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Ship Inn Hotel, later Norfolk Hotel , Tavistock Hotel also Tavistock House , 383-387 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Butler, Graeme1985

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Butler, Graeme (Name details)

Date of work:

1985

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BIF-CITY 103954

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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)

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Graphic materialsTextual material

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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)

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UnrestrictedOpen access.

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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.

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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:DATE: 1850, 1906;ASSOCIATIONS: John Tighe; Rocke Tompsitt & Co.;DESIGNER: Samuel Marlow ; Flanagan, Leonard;BUILDER: Browne, James - Geelong 1850; Shillabeer, F EIMAGE: https://flic.kr/p/2m7xW7e.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryReputedly commencing in 1836 under John Moss, the Ship Inn Hotel is noted in the Port Phillip papers from 1839, as first William Lake's house then Shaw's and later under John Stanway it was called Stanway's Hotel (1841). George Stanway and, after 1844, Mrs Stanway took up the license, extending it to a billiard license in mid-1845. John Tighe took over the hotel in the same year, calling it the Donnybrook Inn and adding a newly arrived billiard table, from the ship `Petrosion', in June 1846. John and Mary Tighe remained there into the 1850s when, in May 1850, John Tighe applied as owner to build a hotel in Flinders Lane; his architect was Samuel Marlow and the builder, James Browne. Two years later Mrs Mary Tighe again used Browne to build a house near the Ship Inn. Bibbs plan (c1856)shows the hotel occupying a similar site to that of the present.Reputedly it was rebuilt as the Norfolk Hotel by Samuel Crickmer in 1866, changing its name to the Tavistock Hotel in 1893, after the lane passing its eastern side. However building permit applications do not support the reconstruction theory. Under a new ownership of manufacturing chemists Rocke Tompsitt and Co. the old hotel was converted to shops and offices, in 1906, to a design from Leonard Flanagan's office. Its new stucco facing was applied by contractor, F E Shillabeer, over the old 1850 form.Given Flanagan's long architectural career it is likely that he was not the designer. His 330-334 Swanston Street (1913) possesses a free treatment, not unlike Robert Haddon's work (see 25 Flinders Lane) and it is possible that both designs were contracted out to this `architectural expert'.DescriptionThe old splay-corner hotel form is still visible despite the stucco fantasy which now adorns it. Although inspired by medieval prototypes, the final effect is gained from the English Arts and Crafts plant motifs repeated here in cement at the parapet and as a twisting vine enclosing the attached bartizan-like piers. Both gentle and pronounced ox-bow arches undulate, as the parapet between the piers. They narrow down to make regimented progress along the Flinders Lane face but rise again at the western end to form the parapet arch-over the shop-front. Medieval hood moulds traverse the facade as impost mouldings and a rough-cast cushion bulge marks the first floor level of the main elevations. Beneath all this, some of the old double-hung sashes have survived; in other cases paired sashes may be amendments. The substantial six-panel door pair to the former residential section has the look of age as does the low interior and staircase. Reputedly the ceilings are of the art-metal type, probably replacing plaster in 1906.Down Tavistock Place, a plainer facade has been re-glazed among other things.IntegritySome glazing details, the shop front and numerous signs on the facade are new. The wall colour is `sympathetic'.StreetscapeIsolated except for a later warehouse in Tavistock Place.SignificanceA distinctive if two-dimensional renovation in the Edwardian Freestyle, particularly for its cement detailing on the upper facade also one of the state's earliest hotel sites which retains the earliest surviving hotel structure in the CAD, albeit altered..VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0787What is significant?Tavistock House was built for John Tighe as a hotel circa 1850. The architect was Samuel Marlow. The hotel was known as the Ship Inn. The building was extensively altered and extended during the nineteenth century. In 1906 it was renovated again, giving its present Edwardian Freestyle form with Art Nouveau detailing. The 1906 renovations were designed by Leonard Flanagan's office. Another architect, Robert Haddon, is thought to have been consulted on the Art Nouveau decoration. Internally the pit sawn timber roof is evidence of the earliest stage of construction whilst the pressed metal ceilings are evidence of the early twentieth century renovations.How is it significant?Tavistock House is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?Tavistock House is historically significant as one of the State's earliest surviving hotel sites and retains in small part, the earliest surviving hotel structure in the city. Although substantially altered in detail, Tavistock House is still recognisable as a hotel, possessing the simple form and fenestration of hotels of the mid nineteenth century. It is, in part, among a very small group of pre-gold rush buildings in the city.Tavistock House is architecturally significant as an unusual but distinctive two-dimensional renovation in the Edwardian Freestyle manner, and is particularly notable for its unusual Art Nouveau cement detailing on the upper facade. The building is a successful blending of elements of early Australian colonial and later Edwardian Freestyle architecture..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7' CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS 9822;.REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7: 39Built 1866, as 2 storey hotel with attic and basement -existing as shops and offices over…site has long history but the building `is of little architectural value' retention of desirable.Provides long chronology: Ship Inn 1836-7 John Moss… Norfolk Hotel 1866 rebuilt, 1882-3 Casey's Hotel; 1884 Norfolk Hotel; 1893- Tavistock Hotel; 1914 closed; 1915 new owner Rocke Tompsitt & Co converted to shops and offices Tavistock House; … July 1945 purchased for Melbourne Naval Centre in 1947....LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Record 75900 Marlow, Sam - Brittania Hotel; Tigh, John Melbourne VIC Hotels Browne, James - Geelong 1850 05 6 125 MCC registration no 125 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.3.0 Hotel Flinders Lane,(75892 Flannagan, -; Bartram & Co West Melbourne VIC Factories Shillabeere F E - 74 Buckley St Footscray 1904 06 1 9343 MCC registration no 9343 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.3.0 box factory Flinders extension).VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTERHistory of Place:The first publican on the site was John Moss in 1836. He was the original purchaser of allotment 3 block 2. Moss possibly held a licence until 1839 when the hotel is referred to as William Lake's house and then Shaw's. Between 1841-44 George Stanway becomes the licensee, then John Tighe took over the hotel, renaming it the Donnybrook Inn. In May 1850 Tighe applied, as owner, to build a hotel in Flinders Lane, designed by Samuel Marlow and built by James Browne. Tighe names the new hotel the Ship Inn. In 1866 Samuel Crickner reputedly rebuilt the hotel and changed the name to Norfolk Hotel, although there are no building permit applications to support rebuilding at this time. In 1888 the proprietor is J Hyams. In 1893 the name was changed again to Tavistock Hotel by Mattie Somner. In 1906 manufacturing chemists Rocke, Tompsitt and Co. purchased the property and engaged architect Leonard Flanigan to convert the building to shops and offices with a new stucco finish over the nineteenth century structure. The contractor was F E Shillabeer. In 1914 the publican's licence was surrendered and the Tavistock Hotel became Tavistock House.Tavistock House was acquired as a recreation centre for the Royal Australian Navy in 1947.DOVE, H P. 1876. PLANS OF MELBOURNE: EXECUTED FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES.Map 13 - shown as Norfolk Hotel (66) W B Jones (68) Flinders Lane West - 2 storey masonry L-plan 2 storey masonry stable and shed..MAHLSTEDT AND GEE 1888. STANDARD PLANS OF THE CITY OF MELBOURNEplan book compiled by Mahlstedt and Gee, surveyors and draughtsmen, Melbourne and Sydney, January 1888.Map 18 - shown as Norfolk Hotel 66-70 Flinders Lane West - 2 storey masonry L-plan 2 storey masonry (stable?) on rear boundary. 59' frontage 70' side.MAHLSTEDT FIRE INSURANCE PLAN SERIES STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIAMap 18 1910- shown as Tavistock Hotel (hotel crossed out) 383, 385, 387 2 storey masonry L-plan 2 storey masonry (stable) on rear boundary..eMelbourne web siteShip InnBuilt by John Moss between 1836 and 1837 in front of his Flinders Lane brewery on the site of present-day Tavistock House (383 Flinders Lane), the first Ship Inn was a wattle, daub and sawn timber tavern. It was one of the first six hotels licensed in Melbourne. Replaced in 1846 by a brick building housing Melbourne's first Servant's Registry Office (operated by Edward Cochane), it was rebuilt in 1850 as a hotel and adjoining offices to a design by Samuel Marlow for John and Mary Tighe. In 1866 Samuel Crickmer changed the name to the Norfolk Hotel, and in 1893 it became the Tavistock under Mattie Somner. Renovated in 1906 with art nouveau detailing to a design by Leonard Flanagan's office, the Tavistock was closed in December 1914 and converted into retail and office premises. A large part of the remaining building is believed to be the oldest hotel structure extant in Central Melbourne.CHRYSTOPHER J. SPICER.City of Melbourne i-Heritage:Statement of SignificanceTavistock House was originally built as the Norfolk Hotel in 1866, continuing a tradition on that site that began with the establishment of the Shop Inn Hotel in 1836. In 1893 its name was changed to the Tavistock Hotel and, in 1906, it was converted to shops and offices for the manufacturing chemists, Rocke, Tompsitt and Co. At the time, the exterior of the building was refurbished in an Edwardian free-style to a design by architect Leonard Flanagan. It still retains the basic form of the earlier hotel. A distinctive if two-dimensional renovation in the Edwardian Freestyle, particularly for its cement detailing on the upper facade also one of the state's earliest hotel sites which retains the earliest surviving hotel structure in the CAD, albeit altered..NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)Built for John Tighe as an hotel and adjoining offices in 1850 and 1852 respectively to the design of Samuel Marlow, the Ship Inn was extensively renovated in 1906, providing its present Art Nouveau detailing and Freestyle form. The renovations were designed by Leonard Flanagan's office. The "architectural expert", Robert Haddon, is thought to have been consulted on the design. It is a distinctive two-dimensional renovation in the Edwardian Freestyle manner, particularly notable for its cement detailing on the upper facade. It is one of the State's earliest surviving hotel sites and retains in part, the earliest surviving hotels structure in the Central Activities District (CAD). Although altered in detail, it is still recognisable, possessing the simple form and fenestration of hotels of the period. It is also at least in part, among a small group of pre-gold rush buildings in the State and one of only eleven in the C A D.Classified: 02/11/1989.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1908 DEATH OF MR. ARTHUR PARRY licensee of the Tavistock Hotel.- Flinders-lanehttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197351093...alleged, Parry was subjected last Saturday night, when he was attacked by men who were drinking at the hotel. It is stated that Parry, who was a small, delicate, and inoffensive man, found occasion to order out of the bar some men who were said to have been using bad language...a struggle ensued, and that -during the struggle the licensee was hustled across Flinders-lane and knocked down in a right of-way opposite the premises...https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/208831382.1914 LICENCES REDUCTION BOARD, As a result of the inquiries by the Licenses Reduction Board, 10 more hotels in the city, of Melbourne are to be closed - includes Tavistock Hotel Class D; also compensation sittings in the Latrobe and Lonsdale licensing districts. Tavistock Hotel, Flinders-lane. Owner, Mr. H. Tompsitt.1919GRUNDY and Co., Timber Merchants, Brunswick. City Show rooms, 387-389 Flinders laneSale of Tavistock Househttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4715979.1931https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/203722139EXHIBITION OF WATER COLORS.Miss Sheila Hawkins as a Modernist.At the Home and Beauty Display Rooms, Tavistock House, 383 Flinders-lane, Miss Sheila Hawkins is showing a number of decorative water colors treated in the modern manner, which means a departure from the methods and outlook of the normal water colorist.. In doing this Miss Hawkins is following the trend of the fashion of the day, and is no doubt developing some hitherto unexplored phase of her inner conceptiveness. Rhythm, pat tern und the mysteries of significant form are clearly among the things she is aiming at, and without question what she has achieved shows purpose and the definite pursuit of an ideal. .This young artist had gone tar as a decorative designer before she finished her school days, and has since justified the promise of her childhood. One of her black and white drawings was recently purchased for the Felton Bequest.The exhibition will remain open tor one week.see https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242767939.1936The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 5 Sep 1936 Page 15https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11911088/574928OBITUARYMr. Samuel FrippMr. Samuel Fripp, managing director or Rocke, Tompsitt and Co. Pty. Ltd., died at his home in Studley Park road, Kew, yesterday morning. He was aged 80 years and had been in to his office on Monday. Mr. Fripp joined the firm which is now known as Rocke Tompsitt and Co in 1877 when it was founded by Mr Herbert Rocke. Mr H T Tompsitt joined the firm later and in 1904 Mr. Fripp became a partner.When Mr Tompsitt died in 1919 Mr. Fripp became managing director. Mr Fripp had several other commercial interests. He was a director of the Economic Insurance Co Ltd and had been a director of the Herald and Weekly Times Ltd for 23 years occupying for some time the position of vice chair- man. He was also vice-president of the Old Colonists Association of Victoria. He was a member of the Athenaeum Club the West Brighton Club the Victoria Racing Club the Victoria Amateur Turf Club and formerly the Melbourne Bowling Club. Mr. Fripp was born at Islington, London in 1856, and was related to Sir Alfred Fripp, the famous surgeon.He was married twice and leaves a widow, three sons and a daughter. His sons are Mr. S J A Fripp and Lawrence Fripp who were associated with him in his business and Mr T R Fripp of Pyramid Hill. His daughter Sister Bell formerly of the Alfred Hospital is in London The funeral will leave his home for Boroondara Cemetery at 11 am to day Arrangements are being made by A A Sleight Pty Ltd.1946City Building Bought- For Existing-Naval Club A city club for existing-members of the Navy has been obtained with the purchase of Tavistock House, 383 Flinders lane, bythe Ex-Naval Men's Association.…. Tavistock House was at one time the Tavistock Hotel, a well-known hostelry in the 1890's. The property is on the south side of Flinders lane, between Queen and Market sts, on land 60ft by 80ft along Tavistock lane. The building is of two and three stories, and is now used for shops and offices.1947https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22407430MELBOURNE NAVAL CENTREThe Melbourne Naval Centre committee has completed plans for purchase of Tavistock House, 388 Flinders lane. A committee of management was appointed, consisting of Commander J. B. S. Barwood (Commonwealth Naval Board…).DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL.1910383 Tavistock hotel—Parry, Mrs Julia M.385 Curtis, Henry, mercantile broker387 Rahaley, Edward, hairdresser & tobacconist.1920383-385 TAVISTOCK HOUSE—Ground floor—Interstate Advertising Agcy—Mitchell,W„4-5 Curtis, Henry, mercantile brokerFirst floor-1 Finnigan, A. E., com agent2 Eastern Imports Pty Ltd2 Cotton, T. W., Pty Ltd, mnfrs' agnts2 Gordon, R. G., consltg engnr8 Delmo Bros, macaroni mnfrs4 Stenbeck & Bennet, mnfrs' agents & bakers' suppliers5 Victn Wheat Commission (sample rm)6 Taylor, John R., corn agent7 O'Callaghan, Herbert F., mnfrs' agent8 Brown, Jno, H., mnfrs' agentBenson. Thos., crtirr

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City of Melbourne

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