Marks' warehouses, 23-31 Niagara Lane, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Marks' warehouses, 23-31 Niagara Lane, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 106913 106914 106915 106916
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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 2022:__________________________________________________DATE: 1886-7;ASSOCIATIONS: Marks, Henry and Mrs M?;DESIGNER: Evans, George De Lacy;BUILDER: Sinclair, DanielPeriod: Victorian.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER HO473https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/788Statement of SignificanceWhat is significant?These four identical two storey warehouses were constructed in 1887 for Henry Marks by builder Daniel Sinclair, to the design of architect George De Lacy Evans. The warehouses are constructed with load-bearing brick walls, with Northcote and Preston white facing bricks laid in bands and arches, cream Oamaru stone dressings and Newport bluestone sills. The first floor openings to the main facade are segmental arches, the second storey round arched. In the Queen Anne Revival style, the parapeted gable ends are topped with finials. Internally the floors are of Tasmanian Ironbark. The ceilings are timber-boarded and the floor to ceiling heights are seven metres. The buildings still retain their American barrel hoists. The lowest floor is a semi-basement, which allowed the ground floor to be at wagon tray level.How is it significant?The warehouses at 23-31 Niagara Lane are of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The warehouses at 23-31 Niagara Lane are historically significant as an example of a rare surviving warehouse building type once common in the city. The survival of original barrel hoists is highly unusual and clearly demonstrate the original function of the building.The warehouses at 23-31 Niagara Lane are architecturally significant as an unusual composition drawing on elements of the Queen Anne Revival style and the more common Romanesque style which was traditionally favoured for warehouses. The detailed intricacy of the decorative facade, incorporating bi-chromatic brickwork, belies the original prosaic function of the building..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 80__________________________________________________REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7 (source 80)BUILT: 1887Architect: Mr. G. De Lacy EvansBuilder: Daniel SinclairCLERK OF WORKS: Bartley DinsmoreDescription: A group of four three-storey warehouses built for .Mrs. M. Marks. Three are still used as stores, the fourth contains an architect's office.ALTERATIONS: The group is in extremely original and intact condition. Even the hoists still operate.CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS: load bearing brick walls. Timber floors.CITYSCAPE RELATIONSHIP: These four stores are a unique group and of great importance as an isolated building.Their appreciation is enhanced by their setting, in particular the vast warehouse wall on the opposite side of the lane.RECOMMENDATION:Retention of the whole building is essential.DESCRIPTIONThe new buildings were described at the time (3) (17th September 1887 po 302) as four three-storey stores for storage and business for Mrs. M. Marks. Separate entry is provided to each store for goods and general business. Each store has an American barrel hoist. The basement floors have Forbes Patent Compo pavement and the upper floors are lined with 4" x 7/8" Tasmanian ironbark boarding. Conveniences are provided at the rear. The bricks are Northcote and Preston White machine facing bricks Stone work is Cream Oamaru with Newport bluestone sillsCurrently the buildings are in extremely good structural condition, although some of the detailing on the upper sections of the front facades may require stabilization. Some water penetration is occurring in the basements. This is fairly easily rectified. The timber floor joists are 250 x 75 beams spanning the clear width of each store with herringbone strutting between. Ceilings are timber boarded and on the top floor follow the rake of the rafters at the sides to the level of the collar ties. The floor to ceiling heights are a vast seven metresRECOMMENDATIONRetention of the whole of the four Niagara Lane warehouses is essential, as is the wall across the lane from Lonsdale Street to just south of the warehouses. Redevelopment· of the southern end of the lane should be rigidly controlled in terms of scale, materials and form.__________________________________________________LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Record 76326 Evans, George de Lacey; Marks, H Melbourne VIC Warehouses Sinclair, Daniel - 89 Queensberry St Hotham 1886 08 24 2370 MCC registration no 2370 [Burchett Index]. Fee 8.8.0four warehouses Lonsdale near off Lonsdale - Niagara Lane___________________________________________________HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSSTATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEA group of four three-storey warehouses built in 1887 to a design byarchitect George De Lacy Evans. Showing the same characteristics asother warehouses in the vicinity but with greater architecturaldistinction, the buildings are largely intact and predominantly, still insimilar uses for which they were built_________________________________________________VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-1285SOURCE: FINDINGS OF THE COUNCIL:THE BUILDINGS KNOWN AS WAREHOUSES, 23-31 NIAGARA LANE, MELBOURNE WERE BUILT IN 1887 TO A DESIGN BY ARCHITECT, MR G. DELACY EVANS BY BUILDER DANIEL SINCLAIR. THE CLIENT WAS MRS M.MARKS, A SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTY HOLDER IN MELBOURNE AT THE TIME. THE BUILDINGS RECEIVED SOME PRESS ATTENTION AT THE TIME OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION AND THE PRESS WAS ANXIOUS TO POINT OUT THAT SEPARATE ENTRIES PROVIDED TWO EACH OF THE FOUR STORES FOR GOODS AND GENERAL BUSINESS THAT EACH OF THE STORES HAS AN AMERICAN BARREL HOIST AND THAT THE BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED FROM NORTHCOTE AND PRESTON WHITE MACHINE FACED BRICKS WITH CREAM OAMARU SANDSTONE AND NEWPORT BLUESTONE DRESSINGS.THE BUILDINGS ARE OF A NOTABLE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND INCLUDE DISTINCTIVE DETAILINGS SUCH AS THE ROW OF GABLES, THE HOIST, AND THEIR CANOPIES AND WEIGHTS, THE ROUND HEADED ELIPTICAL DOOR AND WINDOW HEADS AND THE LOADING DOCKS. ON A COMPARATIVE BASIS THEY ARE ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING INTACT GROUPS OF SUCH WAREHOUSES IN THE CITY. OTHERS EXISTED IN POST OFFICE PLACE (NOW DEMOLISHED) AND IN HARDWARE STREET. CONSEQUENTLY THESE FOUR EXAMPLES ARE SEEN TO BE OF PRIME ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE ON A STATE WIDE BASIS.__________________________________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTERPhysical Description 113/08/2001Date Started 1887; Date Finished …WAREHOUSE;Floors are of Tasmanian ironbark, 4' x 7/8'. Ground floor is Forbes' Patent Combo Pavement.These four identical two storey warehouses were constructed in 1887 for Henry Marks by builder Daniel Sinclair, to the design of architect George De Lacy Evans. The warehouses are constructed with load-bearing brick walls, with Northcote and Preston white facing bricks laid in bands and arches, cream Oamaru stone dressings and Newport bluestone sills. The first floor openings to the main facade are segmental arches, the second storey round arched. In the Queen Anne Revival style, the parapeted gable ends are topped with finials. Internally the floors are of Tasmanian Ironbark. The ceilings are timber-boarded and the floor to ceiling heights are seven metres. The buildings still retain their American barrel hoists. The lowest floor is a semi-basement, which allowed the ground floor to be at wagon tray level.__________________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1886The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Fri 23 Jul 1886 Page 2 AdvertisingTENDERSAre InvitedFor ERECTION and completion ofFOUR THREE. STORIED STORESIn Niagara lane,off Lonsdale street westFor Mrs M MARKSDrawings and specifications at the offices of the undersigned,G DE LACY EVANSArchitect 22 Collins street east1989https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111967962Henry Marks & Company's Furniture warehouse ...1934https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243319145Sir Henry MarksA knight, who was born in a house opposite the Elizabeth Street Post .Office more than 73 years ago, arrived at Melbourne today in the liner Monowai. He is Sir Henry Marks, who is known m Fiji as "the uncrowned king," and he has come to Melbourne to visit friends and to receive medical treatment Sir Henry went to Scotch College, and at the age of 20 went to Fiji to seek his fortune. Within three years he had achieved success and he returned to Melbourne to be married. He founded the Arm of Henry Marks and Co., and is now a director of Morris, Hedstrom Ltd. and other concerns. For many years he was Warden of Fiji and also Commissioner for Currency. He served in the Legislative Council for 23 years and was a member of the Executive Council for eight years. During the War he marked his keen interest in military volunteer work by equipping and despatching, at his own expense, a contingent of 100 Fijians for service. He was Mayor of Suva in 1926-27.Sir Henry Is accompanied on this visit by Lady Marks.1938https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11156020OBITUARYSir Henry MarksSir Henry Marks died at Suva, Fiji, on Saturday at the age of 77 years. He went to Fiji 55 years ago, and founded the firm of Henry Marks and Co., general merchants Sir Henry Marks was born in Melbourne and was educated at Scotch College. He was Mayor of Suva for many years, and was elected a member of the Fiji Legislative Assembly seven times. He was chairman of directors of the Pacific Insurance Co., and of Sturt, Ogilvie, and Co. Ltd Sir Henry Marks sent a contingent of Fijians to the Great War at his own expense. He leaves two sons and four daughters living abroad. Lady Marks died last year.
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 106913 106914 106915 106916 | 1 PDF : 771 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |