Commercial Travellers Association Club Building, 190-192 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Commercial Travellers Association Club Building, 190-192 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 104018 1
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: 1898-9, 1904-5 (additional storey);ASSOCIATIONS: Commercial Travellers Association;DESIGNER: Tompkins, Henry W; Tompkins, H W & F B;BUILDER: Langford, Clements.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS 7415 (1904);.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:75877 Tomkins Bros; Commercial Travellers Association Melbourne VIC Clubs; Office Buildings Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Richmond 1898 09 11 7298-MCC registration no 7298 [Burchett Index]. Fee 6.0.0Club & offices75893 Tompkin, H B (sic); Commercial Travellers Club Melbourne VIC Clubs; alterations Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Richmond 1904 09 9 9432- MCC registration no 9432 [Burchett Index]. Fee 2.2.0additional storey to premises(Record 75879 Reed, Smart & Tappin; Ball & Welsh Melbourne VIC Warehouses Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Rich. 1899 01 14 7415-MCC registration no 7415 [Burchett Index]. Fee 12.0.0warehouses, Flinders - next Commercial Travellers Club).NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/search/nattrust_result_detail/64979The Flindersgate carpark, constructed in 1990, and designed by Bruce Henderson & Associates, is of regional architectural, aesthetic and historic significance for incorporating the facades of the former Ball & Welch Department Store (1899) and the Commercial Travellers Club (1898).Aesthetically, though greatly altered, the two facades incorporated into the development are important as making a major contribution to one of the most notable historic streetscapes in the city. The strip of buildings in that block of Flinders Street are all impressive structures, most of individual significance. This streetscape is bracketed by the spires of St. Paul's Cathedral at one end, and the onion domed tower of the wonderful Forum Theatre at the other, and also includes the former Metropolitan Gas Company building in a Venetian Gothic Style, and the Greek Revival Masonic Club. All the buildings are of a similar scale, making a most cohesive streetscape, and one that is highly visible from the south. It is part of an important gateway to the city, and is a primary element in establishing the centre of the city as the historic heart of Melbourne.The remaining original elements of the facade of the former Ball & Welch, designed by Reed Tappin & Smart, and completed in 1899, are important as one of the earliest examples of the tall-arched Romanesque Revival style. Inspired by a similar revival in the United States, this style became popular for warehouses and commercial buildings in the city, especially Flinders Lane, in the next decade. Notable elements of the facade include the cement render decoration to the spandrels of the arches, and the paired bellied piers at first floor level.The facade of the CTA building, designed by Tompkins & Tompkins, and completed in 1898, is also an early example of the influence of the Romanesque Revival, but is more transitional, with strong Queen Anne influences and has lost some of its character, since the original top floor turret has been lost with addition of three floors in the 1900s.Historically, Ball & Welch was a major retailer in Melbourne and was a retail establishment with a long history. Founded in 1855, it grew through branches in Carlton and Castlemaine to become one of the first very big department store in Melbourne in 1899 and remained one of the major department stores until the 1960s. The facade, despite substantial alterations, is widely understood as the primary link to the stores former existence.The development is historically notable as one of only two large examples in the CBD of the generally derided practice of 'facading' where literally only the historic facade has been retained (the other example being the T&G building).Commercial TravellersClub facade Classified: 12/12/1985. Upgraded: 10/11.1988Filndersgate carpark (incorporating facades of former Ball & Welch & Commercial Travellers Club) Classified: 28/04/2008.City of Melbourne online maps 2016Flinders Gate172-192 Flinders Street, MelbourneDetailsFlinders Gate:A nine storey brick office building including three basement levels built in 1988. It contains a parking station. On Flinders Street it retains the facades of several buildings built in the 1890's notably the Ball Welch Building designed by Reed Smart & Tappin in the American Romanesque style and built in 1899. Next door is the former Travellers Association Building. A six storey brick building designed by HW & FB Tompkins in the Queen Anne Revival style and built by Clements Langford in 1898. It was subdivided in 1994..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Monday 7 November 1898 - Page 2https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241879481COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS, NEW CLUB BUILDINGS.A short time ago the committee of the Commercial Travellers' Association of Victoria Invited competitive designs from architects for new club and offices, to be erected in Flinders street, opposite Prince's Bridge Station. Some 28 designs were submitted, and the first prize was awarded to Mr Henry W. Tompkins, of Bank place, Collins street, subject to the cost not exceeding the estimate, and the plans and specifications being approved by the Association' consulting architect. Mr R. B. Whitaker. The tender of Mr C. Langford, contractor, was accepted for about ₤250 under the estimated cost. The buildings arc well advanced and will be completed early in April next.The style of architecture adopted is Romanesque. The front elevation will be of Northcote red bricks, with stone and cement facings. The front entrance will be of Pyrmont stone, with polished granite columns. The ground floor will contain the Association's offices, etc., bar, dining room, library, lavatories, etc. The first floor will have club room, and oriel windows overlooking Flinders street, and three card rooms, bar, billiard room for three tables, lavatories, etc.The second and third floors will contain 31 large and well lighted bedrooms, with bathrooms and lavatories.To prevent the odour of cooking in the building, the kitchens and servants' quarters are placed on the fourth floor, communicating with dining room and remainder of the building with a fast running lift, and an elevator will be provided for the use of members. In order to guard against fire, the roofs are to be of concrete und mineral asphalt; the plugs and hose reels will be placed at convenient positions on each floor. The estimated cost of the building, including fireproof roof, was ₤8060 (?); the contractor's tender for the complete work..The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946)Saturday 23 June 1906 - Page 281906 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CLUB- illust.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139185721...As the accommodation at the Commercial Travellers' Club in Flinders-street was found totally inadequate to the requirements of a large and increasing number of members, it was necessary to enlarge the buildings. Failing to obtain more ground, the committee decided to carry the building both upwards and downwards, to the full extent allowed by the building regulations...A look-out has been formed on the top of the building, from which a magnificent view of Melbourne, suburbs, Mt. Macedon, Mt. Martha, and the Dividing Ranges may be seen. The total height of the building, from the foundations to the tower, is 145ft...The principal rooms are heated by electric radiators, and the building throughout is artistically decorated.….
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Research and reports
Record number:
1210177
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 104018 1 | 1 JPEG : 246 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |