J T Smith house, later Mental Health Authority Building, 294-308 Queen Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
J T Smith house, later Mental Health Authority Building, 294-308 Queen Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 108092
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
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 2022:__________________________________________________Period: Early VictorianDATE: 1859;ASSOCIATIONS: Smith, John Thomas;DESIGNER: Barry, J M;BUILDER: Austin, BResidence of Mayor of Melbourne J. T. Smith (1859-1862).Heritage VictoriaVHR Number: H806Last updated on - January 25, 2000Statement of SignificanceWhat is significant?The former residence at 300 Queen Street was designed in 1848 and built between 1849 and 1852 as a residence for J T Smith. Smith was a publican, theatrical entrepreneur and later Mayor of Melbourne. The architect was Charles Laing. 300 Queen Street is constructed of stuccoed brick on a bluestone base with quoined openings and a large fanlight over the main entrance. In 1858 a third storey and outbuildings were added to designs by architect David Ross. The building has a simple symmetrical form, hipped slate-clad roof, Georgian fenestration and austere detailing. 300 Queen Street was occupied by David Munro between 1879 and 1889. Munro was a successful railway contractor who later as a land speculator was bankrupted during the economic crash of the early 1890s.How is it significant?The former residence at 300 Queen Street is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The former residence at 300 Queen Street is historically significant as one of the oldest surviving houses in the central city area. It is significant for its associations with J T Smith, one of the earliest settlers in Melbourne, and who subsequently was Mayor of Melbourne seven times during the 1850s and 1860s. 300 Queen Street is also significant for its associations with David Munro, one of the largest employers in the State as a successful railway contractor during the 1870s and 1880s.The former residence at 300 Queen Street is architecturally significant as an excellent example of the survival of Georgian styling into the late 1840s and early 1850s. 300 Queen Street is a rare surviving example of the simple but elegant Georgian form. It is significant as a design by two of Melbourne's earliest architects, Charles Laing and David Ross. -See more at: http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/793#sthash.hjAhUSwl.dpuf.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 81, page 20;_________________________________________YUNCKEN FREEMAN ARCHITECTS P/L 1976.. HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 5 (source 81, 82)Mental Health Authority Building294 - 308 Queen StreetC 1856house (Original)Offices for the Mental Health Authority (Present)3 storey brick and stoneInternal features basically intact, exterior satisfactory. Built by John Thomas Smith, early Lord Mayor of Melbourne, 3rd floor added in 1859 . One of the few remaining symmetrical Georgian style town houses. environmental areaRegistration strongly recommendedDetail report to be completed._________________________________________NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)Statement of SignificanceThis building was originally erected in 1848-52 as a two-storey residence for J.T. Smith, a publican, theatrical entrepreneur and later Mayor of Melbourne (from 1859-62). The architect was Charles Laing. In 1850 it was described as a brick house with four rooms finished, and four rooms unfinished, kitchen and cellar. In 1858, a third storey and outbuildings were added; the architect was David Ross. The building was later used as government offices.As the oldest house surviving in the C.B.D., it is an outstanding and unique example of early Melbourne architecture with its simple symmetrical form, Georgian fenestration and austere detailing. The street facade with its grey stucco so common during those early times, is largely intact. Several original internal features including the staircase remain.Classified: 06/06/1958_________________________________________LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Only house for Smith in Queen StreetRecord 71491 Barry,-; Smith, John Thomas Melbourne VIC Houses Austin, B - McKillop St 1859 07 5 480 MCC registration no 480 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.0.0house, Queen_________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)House designer as cited from George Walton (17 January 1931). "Pioneer Architects". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 26, 342. Victoria, Australia. p. 7. Retrieved 21 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia. This is for another building south-west corner of Queen and Little Bourke streets..1931https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4249308`...It is unlikely that this censure very greatly perturbed Mr. Laing, for he wasconcerned just then in the erection in Queen street of an hotel and theatre for Mr. J. T. Smith, licensee of the Adelphi Hotel in Little Flinders street . The building was to be constructed on a scale hitherto unknown in the colony of stone and brick, with in auditorium 40ft. wide by 75ft. Long, capable of holding 800 persons. The site was the south-west corner of Queen and Little Bourke streets, and the hotel was annexed.
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1261380
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 108092 | 1 PDF : 1,278 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |