Remove from your active Pick list Save for later

Norman's Corner Store, 180-182 Bourke Street, 155-161 Russell Street, Melbourne

Butler, Graeme1985

Scope and contents

Norman's Corner Stores is aesthetically significant for its Jazz-Moderne styling which is best expressed on the upper levels of the building in the pressed cement façade detailing and three-dimensional parapet forms.

Record details

Title:

Norman's Corner Store, 180-182 Bourke Street, 155-161 Russell Street, Melbourne

Creator:

Butler, Graeme (Name details)

Date of work:

1985

Reference number:

BIF-CITY 101208

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:

ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:Style: Jazz ModernePeriod: Inter-WarNotable features: 1. Parapet. 2. Corner siteGRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of Significance`What is significant?Architects Sale & Keague (designed the remodelling of an existing warehouse with 3 levels and basement (see brickwork on north elevation) to form one occupation for one Norman Sharpe in 1932 (Sharpe managed Norman's Corner Stores). Three years later an estimated ₤8000 was spent on alterations and additions to the design of Marcus Barlow; which added 3 floors mezzanine, and a pent house to the existing arcuated façade, completely transforming it to Moderne Gothic, in the manner of Barlow's earlier Manchester Unity Building but in this case the façade was pressed cement not the more expensive terracotta.Norman's Corner Store, drapers were the main occupiers of the building from the 1930s well into the 20th century with a prominence gained by the local commercial development and charity work achieved by the firm and the Sharpe family owners. Melbourne City was the predominant retailing centre in metropolitan Melbourne until challenged by the drive-in retail centres such as Chadstone. Names like McEwan's, Wardrop's, Woolworth's, Norman's, Cann's, Ezywalkin, Foy's, Myer, and Coles were all major shopping destinations in metropolitan Melbourne and Victoria until the growth of the large suburban retail centres in the 1960s. Landmark corner sites such as this one were sought after to provide clear identity for the shops below.The two street elevations rise six storeys with vertical faceted ribs following the Perpendicular Gothic style inspiration. Pressed cement detailing in the spandrels and at the parapet takes on a geometric Moderne character, with paired scrolls in bas-relief for each. the parapet has the geometric zigzag modelling associated with jelly-moulds or Art Deco objects: this is Jazz Moderne as seen in North American examples of the same era. Norman's Corner Stores forms a couplet with Bourke House and relates closely to the more detailed façade of the significant Egyptian Moderne style former Bank of NSW (190-192 Bourke St)The ground level shopfronts (once deep showcases with island displays facing Bourke St) and canopy have been changed and the street awning rebuilt.How is it significant?Norman's Corner Stores is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?Norman's Corner Stores is aesthetically significant for its Jazz-Moderne styling which is best expressed on the upper levels of the building in the pressed cement façade detailing and three-dimensional parapet forms. The building continues Barlow's keynote Modernistic stylism seen in the Manchester Unity (earlier) and Century Buildings (later) in Swanston Street and their use of Jazz Moderne detailing in either terracotta or pressed cement.Historically, Norman's Corner stores was a major retailer in the inter-war and post World War Two era within the Capital City Zone when Melbourne City was the predominant retailing centre in metropolitan Melbourne. Major retail outlets benefitted from corner sites and a Bourke St location such as is exemplified well by this building.'City of Melbourne Building Permit ApplicationsBuilding Permit Application 1932, 13661 16 May Sale & Keague (A) for remodelling of existing warehouse with 3 levels and basement for one occupation for N Sharpe, (E) Clive SteeleBuilding Permit Application 1935, 16084 8 Feb ₤8000 alterations and additions to building; 3086 July 2 electric signs on building face (complete?) (VPRS 11201)Building Permit Application 1935, (VPRS 11200/P/0001/1830) A= Marcus Barlow; E= John A Laing MCE; (VPRS 11200/P/0001/1831) shows added 4 floors plus roof to existing arcuated façade with shopfronts, drawings dates 21/1/1935.NEWSPAPERS`The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : Saturday 11 July 1936 :BIJOU THEATRE SITEDepartmental Store PlanThe option for the purchase of the Bijou Theatre site in Bourke Street which was given some months ago has lapsed and with it the plan to erect a large building containing two theatres, a store and a residential hotel involving a total outlay of £1250 000. The holder of the option failed to obtain the necessary financial supportIt was reported in real estate circles yesterday than negotiations were now proceeding between the owners and Mr Norman Sharpe managing director of Norman's Corner Stores, 180 Bourke Street, for the purchase of the property as n site for a departmental storeThe site is extremely valuable for its frontage to Bourke street little Collins street and lane on the east and west sides'Wednesday 12 August 1936`Staff Ball for HospitalMore than 700 people attended the fourth annual ball organised by the staff of Normans corner stores to aid St Vincent s Hospital which was held at Earl s Court last night The president of the» committee (Mr J Sharpe) was assisted by four hostesses in receiving the guests Mrs J Sharpe wore a black and white spotted net jacket over a white satin frock Mrs Roy Sharpe was In a black velvet gown with flowers at the neckline Mrs J Velik's midnight-blue chiffon frock had a Grecian girdle and Miss A Sharpe was in a frock of Patou pink matelasse woven with silver leavesOther members or the committee were Messrs N Sharpe (since president) Roy Sharpe (honorary secretary) Il C Hansford (treasurer) the Misses I Falkingham and I Rose (honorary organisers), J, O Orr M Jonas D Hill (ticket secretaries) S Gunther, J McGregor L Reynolds (assistant secretaries) and Messrs N Llpman and N Tullock (assistant treasurer) Special guests representing the hospital committee were Dr W J Newing chairman of the medical staff) and Mrs Newlng Dr and Mrs J J Daly and Mr and Mrs G D Bowcher'Wednesday 10 December 1947 Shopping Spy tail of shopping finds atSaturday 3 June 1950:`Bourke st. retail store to extendTHE eight-storey retail, store of Norman's, on the north-west corner of Bourke and Russell sts., is to be extended along Russell st. Norman's Corner Stores I Pty. Ltd. has bought a block of four old shops Nos. 163 to 169 Russell st., on land 52ft. by 69ft. for £30,500. The vendor was the estate of the late K. T. Crisp, and Mr. R. A. MacLeod, of G. D. Lang- ridge and Son, negotiated the sale.' (evidently not realised)LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX :Marcus R. BARLOW Description of Victoria Car Park (4 shops at grnd. flr.) nearing completion at cnr. Russell & Lt. Collins Sts. Age 2.8.1938 in RVIA Press Cuttings 1938;Plans prepared for 6 story guest house with shops under at cnr. Exhibition & Lonsdale Sts. Illus. Perspective `Anketell House') Age 19.7.1938 in RVIA Press Cuttings 1938Manchester Unity Building illustrated (Melbourne) Illus. Plans, perspectiveRoyal Victorian Institute of Architects Journal Nov 1931, pp 134-5;Howey Court, Melbourne Illus. photo of exteriorRoyal Victorian Institute of Architects Journal May 1931, p xxxiibuilding of a proposed new shops & offices building about to commence at 269-279 Lt. Collins St. (cnr Swanston) 'Howey Estate'.Description of scheme & also some details of buildings being demolished (2 storey shops built in 1860s & Presgrave Building, which is 3 storey Hawthorn brick Romanesque design).Age 14.5.1935 (also Argus 3.12.1936 ) in Royal Victorian Institute of Architects press cuttings (State Library of Victoria collection:) 1934-5;Barlow & Hawkins: illustration of their design for Temple CourtAustralian Home Builder 1.8.1927 p 38;Century Building, (nearing completion) at the corner of Little Collins & Swanston Streets, Melbourne.Age 23.1.1940new Manchester Unity building in Swanston St (M.U. Oddfellows Building) Photograph now Jensen HouseRoyal Victorian Institute of Architects Journal 12.1940-1.1941 p 129;Albany Court building at 230 Collins St. Part of Howey Estate 1936;proposed shop at 338 Collins St. for Hardy Bros. Ltd., jewellers. Façade to be combination of terra-cotta faïence & chromium strip. Article. Age 11.4.1933 in RVIA Press Cuttings 1933-4;New premises of Hardy Bros. Ltd., jewellers, at 338 Collins St. Illus. Photo of interior Age 1.8.1933 in RVIA PressCuttings 1933-4REEVE, S. THE CENTURY BUILDING IN `SPIRIT OF PROGRESS' issue 44:`MARCUS BARLOW, ARCHITECTArchitecturally, the Century Building is the finest example of Marcus Barlow's commercial work in the pure Streamlined Moderne idiom. One of Melbourne's most prominent architects of the inter-war period, Barlow embraced this progressive style in the second half of the 1930s and soon became one of its leading exponents. The Century Building is often cited as an important stylistic successor to Barlow's nearby earlier and much celebrated Manchester Unity Building (1932). As the entire building was air-conditioned from the beginning, its façade has not been defaced by individual packaged air-conditioning units (as has been the case with some other city office buildings). But it has lost its flagpole, evident in early photos of the building…'SANDS AND MCDOUGALL DIRECTORY OF VICTORIA(1915 Denton Brothers Pty Ltd auctioneers & com agents)1920 Charles Bourke, boot and shoe manuf.1924 M King & Co P/L drapers, 1st floor F Watkins general offices 2nd universal Film co 3rd vacant. etc.1930 180-182 Leber, Leopold milliner1935 Norman's Corner Store, drapers1939 Norman's Corner Store, drapers1944 -45 Norman's Corner Store, drapers1950 Norman's Corner Store, drapers1955 Norman's Corner Store, drapers1974 Norman's Corner Store, drapers

Names:

City of Melbourne

Topics:

Central Activities District Conservation Study 1985Conservation studiesModerne styleInterwar periodParapetsShops

Places:

Melbourne (Vic.)

Form/Genre:

Building Identification Forms (BIFs)

Record types:

Research and reports

Record number:

1189501