Marks' warehouse, 362-364 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Marks' warehouse, 362-364 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105873
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2022:__________________________________________________IMAGE: https://flic.kr/p/2ns7W5pPeriod: VictorianDATE: 1889;ASSOCIATIONS: Marks, Jacob & Benjamin;DESIGNER: Evans, George de Lacy;BUILDER: Sanders, Thomas.GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?This warehouse was constructed for Jacob & Benjamin Marks, Elizabeth Street jewellers, by Thomas Sanders, in 1889. It was a four-level warehouse to the design of the important architect, George DeLacy Evans, who had already designed the highly significant warehouse group in nearby Niagara Lane for the Marks family (Victorian Heritage Register). AG Fullager & Co, a china and glass importer, was among the first occupants , followed by other importers and a hardware merchant.Marks brothers warehouse is a good example of a boom period development and illustrates the exuberant modelling and eclectic mannered character frequently associated with designs of the period. The Queen Anne Revival style façade comprises a gable-ended parapeted form in face brick with rendered details drawn from classical and medieval sources in the manner of the style. Decorative pilasters rise through the full height of the building, capped by small pediments, to an ornate Roman arch set above a highly modelled cornice. Bartizan motifs, surviving parapet orbs, and a highly mannered pilaster bifurcating the surmounting pediment scrolls, are all part of the highly inventive assembly of architectural elements. The tiled spandrel panels are particularly notable. The wall facing Warburton Alley is of plain red brickwork with paired window openings.The Queen Ann Revival style was introduced in the mid to late 1880s in Melbourne, making this building one of the key examples. The recession of the early 1890s brought an end to decorous designs. Although understated by comparison, the design draws on the same boom period spirit as George De Lacy Evans' Sum Kum Lee building (1887-8) at 112-114 Little Bourke Street and also compares with the significant warehouse group in nearby Niagara Lane.There is a roof addition to the rear, the original face brick character of the building has been masked by painting and the modification of ground floor fenestration but the building remains, at the upper levels, particularly intact to its original state.How is it significant?Marks' warehouse is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?Marks' warehouse is of aesthetic significance as a good example of a boom period Capital City Zone warehouse, distinguished by its unusual and particularly flamboyant façade and its early use of the Queen Anne Revival style. Historically it is of interest as one of the significant developments in this part of the City for the Marks family..RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneHistory and DescriptionCampton House, was constructed in 1889-90 [Reid] as a five storey warehouse and office complex [Butler]. The designer and builder are not known although AG Fullager, a china and glass importer, was the first occupant [D1890]. It is a good example of a boom period warehouse development and illustrates the exuberant modelling and eclectic mannered character frequently associated with designs of the period. The facadecomprises a gable-ended design in face brick with rendered details. Decorative pilasters rise through the full height of the building to an ornate arch above a highly modelled cornice. The recession of the early 1890s brought an end to decorous designs on so lavish a scale. Although understated by comparison, the design draws on the same boom period spirit as George De Lacy Evans' Sum Kum Lee building (1887-8) at 112-114 Little Bourke Street and Thomas Watts' Robbs Building (1885, since demolished).The original face brick character of the building has been masked by painting and the modification of ground floor fenestration but remains, at the upper levels, particularly intact to its original state. The building is in good condition.Statement of SignificanceCampton House is a boom period warehouse and office development. It is of aesthetic significance at a local level as an example of a CBD warehouse and for its unusual and particularly flamboyant facade.Footnotes:Reid, 1980, CAD Study: 333.Butler, 1985, CAD Conservation Study: 362-364 Lt Bourke Street.Sands & MacDougall, Directory of Victoria (D), 1890..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites Keith and John Reid, 1976, CBD Study Area 7 Historic Buildings Preservation Council: 333 has `environmental value to the area'. Not recommended to the Victorian Historic Buildings Register, p333;BUILT: 1889-90DESCRIPTION:Originally built as a five-storey store for Jacob and Benjamin Marks and first occupied in 1891 by Fullagar and Co. The building was acquired by the Commonwealth Government in November 1970 and is currently occupied by the Telecom DepartmentALTERATIONS:The ground floor of the facade has been totally destroyed by recent renovations.Internally the majority of the decoration has been stripped and new ceilings and lighting installed.CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS:Brick walls, rendered facade.Timber floors.Generally plaster linings.CITYSCAPE RELATIONSHIP:The facade is an unusual combination of elements and decoration. It is an isolated building, but has consistency with the general scale and character of the area.RECOMMENDATION:Retention of the building in its present state is not warranted, however recognition should be taken of its environmental value to the area (Refer 4. 6) ...VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-1268see https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/9183Building on site, 1866. 1888 - 1 storey building, McLauchlan, Hatmaker.1891 - 4 storey building constructed for Jacob & Benjamin Marks; occupied by Fullager & Co. Acquired by Government 1970.Mahlstedt Fire Insurance Plan Series:Mahlstedt & Gee 1888: plan 13: McLachlan hat maker 1 storeyMahlstedt 1910-1923 (MUA): 362 Day & Sons explosives. 4 levels, next Warburton Alley, central entry, windows either side of façade.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Argus': Saturday 26 October 1889 Jacob & Benjamin Marks transfer of land from Old Law to Torrens. Part of Crown Allotment 6, Section 20, City of Melbourne, parish or North Melbourne, Grantee: Geo Lilly ₤40Thursday 25 August 1887 lease offered by Marks of 131 Elizabeth St of store in Niagara lane, 3 story, lift, office.VICTORIA HERITAGE DATABASE23 - 31 Niagara Lane, MELBOURNE, Melbourne City, File Number B4430.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:73346 Evans, G development Lacey; Marks, J & B Melbourne VIC Warehouses Sanders, Thomas - 313 Canning St Carlton 1899 03 5 3802, MCC registration no 3802 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.3.0store, Little Bourke west.Records for G. De Lacy Evans.Tenders wanted for four 3 storied stores off Lonsdale St. west for Mrs M. Marks. Argus 17.7.1886, p 14;G. De Lacy EvansAmended tenders wanted for erection of four 3 storied stores in Niagara Lane, off Lonsdale St. west for Mrs M. Marks. Argus 9.8.1886, p 2G. de Lacy Evans.Illustration of 4 three-storey stores in Niagara Lane, off Lonsdale Street West, for Mrs, M. Marks.Contractor: Daniel Sinclair Perspective View of Front. Australasian Builder and Contractor's News 17.9.1887.LOVELL CHEN 2017. GUILDFORD & HARDWARE LANEWAYS PRECINCT362-364 Little Bourke Street (also 4 Warburton Alley) graded C identified as SignificantFour storey Victorian offices, interwar addition to rear with c. 2000 alterations HO1051 - Also significant to Warburton Alley, associated with Victorian building, and not the interwar rear addition..DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1935362-364 White, C J & Sons P/L hardware merch.1904362-364 Smith & Son, cordage mfrs & gen imptrs1893364 Fullagar, A. G., & Co, glass and china importers1890364 Fullagar, A. G., & Co, glass and china importers(1880Lt Bke St west north side:11 McLachlan, M, wholesale hat manufacturer Right-of-way,13 Meagher, William, gunsmithNiagara lane13 Miller, Robert, bootmaker)
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Record number:
1253477
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105873 | 1 JPEG : 509 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |