Epstein House, 134-136 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Epstein House, 134-136 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 104023
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:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:Style: Neo-GrecPeriod: Inter-WarDATE: 1926;ASSOCIATIONS: Louis Epstein of Louis Epstein Tailors;DESIGNER: Wood, James A.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryButler House preceded this building; housing J H Butler & Co and Leroy & Co, both undergarment and blouse makers. Architect James A Wood submitted plans in 1926 to build a reinforced concrete building for Louis Epstein. First a three - storey elevation was proposed, with stair access only between floors, toilets on the roof slab and two roof lanterns to light what was presumably a work area below. The next set of plans submitted added a lift (front and back) and three floor levels to the previous design, with some concession given to staff in the allocation of two water closets per floor, as well as the large 'Women's Lavatory' on the roof. A deduction was the loss of one of the roof lanterns.At ground level, two shops, with a common recessed entry, plus an entry for the upper levels were provided. Each of these upper floors possessed a four - light bay overhanging Flinders Street and over the rear yard, a regulation successive set - back with advancing height to provide light angles.In 1930, Epstein House held (on the ground floor) Louis Epstein & Co tailors; Mrs E M Alynn, mantle maker; a V Laby who conducted both a newsagency and a billiard saloon; and (on the upper floors) a motor tyre dealer, Leo Figg; and machinery agents W C Sackson & Co. Ten years later, Epstein and similar tenants were in residence; Perfit and the Costume Co made mantles, a Lady Mackay was a florist there and the Young Australia League rented space. Epsteins firm remained in the building until recently.DescriptionExtending the building height from the original proposal, left the elevation composition unaltered. Framed by smooth rusticated pilasters, the five levels of bayed windows provide the facade with much of its character, in particular the window mullions or glazing bars.Central hopper sashes in an assembly of three vertically stacked panes, were plain counterpoint to the bold geometry used to divide the uppermost lights in each window. Similar, but more intricate, leaded divisions existed at the show window top-lights. Echoing the gabled lantern light, at roof level, the single glazed pediment struck the contemporary neo - Grec style chord, in harmony with panelled entablatures and piers at the parapet.External IntegrityThe shopfront was replaced early 1986, by architects, Hatzis, Stavrias &Associates, Pty. Ltd.StreetscapeStylistically dissimilar to adjoining buildings, it shares scale, materials and some period detail.Statement of SignificanceUntil recently, (after initial study survey), a remarkably intact Warehouse factory but, given the alterations, it is now comparatively stylistically unremarkable when considered among commercial buildings generally, but competently designed given a warehouse comparison, also identifiable with one business (Epstein) over a long period - that business epitomising the nature of Flinders Lane and Flinders Street east occupancies, since the late 19th century, (clothing, haberdashery)..CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWWhat is significant?Epstein House at 134-136 Flinders Street built for clothing manufacturers the Epstein family in 1926, and designed by architect James A Wood.Elements that contribute to the significance include (but are not limited to):• The building’s original external form, materials and detailing;• The buildings relatively high level of integrity to its original design;• The original proportions and patterns of fenestration;• The engaged pilasters, parapet, rendered ornament, spandrels; and• Decoratively arranged timber mullions and raised lettering ‘Epstein House’.Later alterations at ground level and glazed panels at upper level are not significant.How it is significant?Epstein House at 134-136 Flinders Street is of local historic, representative, aesthetic and associative significance to the City of Melbourne.Why it is significant?Epstein House at 134-136 Flinders Street is historically significant for its association with the textile industry in the City of Melbourne that was strongly represented in the Flinders Lane area. Epstein House is also significant for its association with the Epstein family of tailors. (Criterion A)Epstein House at 134-136 Flinders Street is a fine example of mid-rise commercial building designed in the interwar classical revival style. (Criterion D)Epstein House at 134-136 Flinders Street is aesthetically significant for its elaborate façade design including decorative rendered piers and a central projecting glazed bay running the full height of the upper façade. This is complemented by generous glazing comprising a band of four windows across the projecting bay at each level, with glazing bars arranged in vertical and diamond patterning.It is also aesthetically significant as one of several Flinders Street buildings of the same era and scale including 100-102 Flinders Street and 96-98 Flinders Street, that form an impressive edge to the city. (Criterion E)Epstein House at 134-136 Flinders Street is significant for its association with the Epstein family. Louis Epstein established himself as a tailor in Melbourne in 1905 and opened Epstein House in 1926 to house his growing clothing manufacturing business, Louis Epstein and Co., which his sons, Keith, Phillip and Garth, also joined. The business gained a reputation as bespoke tailors and uniform and equestrian clothing manufacturers, making most of the uniforms for the Victorian Police Force. (Criterion H)Primary sourceHoddle Grid Heritage Review (Context & GJM Heritage, 2020) .GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM.MURPHY ARCHITECTS, JOHN AND PHYLLIS 1976. HISTORIC BUILDINGS STUDY OF PART OF THE C.B.D. MELBOURNE : { AREA 1} WITH MURPHY, JOCK, FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL7.56 134-136 Flinders Lane - Butler House.Construction Date: 1889Architect: Charles WebbIn 1888,1 immediately east of Russell Street on the north side of Little Collins Street, there were brick houses, iron stores and a coach factory.In 1889, Charles Webb the architect was owner of a brick warehouse at No. 136 2 which was let to a firm called Robinson & Mills. The property remained in the family for at least twenty years during which time it passed into his estate, and a variety of tenants occupied it. It is reasonable to assume that the building was designed by Charles Webb since he himself owned It and built the warehouse. The extra floor was added after 1907.With the adjoining bank and warehouse it helps to form a fine set of well-related buildings of sympathetic character.1. M.C.C. Rate Books, Latrobe Ward Nos. 313,324. 1888.2. M.C.C. Rate Books, Latrobe Ward No. 397. 1889 .(Graeme Butler, 2021: appears to be for the previous building on this site).CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWHO1274· Historically significant for its association with the textileindustry and the Epstein family of tailors.· Significant as representative of a mid-rise commercialbuilding in the interwar classical revival style.· Aesthetically significant for its elaborate façade includinggenerous glazing across a projecting bay and forming anedge to the city.· Significance associated with Louis Epstein and family –bespoke tailors andmanufacturers..Flinders Lane East Precinct`...Epstein House at no.134-136 Flinders Street is a fine interwar shop and manufacturing premises associated with the textile industry. It has been assessed as part of the Hoddle Grid Heritage Review to be of individual significance…'.SITE HISTORY134-136 Flinders Street has been occupied by a number of businesses over the years. A building was on site in 1866, and in 1877, boot manufacturer Bramwell and Grant operated from a three-storey building. In 1888, a two-storey building stood on the land, and by 1905, the Civil Service Store was operating from the site (Fels, Lavelle & Mider 1993).Butler House, which housed J H Butler and Co and Leroy and Co, both undergarment and blouse makers, preceded the subject building (Butler 1984).In 1926, architect James A Wood of Temple Court, Melbourne, submitted plans to build a reinforced concrete building at 134-136 Flinders Street for tailor Louis Epstein, who had established a tailoring business in Melbourne in 1905. In the first plans, a three-storey elevation was proposed, with only stair access between floors, toilets on the roof slab and two roof lanterns to light, presumably, a work area below (Butler 1984).A second set of plans added a lift (front and back) and three floor levels to the previous design, with an allocation of two water closets per floor, and a large ‘Women’s Lavatory’ on the roof. One of the roof lanterns was eliminated in this plan. At ground level, two shops with a common recessed entry, plus an entry to the upper levels, were provided. Each of these upper floors possessed a four-light bay overhanging Flinders Street and over the rear yard, a regulation successive setback to provide light angles (Butler 1984).The six-storey style reinforced concrete Epstein House opened in 1926. Architect James A Wood called for contractors to advertise on the walls and roof of the building in September of that year (Age 23 September 1926:1). M Glynn, also housed in Epstein House, advertised for machinists for the making of ladies’ robes and coats in November 1926 (Age 9 November 1926:15). It is highly likely that these positions were filled by women.In 1930, Epstein House housed, on the ground floor, Louis Epstein and Co, tailors; Mrs E M Alynn, mantle maker; and V Laby, who managed a newsagency and billiard saloon. Businesses on the upper floors comprised a motor tyre dealer, Leo Figg; and machinery agents, W C Sackson and Co (Butler 1984).Similar tenants were in residence in 1940: Perfit and the Costume Co made mantles; Lady Mackay ran a florist shop; and the Young Australia League rented space (Butler 1984). Epstein House is shown in 1972 (Figure 1).Louis Epstein died in 1954, leaving behind his wife and ten children. An obituary in the Age noted that Epstein had been a prominent tailor in Flinders Street for 30 years and had made most of the uniforms for the Victorian Police Force. His sons, Keith, Phillip and Garth, joined the tailoring business, Louis Epstein and Co, which continued to operate from Epstein House until 1994. The Epsteins gained a reputation as bespoke tailors and uniform and equestrian clothing manufacturers and were the first importers and retailers of Levi Strauss jeans in Australia. After their retirement, various elements of the business were sold to others, including the equestrian wear. The Louis Epstein chain of fashion stores was established in the 1990s. (Age 29 June 1954:15; Epstein 2017).After the closure of Louis Epstein and Co at 134-136 Flinders Street in 1994, Epstein House was refurbished in 1995 and subdivided into strata offices with retail established on the ground level. Today the property comprises residential and business use.REFERENCESAge, as cited.Butler, Graeme 1984, ‘Central Activities District Conservation Plan’, prepared for Melbourne City Council.Context Pty Ltd 2012, Thematic History: A History of the City of Melbourne’s Urban Environment, prepared for the City of Melbourne.Dingle, Tony 2008, ‘Manufacturing’ in eMelbourne, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00896b.htm, accessed 13 June 2017.Epstein, David 2017, ‘Epstein Family Australia’, http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/epstein/27/, accessed 5 June 2017.Halla K J c.1972, ‘Flinders Street north between Hosier Lane and Russell Street, Melbourne, Vic.’, State Library of Victoria (SLV) Halla collection of negatives. Views of East Melbourne, Fitzroy, Melbourne & North Melbourne, accessed 22 June 2017.Lovell Chen 2017, ‘Melbourne Planning Scheme Amendments C271 and C301 – Guildford and Hardware Laneways Heritage’, prepared for the City of Melbourne.May, Andrew (2008), ‘Flinders Lane’ in eMelbourne, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne, http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00586b.htm, accessed 13 June 2017.Pratt, C D c.1950-c.1960, ‘Aerial view of the central business district of Melbourne from Flinders Street railyards looking north-west’, State Library of Victoria (SLV) Airspy collection: photographs, accessed online 23 June 2017..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Age': Thursday 23 September 1926`TENDERS are invited for the Right to Use forAdvertising Purposes:—1.' Side Walls on Epstein 'House, 'Flinders-street. .2. Roof (Electric Sign) ditto. . .Advertising Contractors please - note.— -This is one of the best positions- In tlio. city, for advertising purposes, as it catches the eye as you come out of the station and can be seen rightup St Kilda-road. 'J. A. WOOD. Architect, Temple-sourt
Related material link:
Names:
Topics:
Places:
Form/Genre:
Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1210446
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 104023 | 1 PDF : 657 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |