Masonic Club, 164-170 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Masonic Club, 164-170 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 104019
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:DATE: 1927;ASSOCIATIONS: Masonic Club House Company of Victoria;DESIGNER: Plottel, J;BUILDER: Dixon, R A & Sons.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryFrom a tripartite ancestory, Freemasonry in Victoria united in 1882 under Provincial Grand Master, Sir William Clarke. Seven years later this unity was consolidated with the formation of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria. Membership of the craft now was 100,000 distributed among over 800 lodges around the State.The Western Australian Masonic Club was the first, in 1873, to be instituted in the country. Although not controlled by the lodge heirarchy, the masonic clubs have been created to serve their members and their families, including recreational and residential facilities. In Melbourne the club had been located in modest circumstances at Masonic House, 31 Collins Street (demolished) over most of the period since its formation around 1890 : Masonic House had been designed by John Grainger c1894. For the major undertaking of constructing a new club, the Masonic Club House Company of Victoria Ltd. was formed under chairman, C.T. Martin.Perhaps the new railway station and the resultant commercial redevelopment in Flinders Street, had attracted the club to this site for, in their new 1926-1927 building they set aside the four lower floors for office and retail rental. The 600 members could comfortably congregate in the two upper levels, given the billiard and card rooms, club rooms, dining room, bar and residential quarters provided there in architect, J Plottel's design. The maple panelling, electric lifts, lighting and heating, steel window frames and lavatories on each floor were thought to be all on `modern lines'. Builders, R A Dixon and Sons commenced construction of a reinforced concrete structure, in 1926, estimated then to cost 70,000 pounds including the land.DescriptionA variation on the Neo-Grec theme, this elevation possesses the style's usual chaste ornament, formed here by swags, antefixae and a shallow pediment. It also combines sand finish render, as ashlar, with red brickwork, which is unusual, and a series of arched openings aligned with a bracketted balcony, mid-facade. A canopy now cuts across the central, arched entrance to the ground level, obscuring the probable intended parallel with the arches above. The shields, held high over the balcony, add a French note to the elevation.Coomparable examples would include the superior Nicholas Building (1926) and former E S & A Bank (1929) Swanston Street.IntegrityThe ground level has been altered in detail and a plain canopy, similar to those used in the period, has been added.StreetscapeRelates in period detail, scale and general fenestration to the adjoining streetscape.SignificanceA near externally original but austerely ornamented design after the Neo- Grec manner which remains probably Victoria's earliest surviving Masonic Club building..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites 78, p4; Foundation Stone 19.3.1926.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 COUNCIL (source 78)Assessed as in streetscape 7, but no further recommendation.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)Land purchase 1923https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/203777922.The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Thursday 1 October 1925 - Page 14 illusthttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243706878₤30,000 MASONIC CLUB FOR FLINDERS STREETThe elevation of the £30,000 residential building chosen by the Board of Directors of the Masonic Club House Co. of Victoria from competitive designs; it is the work of Mr J. Pottel, of Queen Street. The new clubhouse will be erected in Flinders Street, next to the Majestic Theatre.The elevation of tho £30,000 residential building chosen by the Board of Directors of the Masonic Club House Co. Of Victoria from competitive designs; it is the work of Mr J. Pottel, of Queen Street. The new clubhouse will be erected in Flinders Street, next to the Majestic Theatre..The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Wednesday 17 March 1926 - Page 14 illusthttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/244056556FLINDERS STREET EASTGraceful Club BuildingReplacing an ancient Bluestone structure in Flinders street at the corner of Hosie lane, near RusseII street, the new Masonic club house will enrich the architecture of this rapidly changing quarter or the city, and give club members sumptuous promises, with a noble view of Alexandra Gardens and' Government House, and provide them also with a valuable revenue-producing property. Yesterday afternoon the foundation stone was laid officially by His Excellency the Earl of Stradbroke, this being his last public act as Grand Master, as his term of office concludes today,The building, which is being erected for the Masonic Club House Company of Victoria Limited, com prises; six storeys, with caretaker's quarters on flat roof, and is being carried out in reinforced concrete, with brick and cement finish to front elevation.The club rooms occupy the whole of the two upper floors. and are arranged as follows: — club room, - billiard room, bar, dining room, concert room, rending room, card rooms, secretary's office, kitchen, store room and lavatories -on one floor, and bedrooms, bathrooms and lavatories on the other.All bedrooms are supplied With hot and cold water service, and club rooms with hot water., radiators and electric heating and lighting. The club rooms are served- by two, fast electric lifts, and also two concrete staircases. . The club rooms are to be finished with maple fittings and panelling throughout. , The ground floor has been divided into shops and sample rooms for let- ting purposes, and three floors into modern office accommodation. The building has been designed on the most modern lines, and provides for electric lighting and heating, electric lifts, hot water service and radiation, lavatory blocks on each floor. Steel window frames with reversible sashes for cleaning, and all other modern conveniences.The structure was designed by, and is being carried out under the supervision of Mr J. Plottel. A.R.V.I.A. architect, 31 Queen street, Melbourne. The builders are Messrs R. A. Dixon and Sons, of Collins street, Melbourne.
Related material link:
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Research and reports
Record number:
1210241
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 104019 | 1 PDF : 786 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |