 Little Collins Street.DESCRIPTION:Brick store of three levels. Extended to four levels, C.19l0SITE: 51'x89'BUILT: 1878-9OWNER: R. M'Cracken & Co. [Brewer)OCCUPIER:R. M'Cracken & Co.[Brewer) (1878-1908)NOTES:(1) Victoria and its Metropolis (1888) p.616 (see illustration)The premises in Little Collins Street are the sole remainder of the huge City Brewery complex, which possessed its major frontage to Collins Street, directly to the south of this building. .The business was founded, in 1851, by Robert and Peter McCracken plus one James Robertson on the present site.In 1888 the brewery produced up to 500 barrels per day, consisting of Australian Bitter Ale, Pale Ale, Running Ale and stout.The building in Little Collins Street, served as the Malt Store and (at the rear of it,) the brewery stabling was kept.ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE. (538-42 Little Collins .St. )The addition of the 'Attic' storey has been· done sympathetically:the remaining facade being plain but fairly well balanced. The ground floor entrance has been shifted off-centre and modifications have been carried out to the flanking windows. .The building's freestanding nature reveals the east and west .elevation where extensive alterations have been carried out on window and door openings. The result is a loss of 'period' for the whole building, revealing the facade as definitely a two dimensional layer.The building is of no great architectural importance.__________________________________________________City of Melbourne i-Heritage:Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 Building Identification Form (BIF): Relates to Wool Exchange. Only survivor of large McCracken Brewery complex. Alterations / Recommendations: Added floor, colours, new openings, openings reglazed ( all sympathetic - no recommendation) Canopy at side ( inappropriate - remove or reinstate sympathetic alternative) Stone plinth painted ( inappropriate - remove by approved method). Other Comments R McCracken & Co., brewers; see Sutherland p. 676..AUSTRALIAN DICTIONARY OF BIOGRAPHYG. H. Gellie, 'McCracken, Alexander (1856 - 1915)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, Melbourne University Press, 1986, p. 240.George Parsons, 'McCracken, Robert (1813? - 1885)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 5, Melbourne University Press, 1974, p. 136. see A. Sutherland et al, Victoria and its Metropolis, vol 2 (Melb, 1888); Australian Brewers' Journal, 3 (1884); Age (Melbourne), 18 Feb 1885; History of the Carlton and United Breweries (University of Melbourne Archives, and National Library of Australia).James Smith (ed), The Cyclopedia of Victoria, Vol II, 1903, p.538..City of Melbourne Building Permit Applications (BA):24/8/ 1878 7735: fee ₤1/15/ Little Collins St City Brewery, 4 storey additions to Brewery, O= McCracken & Co, B -Thomas Walker & Co, A - W Elliott Bourke St west.21/3/1879 7935 fee ₤1/15/ Little Collins St west McCrackens Brewery, B=Taylor & Duguid, 12 Miller st, W Melb, Elliott, W `additions'(14/10/1882, 29 Collins St West City Brewery for R McCracken & Co, by Henderson & Smart Collins St east, builder Kay Noble of Erin St, Richmond fee ₤3/10/- )VPRO MCC Building Permit Application register: 8/1/1909 1173 Hollow & Sons additions to McCracken 540-2 Lt Collins st..Mahlstedt Fire Insurance Plan Series:Mahlstedt & Gee 1888: block 20: shown as McCracken & Co: 3 levels to front wing, two and then one. St James Cathedral was a nearby to the east.Mahlstedt 1910-23: block 20: shown as McCracken & Co: 3 levels to front wing, two and then two. St James Cathedral was a nearby to the east..LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX: Recordcites Sutherland: McCracken's City Brewery Ltd., CollinsSt. West. Premises added to at various stages, total over 4 acres. 192 ft. to Collins St. by 316 ft., and 192 ft. to Little Collins St. Also 50 ft. frontage on north side of Little Collins St., running almost to Bourke St.Illustr. shows early 3 story building at left and 1880's 3 story building at right.Victoria and its Metropolis, II, 677;Henderson and Smart (now Reed,Henderson & Smart). design of premises for the City Brewery for R. McCracken & Co., Collins St. to Lt. Collins St. Illus. perspective Elevation (no. 494-508 & 510-518 in 1906 directory) A'sia Sketch 27.8.1883 p 158W. Elliot, architect, 106 Bourke Street West.Tenders invited for additions to the City Brewery for Messrs. R.McCracken and. Co. Argus 3.8.1878, p 3George WHARTONTenders wanted - erection of a bluestone brewery for McCracken & Robertson in Collins St. West.(As ultimately expanded, McCracken's Brewery became nos. 494-518 - MBL 1983).Argus 15.3.1853 p 3TWENTYMAN and ASKEW, Archts.Tenders for erection of stables, McCracken's Brewery.Australasian Builder and Contractor's News 6.7.1889, p 22.DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1974 540-542 Merino Houseincludes London Wool brokers P/L1935 Pitman HouseSir Isaac Pitman& Sons Ltd publishers, etc. many wool buyers and brokers.1924British Australian Wool Realisation Assoc. Ltd1904: 540-542 McCracken's brewery stores(Gallagher's-pl— McCracken's Brewery, stables..)1893: Victoria la542 McCracken's brewery storesGallagher's pl1880 Little Collins at W- N side(Church St121 Bell 's bonded and free storesBell, William M, and Co, merchants)Right-of-wayMcCracken , R, and Co.'s storesGallagher place -,.Municipal rate books [RB]VPRS 5780 MicroficheLittle Collins Street 538-542– City of Melbourne – Lonsdale WardDate Rate no Occupier Owner Description Nav1900 281 McCracken & Co McCracken & Co Bk. store stables & yard 50 x ? 4501890 327 McCracken & Co McCracken & Co Bk. Store and stables 50 x 90 2501880 301 McCracken & Co McCracken & Co Bk. Store 50 x 90 2501879 293 McCracken & Co McCracken & Co Bk warehouse 3 flats 50 x 90 2501878 305 McCracken & Co McCracken & Co Bk. Store 4 floors 50 x 90 2501877 No listing
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105949 | 1 JPEG : 497 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |