London Tavern and London-chambers., later Hotel London, 97-103 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
London Tavern and London-chambers., later Hotel London, 97-103 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103176
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: EdwardianConstruction date: 1911 - (97-99)Notable feature: Unusual parapet.....ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistory`Building' magazine announced in August 1911 the letting of a contract to erect a six-storey building for the London Tavern and London Chambers. The plans had been prepared by Nahum Barnet, the quantities by J. A. Wood & Sons and the successful contractor was Master Builder, R. McDonald, with a price of 16,000 pounds. Typically, it was to built on the site of a previous London Tavern, `...The London Tavern is to be pulled down to make way for the largest stretch of marble bar in Australia with a spacious basement below it and five storeys of guests' rooms above it..' In fact what was built was dining rooms in the `spacious basement' , the tavern at ground level and the guests' rooms were let as offices. The tenants were many and varied, including dentists, tailors, milliners, land agents, the Burrough's Adding machine Company and a host of others. Number 101-3 was Carter's tailors & mercers in 1920 and 105 was Thistle's luncheon rooms. Jacka Edmunds & Co. hardware and electrical distributers, had 101-3 ten years later.What was reputedly built as a warehouse on the north (105) was united internally and visually with the then Hotel London in 1934, the architects being Smith Ogg & Serpell and the builders, Hansen & Yuncken Pty. Ltd.DescriptionComprised of a four-storey and seven-storey elevation, the overall design rises in a relatively conservative manner until the parapet is reached. Here a tall, almost whimsical Elizabethan gable is bifocated by a spear-like pier which extends, above the layered scrolls of the parapet gable, to support a ball at its pinacle. Either side of the central gable a half-arch springs out to terminate below on a broken cornice line to prescribe the extent of the fenestration bay which then descends through a series of balconettes to the ground level. Composed of three facade elements, the central element is a tripartite tall-arched device, flanked by single arches as the secondary elements. The uppermost balconette terminates the central element, the next crossing the entire facade to unite the three bays to one consisting of five lights below. This section of the facade descends through one level of ornamental spandrels, with Heraldic motifs within, through to the ground level. The adjoining lower-storey building adopts each of these motifs in a simplified form.External IntegrityGenerally original on the upper levels, except for obtrusive paint colours, but a cantilevered canopy has been added in c1934 (retains part of its fascia ornamentation) and the ground level elevation replaced completely in the same period and in more recent renovations.StreetscapeRelates closely to 107 and through the use of period detail to 107-115 Elizabeth Street.SignificanceAn architecturally distinctive building, its parapet treatment in particular being unique, but altered in detail and drasticallyat the ground level also part of a notable streetscape..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 80 Keith & John R Reid, 1976, CBD STUDY AREA 7,p277-.1934 joining 4 storey warehouse (Altson Building, 101-103 used by Sherar Andrew & Co stationers early 1900s) amalgamated with hotel including internal renovations…Smith Ogg & Serpell March 1934 p. Xl)Builders: Hansen & Yuncken Pty. Ltd…retention not warranted however {facade desirable for streetscape contribution… 97-99 rebuilt 1911 known as London House, with London Tavern continuing on ground floor…known as Hotel London 1931.Melbourne Planning Schemepart HO616: 97-117 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEXRecord 75222 Barnet, N; Harris - Trustees Melbourne VIC Hotels; Office Buildings McDonald,, R - 161 Flinders Lane 1911 08 3 2799, MCC registration no 2799 [Burchett Index]. Fee 7.5.0 hotel & offices Elizabeth - 97/9.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Tuesday 9 May 1911 - Page 12T E N D E R sAre Required forERECTION Of SIX-STORY building.Elizabeth-street, 'For the London Tavern and London-chambers.Plans and specification may be seen at the office architect, Paton-buildings, Elizabeth-street…NAHUM BARNET....The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Thursday 20 July 1911 - Page 3A CITY HOTEL BUILDING CONTRACT LET.The contract for the erection of a new six-storey hotel on the site of the old London Tavern. In Elizabeth street, has been let. Mr Nahum Barnet is the architect, and the contractor for the work is Mr R. W. M'Donald, his tender being £16,000.
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Research and reports
Record number:
1204003
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103176 | 1 PDF : 1,096 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |