Centenary Hall,104-110 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Centenary Hall,104-110 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103627
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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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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:STYLE: ModerneDATE: 1934-1935;ASSOCIATIONS:Victorian Protestant Hall Co. Ltd.State Rivers and Water Supply CommissionDESIGNER: Philp, Hugh & Bottoms, Geoffrey,.GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Arising from a 1933 competition for a new concert hall for the Victorian Protestant Hall Co. Ltd. , this six storey reinforced concrete building with basement, first floor public hall, rehearsal and lodge rooms, rooftop caretakers residence, and upper-level residential and offices was completed as `Centenary Hall' in 1935 to the design of prize winning architects, Hugh Philp and Geoffrey Bottoms. It replaced a highly decorative French Renaissance Revival Protestant Hall designed by WH Ellerker in 1881 which in turn replaced the first hall on the site, designed by Robert Meredith and built in 1847 on land purchased specifically for a Protestant Hall in 1846 for £162 by the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria. This site was dedicated in perpetuity as the site for a Protestant hall.The nationally prominent Presbyterian minister, Andrew Ramsay who had come to Melbourne 1847, was asked by Presbyterians to form a congregation in Melbourne 'unconnected with the state'. Initially he used Scots Church, Melbourne, but soon began his own services in Little Collins Street, later in the Temperance Hall, Russell Street, and at the end of 1848 in the Protestant Hall in Exhibition Street.During the life of the first hall the 23 year-old Prince Alfred, the second son of Queen Victoria, had been scheduled in 1867 to view the decorations on the Protestant Hall which showed William of Orange smiting the Catholic armies of King James, stirring up sectarian violence. The associated 'Free Public Banquet' there had been abandoned when a combination of hot weather and a rowdy crowd led to a public riot. The royal party had not helped, engaging in openly 'fast' behaviour, such as visiting the Stephen Street brothels, drinking and gambling.Initially planned to cost about £20 000 the new Centenary Hall was hoped to be completed before the Melbourne Centenary celebrations in 1934. The ground floor was to resemble a theatre with a large stage and seating accommodation for about 1200 persons There was to be two small halls and a supper room on the second floor, the company's offices on the third floor, the fourth floor with rooms suitable for professional tenants and on the fifth floor the lodge looms for the Loyal Orange Institution. Company directors were Councillor A E Kane, Dr C H Johnson, Messrs C Mayberry, H Waldbuck, J A Baker, A S Blake, and .A K Bradberry.`The Argus' updated these intentions reporting that now the new building was `expected to cost £30 000 and it would be raised to the limit of 132ft allowed by the City Council. On the first floor would be a hall with seating accommodation for 600 Administrative offices would occupy the second floor and lodge rooms would be provided on the third and fourth floors. A rehearsal room would be on the fifth floor. A modern façade with simple lines was a feature of the chosen design' . At the opening, the cost had risen to £40,000 when a memorial tablet was unveiled by the Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Institution (Dr C H Johnson). The building was declared open by the Rev W Albiston Past Grand Chaplain who delivered an address on Protestantism and the Next Century. A prayer of dedication was offered by the president of the Council of Churches (the Rev W J Harris)Once open, the hall was the venue for Christian revival meetings and a number of local and visiting speakers, with the boast that `This new hall in the centre of Melbourne, is beautifully apportioned, comfortably seated, and is kept at an even temperature summer or winter'. They cried: `Come and enjoy these Revival Services.'Moderne in style the two cemented street facades have multi-pane steel framed windows set in vertical recessed strips between fluted ribs, pressed cement grooves to spandrel panels, pylon motifs at either end of the two facades and, on the Exhibition St elevation, a podium or piano-nobile is implied by a change in fenestration and application of ornament. There is a projecting balconette at first floor level adorned with intricate pressed cement detail depicting the thistle and scrolls placed between grooved buttresses as continuation of the facade ribbing.Basement lights and the former showroom showcase window base underpin a new but neutral shopfronts facing Little Collins and Exhibition Streets with moulded bronze joinery still evident at ground level, particularly around the public hall entrance from Exhibition Street. Here there are two-coloured Buchan marble dadoes, lacquered timber entry door joinery with etched glass to top lights, door glazing and brass fittings. Coloured and patterned terrazzo is used for the foyer flooring using the Orange order star motif, and there is a cascading entry stair to the first level hall with streamlined metal balustrading.The building is an uncommon combination of uses (see also Kelvin Hall) and well preserved externally and in the public foyer: the interior should be assessed, particularly the public hall.How is it significant?Centenary Hall is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City ZoneWhy is it significant?Centenary Hall is of aesthetic significance as a good and well preserved example of the Moderne style which is uncommon among Capital City Zone buildings and, historically, as an unusual building type combining residential, clubrooms, offices and a meeting hall. Buildings of this type being also rare within the Capital City Zone. Centenary Hall gains further significance as developed on the site of two previous Protestant Halls, perpetuating a tradition commenced in the 1840s during the foundation of Melbourne itself. The hall has been the venue of many public events, particularly associated with Christianity and Protestantism in this City since the 1930s..RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneHistory and DescriptionThe Centenary Hall was designed as a concert hall, with construction being completed in April 1935 (1). It replaced the Protestant Hall that had formerly occupied the site at the south east corner of Exhibition Street and Lt Collins Street, The building was designed by H Philp and HG Bottoms of 239 Collins Street for the Victorian Protestant Hall Pty Ltd (2). Philp and Bottoms seem to have won the commission in competition but are otherwise little known (4). The building was initially occupied by a number of organisations affiliated with the Protestant Church including the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society and the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria'.As constructed, the six storey. building comprised a concert hall with offices above in an understated Modern style'. The building, particularly decorative at ground floor level with ornate entries located to either side of a large window onto the original foyer space. A decorative balcony at first floor level forms a canopy above the street, and the parapet is ornamented with Art Deco motifs.The building is generally intact to its early state, having retained many of its original ground floor door and window treatments, including some of its decorative etched glass. The only major change is to the central ground floor shopfront. The building survives in good condition.Statement of SignificanceThe former Centenary Hall is of aesthetic significance at a local level for its understated Moderne facade and of some architectural significance as an unusual building type combining offices and a meeting hall. Buildings of this type are rare within the Melbourne CBD..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites F.ST.CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS1934, 15198:shows hall, offices, apartments, amending plans.MCC i-Heritage:City of Melbourne i-Heritage:Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 Building Identification Form (BIF): : Description/Notable Features Notable features include an elaborate / high standard design of cement rendered surfaces. Alterations / Recommendations: Shopfronts altered ( sympathetic - no recommendations). Other Comments Interior recommended for inspection - renovated..Central Activities District Conservation Study 2000 cites:1 MCC building permit 151982 Ibid3 State Library of Victoria catalogues suggest that The Argus of 17 November 1935 carries an article describing the impending competition. This date appears inconsistent with MCC records Bottoms went on to work at the Public Works Department under Percy Everett and eventually rose to the position of Chief Architect.4 Sands & MacDougall, Directory of Victoria, 19355 Graeme Butler, CAD Conservation Study, Building Identification form, Former Centenary Hall, 1985.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Argus':Friday 17 November 1933`NEW CITY BUILDINGFor Protestant HallCompanyThe directors of the Victorian Protestant Hall Co Ltd have decided to replace the company s building at the corner of Little Collins street and Exhibition street with one of six stories to cost about £ 20 000 It is hoped to complete the building before the Centenary celebrations begin There will be a competition among architects for a design The ground floor will resemble a theatre with a large stage and seating accommodation for about 1200 persons There will also be two small halls and a supper room on the second floor The company's offices will be on the third floor The fourth floor will comprise looms suitable foe professional tenants and on the fifth floor will be lodge looms for the Loyal Orange InstitutionDirectors of the company are Councillor A E Kane, Dr C H Johnson, Messrs C Mayberry, H Waldbuck, J ABaker, A S Blake, and .A K Bradberry'.9 January 1934A design submitted by Messrs H G Bottoms and Hugh Philp for the new Centenary Hall which the Protestant Hall Co Ltd proposes to erect on the corner of Exhibition street and Little Collins street was selected by the directors of the company..'Tuesday 9 January 1934`PROTESTANT HALLTuesday 9 January 1934Centenary Building to be Erected at OnceHaving considered plans submitted in a competition for a new Centenary Hall the directors of the Protestant Hall Co Ltd have chosen a design prepared by Messrs H G Bottoms and Hugh Philp. Mr A K Bradburv one of the directors of the Protestant Hall Co Ltd said yesterday that the present building on the corner of Exhibition street and Little Collins street would be demolished almost immediately and the Centenary Hall would be ready for occupation by the end of September. The new building was expected to cost £30 000 and it would be raised to the limit of 132ft allowed by the City Council. On the first floor would be a hall with seating accommodation for 600 Administrative offices would occupy the second floor and lodge rooms would be provided on the third and fourth floors. A rehearsal room would be on the fifth floor. A modern façade with simple lines was a feature of the chosen design .'Saturday 19 January 1935THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH.IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.SPECIAL MISSIONARY WEEK-END.TWO SPECIAL SERVICES TO BE HELD IN THENEW CENTENARY HALL.110 Exhibition Street Melbourne(Known Formerly as the Protestant Hal). SUNDAY, at 3 p.m., SPECIAL ADDRESS, By PASTOR D. P. WILLIAMS (Wales)(President of the Apostolic International Council).SUNDAY, at 7 p.m., SPECIAL ADDRESS By PASTOR W. J. WILLIAMS (Wales).Both Completing a World Tour.Thursday 24 January 1935MR. J. ISHERWOOD, Psychologist, India and U.S.A., Thurs., 24th, 3 and 8 p.m. Meeting, Hall, Nicholas Bldg., op. St. Paul's. 'Science of success,' with Illustrations. Sun., 27th, 3rd floor, Centenary Hall, Exhibition st…Saturday 26 January 1935THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH AUSTRALIA,CENTENARY HALL.Exhibition Street. Melbourne,GREAT REVIVAL SERVICE,SUNDAY, AT 7 P.M.Subject: 'THROUOH THE NIGHT INTO THE LIGHT.'Speaker: PASTOR ALEX. GARDINER.Bring Your Friends to Hear This Stirring GospelAddress. The Sick and Infirm Will be Prayed for at Tills Service.OTHER SERVICES:SUNDAY, at 3 p.m.: COMMUNION.A JOURNEY WITH ABRAHAM.'This new hall in the centre of Melbourne Is beautifully apportioned, comfortably seated, and Is kept at an even temperature summer or winter. Come and enjoy these Revival Services.'16 April 1935CENTENARY HALLOpening; of £40,000 Building;Built on land purchased in 1846 for £162 by the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria and dedicated in perpetuity as the site for a Protestant hall the Centenary Hall erected last year at a cost of £ 40 000 was opened last night It is at the corner of Exhibition and Little Collins streets. A memorial tablet was unveiled by the Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Institution (Dr C H Johnson) and the building was declared open by the Rev W Albiston Past Grand Chaplain who delivered an address on Protestantism and the Next Century A prayer of dedication was offered by the president of the council of Churches (the Rev W J Harris)The building is of five stories and a basement and It contains a recreation hall, concert hall, lodge rooms offices and two floors of residential chambers.'Saturday 13 April 1935`…The land on which the (new) building stands was purchased for a Protestant Hall in 1846..'.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEXHugh Philp...designed new dormitory for the Try Society's Farm for Boys at Melrose.Age 13.12.1938 in Royal Victorian Institute of Architects press cuttings (SLV), 1938-9H.J. Little & H.G. Bottoms, 239 Collins St.Home nearing completion at Los Angeles Court, St. Kilda. Article.Age 15.6.1933 in Royal Victorian Institute of Architects press cuttings (State Library of Victoria collection:) 1933-4Protestant Hall:Tenders wanted - putting infoundation of the Protestant Hall & School Room, cnr. Stephen & Little Collins Sts.Argus 26.2.1847 p 2Opening of the Protestant Hall.Argus 25.4.1848 p 2The old Protestant Hall and school-room, which was built in 1847 at Exhibition and Lt. Collins St., is demolished. The foundation stone was laid on 5.4.1847 and the archt. for the building was Robert Meredith.1882 New building being erected.Argus 31.1.1882, p 5W.H. Ellerker & Co.Tenders wanted for erection of Protestant Hall, Exhibition St., Melbourne.Argus 15.11.1881, p 3W.H. Ellerker & Co's winningdesign for a new Protestant Hall at cnr. Exhibition & Lt. Collins St. is now under construction. Designed in style most suited to hot climate, Italian. Lower windows are circular headed, relieved by pilasters between and insticated (sic) basement.Upper floor windows are square pediment headed, with trusses and enriched panels.They are divided by. Corinthian pilasters, the whole surmounted by large modillioned cornice and balustrade. At the corner of the 2 streets ,is a 70 foot high tower with a mansard roof, and square platform enriched by cast iron railing.Brief description of internal layout.Argus 31.1.1882, p 5The foundation stone of the new Protestant Hall, Exhibition St., will be laid today by Rev Dr Gilchrist.Argus 4.2.1882, p 9Terry and Oakden.Tenders wanted for alterations to Protestant Hall, Exhibition Street.Argus 19.3.1887, p 7Competition planned for new concert hall forthe Victorian Protestant Hall Co. Ltd.at S.E. corner of Exhibition & Lt.Collins St.Age 17.11.1933 in Royal Victorian Institute of Architects press cuttings (SLV) 1933-4.Madeleine Say in the La Trobe Journal, The, Spring, 2007`During the royal visit in 1867 by the 23 year-old Prince Alfred, the second son of Queen Victoria, decorations on the Protestant Hall, showing William of Orange smiting the Catholic armies of King James, stirred sectarian violence; and the 'Free Public Banquet' was abandoned when a combination of hot weather and a rowdy crowd led to a public riot.The royal party also did not help either, engaging in openly 'fast' behaviour, such as visiting the Stephen Street brothels, drinking and gambling'.F. Maxwell Bradshaw, 'Ramsay, Andrew Mitchell (1809 - 1869)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, Melbourne University Press, 1976, p. 3.`Ramsay reached Melbourne in the Anne Milne on 4 January 1847 with his wife and two children, a son having died on the voyage. Within a month a meeting of Presbyterians asked Ramsay to form a congregation in Melbourne 'unconnected with the state'. He supplied the pulpit of the Scots Church, Melbourne, from March to May but soon began his own services in Little Collins Street, later in the Temperance Hall, Russell Street, and at the end of 1848 in the Protestant Hall in Exhibition Street.'.DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1939- list of occupiers including Protestant Alliance & Friendly Socy1944-5 100-110 Red Cross Service Club- American1950 100-110 State Rivers and Water Supply Commission1955,D1961 96--110 State Rivers and Water Supply Commission
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
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| Original | 103627 | 1 JPEG : 693 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |