Paton's Building, 115-117 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Paton's Building, 115-117 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CIT 103178
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
Period: EdwardianConstruction date: 1905Architect: Nahum Barnet.ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryWedged between the two ironmongers, James McEwan & Company and McLean Brothers and Rigg, the Paton Building replaced a collection of small tenancies named McGuigan's Chambers. Architect, Nahum Barnet, applied on behalf of the Alex Paton Estate for a permit to build what was described as shops and offices, in April 1905. The contractor was James Wright of Armadale.This Alex Paton presumably was resident at Melbourne Road, Williamstown, prior to his death in the mid 1880s. He, in turn was probably related to the Paton Brothers grocery firm of 165- 173 Nelson Place.DescriptionNeo-Romanesque in style, the elevation follows earlier tall- arched facades such as Royston House (1898-9) in Flinders Lane but differs in the cement ornamentation of the spandrels and the detailing of the building's title, written across its base. The onion bud motif, so fondly used by the British Arts and Crafts designers, is applied liberally in bas-relief and three- dimensionally in the half-domed roof over each window bay. A Norman colonnade and cement spiralling to pepper-pot cappings are necessary details to counter the strong brick and terra cotta forms created by the deeply set giant arches and the bartizan- like corner piers. The giant-arched but undecorated warehouse (1903) in Bank Place (since altered) and the defaced Altson's Corner, Collins Street (1904) were the preamble to this style for Barnet. Tall-arched buildings like Tomasetti's in Flinders Lane are impressive but lack the reference of Paton's Arts and Crafts ornament as does Royston House. Only Metcalfe's warehouse, Flinders Lane (qv), pre- dates the Paton Building in this respect.The colours appear to be original.External IntegrityThe shopfronts, air units and canopy are new as is an unusual neon sign, `Light House'. The northern window bay fascia is new.StreetscapeLast in a row of late 19th and early 20th century facades which includes Barnet's London Hotel: shares period detail, scale, and siting.SignificancePerhaps Victoria's second combination of this much used medieval form with its ornament as re-interpreted by the British Arts and Crafts movement. The above verandah facade is near original and supports a streetscape..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 80 Keith & John R Reid, 1976, CBD STUDY AREA 7, page 273- Paton's executors control it pre 1900 with 2 brick shops and offices in a 3 storey building possibly N Barnet `retention of façade important'; CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS 9586;.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEXRecord 75209 Barnet, Nahum; Paton Estate - Trustees Melbourne VIC Office Buildings; Shops Wright, James G - Hampden Rd Armadale 1905 04 1 9586, MCC registration no 9586 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.10.0 shops & offices Elizabeth - 115/17 -.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Coburg Leader (Vic. : 1890 - 1913)Saturday 23 June 1906 - Page 1see https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66893278The Victorian Citizens' League the head office of which is at Paton Buildings, 115-117 Elizabeth street, Melbourne, is now establishing branches in all the suburbs. The league has nothing to do with the party cries of "Protection" and “Freetrade" and its roll of members comprises men of various political views. ..C.H. Chomley general secretary1907 H.W & F.B Tompkins have offices there...
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1204029
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103178 | 1 PDF : 1,253 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |