Melbourne Sports Depot, later Sports Depot Chambers, and Friendly Societies House, 55-57 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Melbourne Sports Depot, later Sports Depot Chambers, and Friendly Societies House, 55-57 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103174
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
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:
Period: Edwardian, Inter-warConstruction dates: 1902, 1925ASSOCIATIONS: Dodge, F.J..ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYHistoryClements Langford, the prolific Richmond builder, applied to the Melbourne City Council in January, 1902, to erect a `warehouse,' the design of the equally prolific architect, Nahum Barnet. This was the first stage of the Melbourne Sports Depot, the owner being Fred Dodge. Elizabeth Street, it seemed, was Barnet's domain in this era, his commissions including Paton's Building, Altson's Building (corner Elizabeth and Collins) and the London Hotel.Dodge's existing Sports Depot was also in Elizabeth Street (92-94) and has since been redeveloped as the Beehive Building (1935) . Like most of Melbourne's Edwardian retailers, Dodge was first an importer `...every description of material for outdoor and indoor sports and games...guns, rifles, saloon rifles, revolvers, air guns, cartridges, sporting powder and, of course, footballs `and all accessories,' lawn tennis, golf (cleeks, putters, drivers, irons), bowls (including Taylor's), lacrosse, polo, baseball, gymnastics and fencing, boxing, and the bicycle brands `Sterling,' `Rover' and `M.S.D.' They also offered cutlery, pocket flasks and cups for these summertime sporting picnics. Only one other large Melbourne firm specialized solely in sporting goods (Victorian Cricketing & Sports Co.). Others sold hardware and sports as a sideline.In its original form, the depot had two upper levels under a typically Barnet highly ornamented, scrolled parapet (demolished with the extension). An iron verandah (demolished), with central arch and duplex posts, served as the decorative base for the ornate elevation above . Another missing element is the cupola which once crowned the upper oriel window. Inside, the structure consisted of primary and secondary rolled steel joists, universal columns and a tiled ground level. Timber flooring prevailed above, with concrete used in the basement. Timber slatted staircases linked all levels.Once the three upper levels were added, the name became Sports Depot Chambers, with a long list of tenants. F. Brunnings, Pty. Ltd., seed suppliers, was the major one although F. Pembroke's Cash Order company was prominent in directories. Others were agents (estate or manufacturing), an optician and a tailor. Of course, the sports depot maintained its tenancy.DescriptionA cement and brick facade, built in two stages, the lower Edwardian stage being highly ornamented with Romanesque revival motifs, tall-arched fenestration and an impressive oriel window bay, and the upper level of three stories consisting of austere tall-arched motifs which, nevertheless, relate to the ground level. Upper level windows are in the form of metal-framed glazed walls which open on to balconettes. Lower level windows are typically timber-framed, multi-pane sashes. Details on the first and second levels include heavily embossed spandrels to the main arches, deep bas-relief foliated spandrels at the second and third floor level and ornamental cornice, semi-circular piers and foliated capitals.External Integrity(Given the added upper floors), brick work to lower level has been painted, lower level windows appear to have been replaced, albeit sympathetically, the entire ground level has been also replaced.StreetscapeSupports the notable 59 Elizabeth Street, with period detail and scale.SignificanceNow a much altered remnant of Melbourne's foremost Edwardian Sports Depot, but it possesses some notable decorative elements and contributes to a streetscape..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites Keith & John R Reid, 1976, CBD STUDY AREA 7, page 229- N Barnet architect 1902 as 3 storeys, 1925 3 floors added see C Langford image Melbourne University Archives 232- `Retention of façade desirable'.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEXRecord 75203 Barnet, Nahum; Dodge, F Melbourne VIC Warehouses Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd 1902 01 3 8508, MCC registration no 8508 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.10.0 warehouse.CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONShttps://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/60672/images/44777_349573-00005Index:1923 Aug 5451 ₤12,000 alts and additions to the Melb Sports Depot1924 Feb. erection of shopfrontSept. erection of name tablet etc..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Thursday 1 May 1902 - Page 5https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9086576MELBOURNE SPORTS DEPOT.New premises have just been opened it Nos 55-57 Elizabeth street for the Melbourne Sports Depot The ground and first floors are devoted to the display of sporting material, and the fittings are all of kauri pine. A capacious basement has been constructed for the reception of bulk stock, and the top floor is devoted to the repairing department and workshopAll the floors, are connected by a lift and capacious staircases, while communication is made by private telephones on each Hook Mr Nahum Barnet was the architect, Mr Clements Langford the builder, and the work was carried out under the general supervision of the proprietor (Mr F J Dodge )see also https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65670920 detailed; 1908 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222983639.
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1203969
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103174 | 1 PDF : 1,172 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |