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North & West Melbourne Biscuit Making & Flour Milling precinct also Industrial Complex, Laurens and Munster Streets, North Melbourne

Butler, Graeme19 Jan 1985
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Title:
North & West Melbourne Biscuit Making & Flour Milling precinct also Industrial Complex, Laurens and Munster Streets, North Melbourne
Date of work:
19 Jan 1985
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 105503
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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GRAEME BUTLER 1983, CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEGrading as at 1985 : BPeriod : Mid Victorian (1888-1889)Grantee : A G Corbett 1872Grading as at 1985 : BPeriod : Mid Victorian (1888-1889)Grantee : A G Corbett 1872History- In an area built up by biscuit manufacturers, such as Brockhoff, Guthrie & Co, W Blair, and the earliest company, Smith and Sons, from 1874 (at the corner of Miller and Anderson Streets) and adjoining the large railway sidings if Spencer Street, flour miller Thomas Brunton and later T B Guest (biscuit manufacturer) constructed the important buildings in this complex, during the 1880s and 1890s. [Melbourne Building Permit Applications 5791/1874] [Melbourne Building Permit Applications 4764/1890]Brunton commenced in 1888-1889 with the brick flour mills, built between Laurens Street and Munster Terrace. T B Guest adjoined him to the south by 1896, and on the other side of land formerly owned by Lennon the implement maker. Guest had then commenced a brick factory and additions to existing premises, with Box Hill builder George Richardson, A further building was erected during 1898-1899 to complete the complex.Both Brockhoffs and Guests were established earlier on other sites in Melbourne since redeveloped and Brunton stayed on the site until at least the 1960s.Description- The complex, as it exists, contains : the former Brockhoff factory, an altered two-storey stucco building at the Miller Street corner; T B Guest's 1896-1899 factories, four storey parapetted red brick and stucco building facing Laurens Street and a three storey similarly elevated building facing Munster Terrace, and Brunton's three storey parapetted red brick and stucco façade to Munster Terrace and the five storey, similarly elevated one to Laurens Street, Multi-gabled dichrome brick former T B Guest stores and showrooms extend along Laurens Street south of this latter building to the Guest factory: three of the former five survive. Other less distinctive buildings occupy both frontages, being generally from the period c1895-1900,T B Guest Complex - Laurens StreetA four storey symmetrically fenestrated red brick building with segment arched openings and a corniced parapet, with a deep entablature which formerly possessed the firm's name. Pedimented piers, with swags, terminate this entablature at either end.T B Guest Complex - Munster TerraceAs above but where entrance surrounds have been stuccoed and shutters replaced the original doors.Thomas Brunton (more recently Westons Foods) - Laurens StreetFour storey and basement, red brick symmetrically fenestrated building, with segment-arched openings and a simple, corniced stucco parapet. Cream brick quoins and string-moulds with rectangular entablature, provide the decoration to this typically austere factory building. A lift shaft and structures on the roof have been added, but the main façade remains untouched.Thomas Brunton (more recently Westons Foods) - Munster TerraceA four storey building of red brick with cream quoins and string-moulds, and a stuccoed corniced parapet. What was originally a symmetrically fenestrated façade of segment-arched storey doors and windows now has large flat-headed openings.The balance of th4e complex exhibits its industrial nature by the use of simple brick forms with fenestration, either relating to human occupation by regular placement, or machinery by irregular groupings of windows which relate to differing machinery or working levels. Although of little individual significance, they bind the distinctive buildings described into a perceivable complex.More recent concrete silos, although a common form, are unusual for the study area and possess strong landmark qualities,Significance- Architecturally, the complex is remarkably original in the most part, as presented to the street and thus parallel with the rare industrial complexes in the State; in architectural cohesion they surpass many, although they do not possess the breadth of historical development, Each building described has architectural pretensions (being generally from the Italian Renaissance), by their symmetrically fenestrated and parapetted form, which also reflects the post 1890s depression austerity. Although from different owners, the major buildings have similarities which allow them to act as a streetscape as well as an identifiable complex. Of statewide significance as an unusually original and and architecturally competent and cohesive 19th century industrial complex.Historically, a complex which commenced in form and in product type in the 1870s and still operates, in kind, today, being sited close to railway sidings where wheat shipments arrived from the north : perhaps Victoria's biggest ever biscuit manufacturing complex in terms of built site coverage and the second oldest after Swallow and Ariell in Port Melbourne (1854-).Recommendations –Remove paint from face brickwork;repaint trim in typical or original colours;consider future re-development/re-use of complex behindpreserved and enhanced existing facades;consider restoration of openings.References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory; PA= CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION)1. D.1875; D.1880; PA 5791/1874; PA 4764/18902. RB 1888-9, 3579; RB 1889-90, 36143. RB 1898-9,3448___________________________Graeme Butler & Associates 2013, Arden-Macaulay Heritage Reviewsee https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/amendment-c207-arden-macaulay-heritage-review.What is significant?In an area built up by biscuit manufacturers, such as Brockhoff, Guthrie and Co., W. Blair and the earliest company here, Smith and Sons, and adjoining the large railway sidings of North Melbourne and Spencer Street, flour miller Thomas Brunton and later T.B. Guest, (biscuit manufacturer) constructed the important buildings in this complex, during the late 1880s and 1890s. Brockhoff, Brunton and Guest were nationally known while Smith and Sons exhibited successfully at the first Melbourne International Exhibitions of the 1870s and the Paris Exhibition 1878.Smith and Sons commissioned a biscuit factory in 1874 at the corner of Miller and Anderson Streets (3-5), later occupied by Adolphus Brockhoff and later still the subject of a damaging fire and a subsequent renovation. Brockhoff added stores and stabling in 1886.Thomas Brunton commenced his part of the complex in 1888-9 with the brick flour mills, built between Laurens and Munster Terrace (later Love's). T.B. Guest adjoined him to the south with a large biscuit factory by 1896, on the other side of land formerly owned by Lennon the implement maker. Guest had then commenced a brick factory and additions to existing premises, with Box Hill builder, George Richardson. A further building was erected during 1898-9 to complete the complex.Both Brockhoffs and Guests' were established earlier on other sites in Melbourne since re-developed and Brunton stayed on the site until at least the 1960s..The precinct contains:the former Smith & Sons, later Brockhoff factory, an altered 1870s two-storeyed stucco building at the Miller Street corner; T.B. Guest's 1896-9 red brick factories, four-storey parapeted red brick and stucco building facing Laurens Street and three-storey, similarly elevated building facing Munster Terrace; Brunton's three-storey parapeted red and cream brick and stucco façade to Munster Terrace and the five storey, similarly elevated one to Laurens Street. Multi-gabled dichrome brick former Brunton's stores and showrooms, extend along Laurens Street north and south of this latter building to the Guest factory: four of the former five gabled stores survive.T.B. Guest Complex Laurens StreetA four-storey symmetrically fenestrated red brick building with segment arched openings and a corniced parapet, with a deep entablature which formerly possessed the firm's name. Pedimented piers, with swags, terminate this entablature at either end: this façade is unaltered.Munster TerraceThe elevations are similar to those of Laurens Street but entrance surrounds have been stuccoed and shutters replaced the original doors.Thomas Brunton (later Loves) Laurens StreetFour-storey and basement, red brick symmetrically fenestrated building, with segment-arched openings and a simple, corniced stucco parapet. Cream brick quoins and string-moulds with rectangular entablature, provide the decoration to this typically austere factory building. A lift shaft and structures on the roof have been added, but the main façade remains untouched, save the painted sign to the brickwork.Munster TerraceA four-storey building of red brick, with cream quoins and string-moulds, and a stuccoed corniced parapet. What was originally a symmetrically fenestrated façade of segment-arched storey-doors and windows has been marred by the addition of large, flat-headed openings..The balance of the complex exhibits its industrial nature by the use of simple brick forms with fenestration, either relating to human occupation by regular placement, or machinery by irregular groupings of windows which relate to differing machinery or working levels. Although of little individual significance, they bind the distinctive buildings described into a perceivable complex. Many have new openings and the brickwork has been painted.More recent concrete silos, although of a common form, are unusual for the study area and possess strong landmark qualities.How is it significant?North & West Melbourne Biscuit Making & Flour Milling precinct is locally significant architecturally and historically, with potential State significance.Why is it significant?Architecturally, the contributory elements of the North & West Melbourne Biscuit Making & Flour Milling precinct are remarkably well preserved as presented to the street and thus parallel with the rare industrial complexes such as those at the Geelong waterfront. In terms of architectural cohesion they surpass Geelong although they do not possess the breadth of historical development. Each building described has high architectural pretensions (being generally inspired by Italian Renaissance revival) as seen in their shared symmetrically fenestrated and parapeted form. Although from different owners, the major buildings in the complex have similarities which allow them to act as a strong streetscape as well as-an identifiable complex. The precinct is of State significance as an unusually original and architecturally competent and cohesive 19th and early 20th century industrial complex.Historically, the North & West Melbourne Biscuit Making & Flour Milling precinct commenced in form and in product type in the 1870s and still operates, in kind, today: being sited close to key railway sidings where wheat shipments arrived from the north. The precinct, when combined with that of nearby Kensington, is Victoria's biggest ever flour milling and biscuit manufacturing complex in terms of built site coverage and output and the second oldest after, Swallow and Ariell in Port Melbourne (1854-) which has since been redeveloped. The buildings making up the precinct are landmarks within the local area and highly representative of the special role played by North & West Melbourne in the handling and marketing of rural produce and Victorian-era industrial development within the State.The three millers in this part of Kensington and North and West Melbourne, being Kimpton, Gillespie and Brunton, are credited with the introduction of modern roller flour milling in Victoria, a move which led to the development of the export flour trade as one of Australia’s major exports..GRAEME BUTLER 1983, 1985 CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM 1985___________________________MELBOURNE PLANNING SCHEME REFERENCE DOCUMENT CITY OF MELBOURNE HERITAGE PRECINCTS: BACKGROUND HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT(proposed as a reference document to Clause 22.06 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme but not implemented, revised and restructured content from the Heritage Precincts Project study reports prepared by heritage consultant and City of Melbourne heritage advisor Meredith Gould Architects Pty Ltd December 2004)Extract from Kensington & Flour Milling Heritage Precinct`Background History.….In the 1880s several new mills were built on the trunk railways including James Gillespie’s Kensington Roller Flour Mill of 1886-7 (the largest mill in the colony - 25 sacks per hour). This fully modern roller mill was designed by Twentyman and Askew, who also designed Gillespie’s Kensington House around the same time. Kimpton’s Eclipse Hungarian Roller Flour mills of 1887 was also design of Twentyman & Askew, and located 100 metres from Gillespie’s. Thomas Brunton’s Australian Flour Mills were erected in North Melbourne as part of that firm’s expansion out of the city in 1893-4. It was fitted with the latest Hungarian Gantz plant, but upgraded with a Simon plant in 1913. This long-standing mill was taken over by N.B Love of the Weston Food group in 1950s.Brockhoff biscuits located further south, was also built around 1890 with the intervening space filled with various stores and warehouses serving to milling and baking trade.James Minifie & Co (former head miller at Dight’s Falls Mill and Kempton’s) built his own Victoria Roller Flour Mill in 1906-7 in South Kensington. The innovative concrete silos designed by Edward Giles Stone were built beside the mill in 1910-11. This mill closed in 1969 and produced ‘O-So-Lite’ packaged flour and cake mixes.Kimpton’s original mill was burnt out and rebuilt in 1904 and became known as the Kimpton No. 1 Mill. It closed in 1971. The Gillespie mill was bought by Kimpton in 1904 following the liquidation of Gillespie’s Victorian interests, becoming Kimpton No. 2 Mill. It was refitted in 1913, closed in 1976 and demolished in 1982. Sophisticated brick silos and blending bins were added to the complex in 1910, and new concrete silos in 1927 and 1939. A silo fire and explosion in 1967 caused the injuries to five men, one of whom later died from the burns.The Kimpton No. 3 mill was built in 1927 on the corner of Elizabeth and Arden St. (now converted to offices). Stables in the front were replaced with a laboratory in 1935, which came to play an important role in the development of cereal chemistry in Australia. A stock feed plant for the ‘Barastock’ range was added 1938, south of Arden St. A merger of three prominent milling firms created Kimpton Minifie McLennan Pty Ltd in the 1960s, which was bought out by Allied Mills in 1981, then Goodman Fielder. As a result, a new mill was erected north of the silos in the 1990s.These three – Kimpton, Gillespie and Brunton, were credited with the introduction of roller milling in Victoria, a move which led to the development of the export flour trade as one of the country’s major overseas earners.'___________________________Cyclopedia of Victoria 1903,V1: 556 describes firm and shows image of factory as precursor of today's corner building.___________________________Australian Architects IndexTB GuestW.T. Gore: Tenders wanted - rebuilding biscuit factory lately destroyed by fire at the premises of Guest & Co William Street. Argus 28.2.1870, p 3;Sydney W. Smith: Tenders wanted for pitching at Guest's Biscuit Factory, William St.Argus 21.4.1885, p 2;E.G. Kilburn: Sketch of the staircase hall in a residence designed for Mr T.B. Guest Glenferrie Rd. Hawthorn.Building Engineering and Mining Journal 26.6.1891 p 252.BruntonTenders required for iron shed, Brunton and Gillespie, Australian Flour Mills, Spencer Street. Argus 19.12.1877, p 3Twentyman & Askew: 1883, Tender accepted for residence at Ascot Vale for Mr Brunton. Tender sum £764.T. & A. Tender Book SLV MS138/2Brockhoff- none.Smith & Sons - none.___________________________Building Permit Applications:BPA5791 1874 Biscuit Factory Munster Tce, O= Smith & sons, cnr Miller St, B= Murray & Hill.BPA2199 May 1886 Brockhoff, Guthrie & Co ₤4/4/- 2 stores, stabling, etc. A= Joseph Thorneloe, B= Watson & Co, cnr Anderson & Miller Streets1890, BPA4764 Dec 1890 factory for W Blair (see 49 Stawell St) ₤6, A= Billing & Son, B= James B Stone in Anderson St1896, BPA6838 Dec 1896 TB Guest Factory and additions Anderson Street ₤8/7/- B= Geo Richardson, Box hill1906, BPA204 insulated grain store at Lennon - site of old tanks & malt house, A=F Stapley, B= Baxter, James, O= Minifie & Gatehouse.1906, BPA230 flour mill at Lennon , A=F Stapley, B= Baxter, James, O= Minifie & Gatehouse..Building Permit Applicationsee Laurens St : 9-29 TB Guest1937, 18595- ₤5200 erection of a building; etc.1963, ₤5,500 36401, construct alts, TB Guest37206 ₤7000 new steel framed building; etc1986 ₤70000 alts to office, warehouse (29)2-20 Laurens St : 1959, 33009 ₤30,000 single & 2 storey store & offices; etc. for TB Guest, B= RE Hilsberg P/L- see file___________________________Heritage Places Inventory July 2008:-7-21 Anderson St B3;- Munster Tce, Weston Milling (former N.B. Love Mills - see Laurens Street entry) B3;1 - Weston Milling (former Filigree Pty Ltd building) B3___________________________Newspapers`The Argus':Thursday 15 June 1871`An exceedingly creditable specimen of colonial-manufactured machinery has been recently supplied by Mr. J. Barnes, of Carlton, to Messrs. Smith and Sons, biscuit-makers, Lonsdale-street east. The uses to which the machine is applied are multifarious in their nature. After the flour is worked up into dough and rolled, it is placed in the machine in order to be cut, stamped, and turned into biscuits, and the whole of these operations are performed with a celerity, cleanliness, and ease which show how admirably adapted the machinery is for the work for which it was designed. By means of a number of ingenious mechanical contrivances, the thickness of the dough is regulated to a nicety, cut into the form of biscuits, stamped and lettered by the same machine, by means of one continuous motion. The dough is placed in one end of the machine in long strips, and comes out at the other end in biscuits properly shaped, stamped, and all ready for baking. The Messrs. Smith have also taken care to provide suitable machinery for performing this important feature in their operations. Sometime ago they found that the old furnace oven then in use was not only not expeditious enough for their business, but that it was also wasteful of labour and fuel to a very considerable extent. They were advised to try one of Mackenzie's American patent reel ovens, and they find it admirably answers every requirement. By means of a damper the heat of the ovens can be reduced to any temperature required, and so excellent are the heating arrangements altogether that the loss in baking is reduced to a minimum, there being frequently not a pound weight of biscuits spoilt in a whole day's baking. As an illustration of the superiority of this oven over the old one, it may be mentioned that whereas tho latter could only bake 400 biscuits at a time, the new one can bake 1,300 without difficulty.'Wednesday 6 November 1872(International Exhibition)`One of the most noticeable exhibits is a pyramidical stand of biscuits, consisting of tins containing different varieties piled up in order, and surmounted by a glass jar of large dimensions, filled with fancy biscuits. These are shown by T. B. Guest and Co., steam biscuit manufacturers, William Street. Over 20 different sorts are presented. This manufactory was established in 1856, and employs 35 bonds. The newest machinery is used, and biscuits are produced equal to any imported. The fact is, however, that the colonial article has the command of the market, and an English manufactured biscuit is rarely seen. This firm received a medal at the Sydney Exhibition for fancy biscuits. They have no competitors on this occasion, but Messrs. Smith and Son, Lonsdale street, exhibit some specimens of their charcoal biscuits, which they have lately commenced to manufacture'Friday 31 January 1873`a letter which appears in another column from Mr. GIRDLESTONE, the chairman of experts appointed to examine preparations of food sent to the late Exhibition. It will be seen that the experts, after giving an opinion in their report on every article submitted to their scrutiny, recommended certain articles as being worthy of special distinction … Biscuits were dealt with in the same way. T. B. GUEST and Co.'s exhibits were adjudged the first prize, and SMITH and Son's charcoal biscuits were thought "worthy " of distinction, though in a less degree." In this Instance also the commissioners paid no attention to tho distinction made by the experts, and awarded a bronze medal to both.'25 Dec 1873 Smith and Sons listed in Lonsdale St.16 June 1874 Smith and Sons in Elizabeth St.Friday 3 September 1875`Victorian Exhibition 1875:BISCUITS AND CONFECTIONARYThe exhibition in the two classes adds very materially to the pleasing appearance of this part of the hall many of the firms having gone to considerable expense in arranging their goods to the best advantage and the quality of their manufactures generally speaking is seemingly such as to quite justify the increasing demand which there is for them to the exclusion of the imported article. One of the most attractive trophies in the exhibition is that of Messrs Swallow and Ariell, Sandridge and Melbourne. It is in the form of an obelisk about 18 ft high its faces from base to apex being covered with glass under which are displayed various kinds of biscuits and cakes Adjoining is a huge pile of tins of the same goods packed for transport and including about 150 different sorts of biscuits from the smallest ratafia to the coarsest ship biscuit This firm also shows a specialty in the shape of wholemeal biscuits for greyhounds under course of trainingSmith and Son West Melbourne have a large pile of biscuits and cakes amongst which are to be seen samples of charcoal biscuits that have of late years been recommended for the cure of indigestion and similar complaintsT B Guest and Co exhibit a good looking trophy of dessert and fancy biscuits..'`North Melbourne Advertiser' (Vic. : 1873 - 1894)Saturday 29 June 1889To NORTH MELBOURNE COUNCIL. `That the application of Mr T. Brunton to divert a portion of the waste water that flows down south side of Queensberry street into tanks at the corner of Laurens street and Queensberry street, for the purpose of feeding the boilers at flour mills recently erected in Laurens street, be granted; conditionally upon Mr Brunton entering into a bond to indemnify the Council, and to guarantee that nothing prejudicial to health will arise.'5 Feb 1892`TUG OF WAR AT KENSINGTON, --- On Saturday afternoon the residents of Flemington and Kensington assembled in great force to witness the tug-of-war which had been arranged by an enterprising committee of gentlemen, to take place between local teams, representing various trades,..The next to make their debut were Brunton and Durham's men and Kimpton's Flour Mills team. The latter, although having to contend against weight, simply "walking away" with the rope.'`The Argus': Wednesday 4 January 1899PUBLIC NOTICES.TB GUEST and CO PROPRIETRY LIMITEDBISCUIT and CAKE MANUFACTURERS,MELBOURNEAre now in full working order in their NEW FACTORY- which is replete with all the NEWEST APPPROVED APPLIANCES known to the trade and as the buildings have been specially designed for the manufacture of Biscuits and Cakes, the temperature of the mixing rooms and bakehouses can be regulated so as to suit the various operations in the process of making each class of goods.We have in fact the most modern and best arranged factory In the Southern Hemisphere which certainly enables us to compete successfully with the best makers in the world for quality…TB GUEST & Co P/L ANDERSON AND LAURENS STREETS, WEST AND NORTH MELBOURNE'___________________________State Library of VictoriaAC Cooke Melbourne Panorama 1871Factories not apparent (no chimney)___________________________Sands & McDougall Directory of Victoria/Melbourne:North & West Melbourne Conservation Study research data:1905(Laurens)TB Guest & Co, biscuit manfr; 2 Thos McCormack, Brunton & Co stores; William Luke(Munster 1-17)Brunton & Co flour mills, Stuart D Brunton, mangr.1895(1-17 Munster) Flour mills, T Brunton(2-20 Laurens) Flour mills, T Brunton.1890(Munster)T Brunton, miller; Mrs Eliza Stapleton (Victoria St), Brockhoff, AF & Co, biscuit manfr.(Laurens)T Brunton (miller), Edward Crawford (bker), Gourlay & Co, confr), Brockhoff & Co, biscuit manuf (Victoria St),.Wise 1884-5 (alpha)Brockhoff, Adolphus F & Co biscuit manuf. Anderson St, Melbourne also Flinders Lne West, Melbourne.Guest, TB & Co biscuit bkrs, 95-99 William Street, Melb.(Smith & Sons not cited).1880, 1875 (West Melb)Smith & Sons, biscuit manuf. west side Anderson St between Miller & Victoria Streets (Lennon, Hugh, implement maker- to north) ..1880 Munster Terrace west side- only between Queensberry and Victoria Streets.Municipal rate books:RB1887-8 (North Melbourne)3562 Land O=McDougal ₤20RB1888-93579 Thos Brunton, miller, Land & Improvements ₤600;RB1889-903614 Thos Brunton, miller, Br Fl Mill ₤750;RB1895-6(1-17 Munster) 3556 Rob Brunton, miller ₤510 ; 3557 land Mrs McLean ₤150;(2-20 Laurens) 3558 land Mrs McLean ₤150;RB1896-73539 Thos Brunton, flour miller, owner-occupier Br Flour Mill ₤500;3540-1 land The Lennon estate ₤35, ₤125.3542 Thos B Guest, biscuit manuf, owner-occupier `Position of building in course of erection' ₤10;RB1897-83539-3542 (as for 1896-7)RB1898-993446 Thos Brunton, flour miller, owner-occupier 17 Br Flour Mill ₤500;3447 land Brunton, ₤283448 Land & Building being erected, Guest, ₤120;3449 Guest bisc manuf owner-occupier, Br bakehouse, ₤28.RB1899-19003416-17 Thos B Guest (as before) buildings in Nth Melbourne part of site, land and stables etc. ₤180;3418 Thos Brunton miller, Br Street ₤60;3419 Thos Brunton miller, Br flour mill ₤500RB1900-19013367 Guest ditto Br Fact ₤1803368 Brunton Br Stables ₤843369 Brunton Br Flour Mill ₤500.
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