G J Coles & Co.Store, later Deva House, 327-329 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme01/01/1985
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A distinctive application of the neo-Grec style to a tall thin elevation which relates strongly to adjoining buildings, it
was the subject of contemporary critical acclaim and the first G.J. Coles Store in Bourke Street.'
Title:
G J Coles & Co.Store, later Deva House, 327-329 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
01/01/1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 101143
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
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:
Style: Neo GrecPeriod: Inter-WarConstruction Date: 1925Notable features/significance: Relates visually to 323 - 325 Bourke StASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYHistoryDevelopment either side of the Causeway has changed little, in terms of frontage, from when this site was occupied by the Renaissance revival Mechanics' Hotel, in the 1880s. Change in the vertical sense, occurred in 1924-5, when architect, Harry A. Norris' design for a nine-storey reinforced concrete building altered the south Bourke Street skyline as the Buckley & Nunn and earlier developments had already achieved on the north.Built for F.S. Meyers, the first occupiers were fancy goods retailers, G.J. Coles & Coy. Ltd. The consulting structuralengineer on the job was the appropriately named Clive S. Steele, the builder, W.J. Cooper, and the contract price,44,000 pounds.After Coles departed in 1930 to Store Number 12, further east in Bourke Street, the name, Deva House, was adopted and a more diverse tenancy ensued. Universal Shopping & Finance Co. Pty. Ltd., and Allingham's Cash Order Co., early forms of hire-purchase institutions; Beville's, then china, rings and crockery purveyors; and the smaller tenants, such as the Deva Sandwich Shop, V.F. Langsford, tailor; two hairdressers, plus the Venus School of Hairdressing, and Addiator & Co. of Australia, adding machine sellers.DescriptionThe Sydney periodical Building (12-6-1926) described the design as `attractive' and the new Coles' Store within it, moderately priced, given that 3d., 6d. and 12d. were the three basic rates for all goods. The elevation itself was proclaimed as, in fact, three elevations : a Roman Ionic Order pilastrade at the first and second levels, a similar Ionic Colonnade and pediment at the top three levels and, between, a plainly treated facade.`...The building looks massive for its size, and is well lighted. Two heavy cornices and a balconette on theseventh floor, prevent it from looking too high for its width, as so many modern street fronts do...(it) is a successand a credit to its designer.'Praise indeed, coming from a Sydney periodical not known for its charity to Melbourne architecture.Inside, the slim frontage precluded anything major. Two elevators, set in a paneled timber lobby with an adjoiningstair (with paneled dado), were the only embellishments.External IntegrityGenerally original on upper levels, shopfronts replaced.StreetscapePossesses a strong relationship with 323-325 Bourke Street (now obscured at ground level) and is contemporary with the two London Stores buildings (345-7, 349-57 Bourke Street) and the former Coles Building, (299-307 Bourke Street).SignificanceA distinctive application of the neo-Grec style to a tall thin elevation which relates strongly to adjoining buildings, itwas the subject of contemporary critical acclaim and the first G.J. Coles Store in Bourke Street.'NIGEL LEWIS DECEMBER 1976, HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF THE CENTRAL CITY OF MELBOURNE BOURKE STREET, EAST AREA 8 OF THE SURVEY COMMISSIONED BY THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL76, Page 24;47NAME: Deva House M30 L12ADDRESS: 327-329 Bourke StreetCONSTRUCTION DATE: 1925ARCHITECTS: H.A. NorrisBUILDER: W.E. CooperPROPRIETOR: F.S. MeyersFIRST OCCUPIER/USE: G.J. Coles & Co. storePREDOMINANT O/USE: Shop and officesCURRENT O/USE: do.MAIN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: Reinforced concreteINTACTNESS/CONDITION: Above awning - intactRECOMMENDATIONS: Not recommended for addition to the Historic Buildings Register but should be protected by the proposed planning controls for the Bourkc Street Environmental Area.Statement of Significance"When Melbourne was first laid out, an allotment at the corner of Bourke Street and Gray Lane was occupied at first by a one-storey wooden building. As time went on, conditions changed, and the land, which has 27 feet frontage by a depth of 155 ft., became the property of Mr, F. S. Meyers, who consulted with Architect H. A. Norris, with the result that the above attractive eight storey building was added Melbourne's street architecture work was carried out by Builder W. Cooper at a cost of £44,000, which strangely enough works out at ten guineas a square foot over the total area of the allotment. The building, which was finished last October, occupied by G. J. Coles and Co. 3d., 6d., and 1/- store, which implies that it will be a busy place. But attractive part to the building world the appearance of the front. It may summarised as two complete storeys below, with Roman Ionic columns cornice, two complete storeys at top, which may be described similarly, and four plain storeys in the middle. This description, though accurate, to describe an unusual appeal. As the design, the classic features are freely treated. The building looks massive for its size, and is well lighted. Two heavy cornices and a balconette on the seventh floor, prevent it from looking to high for its width, as many modern street fronts do. Anyway the front is a success and a credit to its designer."1RECOMMENDATION:The gateway effect at the entrance the Causeway produced by Deva House and the similar form of the Public Benefit Bootery building is a special feature of the Bourke Street Environmental Area. They are both cantilevered over the laneway and share awning over the entrance. The use appearance of the pedestrian link the city would be seriously eroded the loss of either building. This building should be protected under proposed planning controls.1. Building, June 12, 1926, illustration.NewspapersThe Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Saturday 4 April 1925 p 72 Article IllustratedMELBOURNE'S PROGRESS.NEW BUILDING FOR "THE ARGUS." PERPETUAL TRUSTEES. MYER'S. DEVA HOUSEThe Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Thu 9 Aug 1934 Page 20AMUSEMENT PARK IN CITYTo Cover Six Floors In Bourke StreetMelbourne will soon have an amusement park covering six floors of a city building in Bourke Street, opposite the Post Office. Deva House, 327-329 Bourke Street, has been leased for three months by Centenary Peoples' Fair, who will install plant valued at £15.000 on the various floors. A second lease, of the ground and first floors only, has been granted to Mr N. Solomon, a son of the founder of the Sydney crystal and high-grade crockery firm, as from the middle of November. Mr Solomon will carry on the same business in Deva House, and will make considerable alterations to the interior of the building. His lease is for seven years. Deva House was erected 10 years ago. and was the first city store of G. J. Coles and Co. Ltd.. who leased it for £10,000 n year. The amount for which the building has been leased to the two new firms has not been disclosed. The agent for both transactions was Mr Morris Saillmann, of Temple Court, 422 Collins Street.'
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Research and reports
Record number:
1180375
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 101143 | 1 PDF : 512 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |