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Sprigg's shops and residences, 146-150 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Butler, Graeme1985

Scope and contents

The three-storey, late Victorian building at 146-150 Bourke Street comprises three shops with residences above. The upper façade is composed as one unified arrangement and retains the Victorian Renaissance revival styling typical of the period.

Record details

Title:

Sprigg's shops and residences, 146-150 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Creator:

Butler, Graeme (Name details)

Date of work:

1985

Reference number:

BIF-CITY 101214

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: Early Victorian/ Renovation Inter-WarCreated: 1884-Notable features: 1. Ground level notable (c1925) and sympathetic with upper. 2. Remaining part of five building row (containing Hansen's Hotel, 1870).ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEW.STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEWHAT IS SIGNIFICANTThe row of shops/residences at 146-150 Bourke Street, built in 1885, is significant.HOW IT IS SIGNIFICANT146-150 Bourke Street is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Melbourne. It is also a representative example of a row of shops/residences from the late Victorian period, and has research value as an archaeological site.WHY IT IS SIGNIFICANT146-150 Bourke Street is historically significant as a Victorian building that represents a key phase in the retail development of Melbourne during the economic boom of the 1880s when investment in city property increased dramatically. Built by investment partners F B Clapp and W G Sprigg, who developed up to 12 similar properties along Bourke Street between 1873 and 1885, 146-150 Bourke Street is typical of retail buildings of the Victorian era that housed retail outlets at ground level with residences and workspaces for business-owners provided on the floor above. The building is also historically significant for its use as bank premises by the Bank of Victoria from 1922, the Commercial Banking Co of Sydney Ltd from 1928, and the National Bank of Australasia from 1982 until c1988. (Criterion A)146-150 Bourke Street is part of the archaeological resources of the central city. These sites have the potential to contain relics and archaeological deposits. It is assumed that such deposits have the potential to yield knowledge not available from other sources, and that may contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the occupation and settlement of Melbourne. Evidence on other archaeological sites has shown that there is also potential for Aboriginal sites to exist in relatively undisturbed areas (Criterion C)146-150 Bourke Street is a notable example of the 1880s property boom that made its mark on commercial design in the central city. It is significant as a well-designed Renaissance revival building by architect Francis Maloney White. White’s contribution to the city’s architecture and profession included major buildings for the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Hospital in Lonsdale Street. Such prominent commissions serve as evidence of his standing in the profession at the time. 146-150 Bourke Street is significant as a fine commercial building with residences above, built in the height of the property boom. Built as one unified arrangement, the upper façade retains a scholarly interpretation of the Renaissance revival. (Criterion D)146-150 Bourke Street is aesthetically significant for its classically styled upper façade. Key characteristics include a balustraded parapet with pedestals marking the edges of each of the three shops, a deep cornice with dentil detail below the parapet, scrolled brackets at each end of the building, with quoining at the corners of the building. 146-150 Bourke Street demonstrates an understanding of the elements of Renaissance architecture with its particular attention to each floor level and the highlighted importance of the first floor. The importance of this floor is expressed in the three identical windows with a straight pediment, engaged pilasters and recessed panels framed between cornices at sill level and above. The top floor offers a simplified treatment of the decorative elements of the windows. (Criterion E).CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONSRecommended for inclusion in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay of the Melbourne Planning Scheme as an individually Significant place.Extent of overlay: Refer to mapSUMMARYThe three-storey, late Victorian building at 146-150 Bourke Street comprises three shops with residences above. The upper façade is composed as one unified arrangement and retains the Victorian Renaissance revival styling typical of the period.SITE HISTORYThe land comprising the subject property at 146-150 Bourke Street was first purchased in April 1839 by Archibald Mossman as part of Allotment 2, Block 23 in the City of Melbourne. Originally the subject land was addressed as 137-141 Bourke Street. In 1884 the then owner, W G Sprigg, commissioned three three-storey shops for construction on the subject site. Stephen Armstrong constructed the brick buildings to the design of F M White (MCC registration no 1054 as cited in AAI, record number 73836). By 1885, each of the three buildings had a ground floor shop and a six-seven room residence above (RB). William Gardiner Sprigg (1832-1926) was the Melbourne Omnibus Co’s secretary from 1868 until he was appointed assistant manager in 1890, and by 1909 he had become a director following the resignation of H A Wilcox. Sprigg was engaged with the operation of the Melbourne Omnibus Co until it dissolved due to liquidation in the late 1910s (Argus 14 June 1919:10; 16 October 1920:20).With his colleague at the Melbourne Omnibus Co, Francis Boardman Clapp (1833-1920), Sprigg had been involved in developing at least 12 other premises along Bourke Street between 1873 and 1885, including the rows of shop and dwellings at 201-207 and 209-215 Bourke Street (also part of this study) (MCC registration no 6299, 1054 & 5597, as cited in AAI Index record no 76823, 73836 & 73774; RB 1874-1877). In 1887 the premises at 146-150 Bourke Street housed a musical instruments depot (150), a card printer (148) and a tobacconist (146) (Mahlstedt map, section 1, no 23a, 1888). Between 1887 and 1890, ownership of the land changed over from Sprigg to William Mclean (RB 1887 and 1890). In 1893, the subject buildings were occupied by James J Schuh, tobacconist, Hans P Rassmussen, herbalist, and William F Chamberlain, whose occupation was not recorded (RB). The internal wall dividing 148 and 146 was demolished between 1890-1895 (MMBW Detail Plan 1014, 1895). In the early to mid-twentieth century several reconfigurations of the interior took place, particularly of the party walls (see Figures 85-88). The tenants of the building in 1910-13 included Kenny Bros draper (146), A Harris & Co fancy goods store (148), and George Schickert pastry cook (150). In 1914, the buildings at 148 and 150 were amalgamated and occupied by Schickert until 1915 when Mrs Jane Aarons Tearooms occupied the premises. The Melba Phone Co Pty Ltd tenanted 146 in 1914, and Joshua Rochlin, ophthalmic optician, was the tenant the following year (S&M 1895-1915). The Bank of Victoria became the occupant of 146 in 1922. Between 1917 and 1925, 148-150 was used as a pastry and confectionary establishment, first managed by Mrs Margaret Metcher, then by Nicholas & Walsh from 1920, and Mrs M E Newcombe from 1923. Alterations to the bank premises took place in 1923 (BP); it appears that, by 1924, Mrs Newcombe and the Bank of Victoria had switched premises, with the directory for that year listing the bank at 148-150 Bourke Street (S&M 1917-1925). The Bank of Victoria amalgamated with the Commercial Banking Co of Sydney Ltd in 1928 (S&M 1927-1928).A major fire in 1929 caused extensive damage to the eastern end of Bourke Street, including to the subject site. The fire was believed to have started on the ground floor of Payne’s Bon Marche drapery store (134-36), spreading along the block and causing at least £300,000 worth of damage (Argus, 22 July 1929:7). It was estimated that between 77-200 brigade men fought the fire, and, reputedly, the blazing conditions in the laneways were so intense that the helmets of firemen working there melted (Beaudesert Times, QLD, 26 July 1929:3) (Argus, 22 July 1929:7). The subsequent repair and refurbishment of the bank building at 146-150 Bourke Street was a significant task, and carried out by architects Bates, Smart and McCutcheon and contractor W Hannah (PROV VPRS 11201/P1 unit 145). Debris was removed; the stairs, lift and chimney caps were repaired; the interior was repainted and the external walls touched up with a lime wash; cracks in the parapets were repaired; and the brickwork was repointed. Broken windows were replaced with new frames and the architraves refixed. New material was introduced to the building during these works with the eastern parapet partially demolished and rebuilt using cement mortar (PROV VPRS 11201/P1 unit 145).In 1948 the interior of the building at 146-150 Bourke Street was refurbished and the building connected to 152-158 Bourke Street (PROV VPRS 11201/P1 unit 145). It appears that the leasable space was reconfigured the same year, with the bank occupying the entire ground floor and P L Paterson occupying the first and second floors (Mahlstedt Map, section 1, no 4, 1948). Significant alterations were made to the rear of the building, including the addition of a first storey level and staircase (Mahlstedt Map, section 1, no 4, 1948). From 1949 to 1988 the subject site underwent several changes and modernisations. Alterations to the ground floor clerking space and lunchrooms occurred in 1949, and ten years later an illuminated plastic lantern sign was erected on the façade. In 1971 a glass two-way door to the bank chambers, and an illuminated horizontal footway sign, were installed. A floodlight was attached to the wall in 1972, and new doors to the bank installed in 1975. Extensions and alterations to the building occurred in 1965, 1987 and 1988. Still connected to 152-158 Bourke Street, it is believed that the 1988 works to the subject building involved a major refurbishment to the whole premises, and the construction of a new canopy for 144-160 Bourke Street (BP). The Commercial Banking Co of Sydney Ltd amalgamated with the National Bank of Australasia to form the National Bank of Australia in 1982. While the exact date is uncertain, the bank had vacated the premises by 1988 when the building was converted to shops (MBAI). Today, the property houses several shops and a restaurant..F M White, ArchitectBorn Francis Maloney White in London, 1819, White was a competent architect who is known for his Gothic Revival and, later, Renaissance Revival works in Melbourne. White received his training at King’s College, London, and in Rouen, France, before migrating to Australia; arriving in the South Australian colony in 1848. He spent some time in Melbourne, Hobart and Edwards River, New South Wales, before returning to Melbourne in 1851 where he commenced practice. Demonstrating a capability across a variety of modes, White produced designs for Italianate mansions, commercial buildings and for the quadrangle at the University of Melbourne. He was architect to the Melbourne Hospital, Lonsdale Street, and was an inaugural member of the Victorian Institute of Architects when it began in 1856 (Willis and Goad, 2012: 762)..REFERENCES cited by ContextArgus, as cited.Australian Architectural Index (AAI), as cited. Copyright Miles Lewis.Beaudesert Times, as cited.Building permit card for 146-150 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1920-1988 (BP).City of Melbourne Municipal Rate Books (RB as cited).Fels, M, Lavelle S, and Mider d 1993, ‘Archaeological Management Plan’, prepared for the City ofMelbourne.Lovell Chen 2017, ‘Melbourne Planning Scheme Amendments C271 and C301 – Guildford andHardware Laneways Heritage’, prepared for the City of Melbourne.Mahlstedt and Gee 1888, Standard plans of the city of Melbourne, Mahlstedt and Gee, Melbourne.Mahlstedt, G 1910, Index to the City of Melbourne detail fire survey, Mahlstedt, Melbourne.Mahlstedt’s Pty Ltd 1925, City of Melbourne detail fire survey. Section 1, Mahlstedt Pty Ltd,Melbourne.Mahlstedt’s Pty Ltd 1948, City of Melbourne detail fire survey. Section 1, Mahlstedt Pty Ltd,Melbourne.Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) Detail Plan, 1895, State Library of Victoria.Public Records Office Victoria (PROV), Building Application Files, VPRS 11201/P/0001 unit 145.Sands & McDougall, Melbourne and Suburban Directories (S&Mc), as cited.Willis, Julie ‘F. M. White’ in Goad, Philip & Willis, Julie (eds.) 2012, The Encyclopedia of AustralianArchitecture, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Names:

City of Melbourne

Topics:

Central Activities District Conservation Study 1985Conservation studiesEarly-mid Victorian period (1851-1875)Interwar periodHotelsBanksBarbers

Places:

Melbourne (Vic.)

Form/Genre:

Building Identification Forms (BIFs)

Record types:

Research and reports

Record number:

1190484