Yarra Cottages, 599-615 Spencer Street, West Melbourne
Butler, Graeme10 Jan 1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Yarra Cottages, 599-615 Spencer Street, West Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
10 Jan 1985
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 111162
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
GRAEME BUTLER 1983, CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEGrading as at 1985 : DPeriod : Early Victorian (1867, 1878)Grantee : W Jones 1859, B Marks 1859HistoryThese row houses were built in two separate stages by and for Alexander Dick, who was a carpenter. Nos. 599 to 607 Spencer Street were built in 1867, with Alexander Dick himself living in No.599 for the first ten years, the other four houses were added in 1879 and were all leased, first by Alexander, then after 1890, by John Dick, an estate agent of Collins Street, and probably Alexander's son. The many tenants were transient, such as Hugh O'Brien, Thomas Hoare, William Bailey, James and Isabella Nicholls, to name but a few.DescriptionA parapeted, single storey row of nine coloured brick and stucco houses, possessing cast iron decorated verandahs and stuccoed, corniced chimneys. A segment arched entablature, flanked by urns on pinnacles, occupies the parapet centre.Integrity - What presumably were timber picket front fences have been replaced.Streetscape - An isolated, but long row creating in itself, a streetscape.SignificanceArchitecturally, of a common type but extensive in size and prominent in the street, of local importance. Historically, Alex Dick exemplifies the developer-builder who converts his builders yard to house lots, of local importance.Recommendations- Replace picket fence (arrow head or original), repaint trim with typical or original colours, consider zoning provisions to maintain original form and use.References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory; PA= CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION )1. RB 1867, 1985-8: RB 1879, 2775-82; RB 1896-97, 174-81; PA 2597 /18782. D. 18953. RB 1881 - 82, 2819; RB 1877, 2585___________________________GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES, 2015. WEST MELBOURNE HERITAGE REVIEWWhat is significant?These row houses were built in two separate stages, by and for Alexander Dick, who was a carpenter. The houses at 599 to 607 Spencer Street were built in 1867, with Alexander Dick himself living in 599 for the first ten years. The other four houses were added in 1879 on Dick's builder's yard adjoining and were all leased out, first by Alexander, then after 1890, by John Dick, an estate agent of Collins Street, and possibly Alexander's son.Contributory elements include:a parapeted, single storey row of nine coloured tuck-pointed brick and stucco houses;siting close to the street;cast iron decorated verandahs with concave profile corrugated iron clad roofs;stuccoed, corniced chimneys, cemented cornices and ornamented blocks;a segment arched entablature, flanked by urns on pinnacles at the parapet centre;double-hung sash windows;uncommon two-panel doors, with toplights; andcontribution to the area as an isolated, but long Victorian-era residential row creating in itself, a streetscape.Integrity is good despite the replacement of (presumed timber picket) front fences, some with cast-iron pickets on concrete plinths; also some new quarry tiles to the verandah to match what had existed (see 599, 607 Spencer Street); and some bricks painted over.How is it significant?Yarra Cottages are significant historically and aesthetically to West Melbourne.Why is it significant?Yarra Cottages are significant.Aesthetically, of a common row house type but extensive in size and prominent in the street; andHistorically, Alexander Dick exemplifies the West Melbourne developer-builder who converts his builders yard to house lots; representative of the start of a major growth period in West Melbourne..GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES, 2015. WEST MELBOURNE HERITAGE REVIEW RESEARCHNEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Argus': 9/8/1884`The half yearly meeting of the Melbourne Builders' Lime and Cement Company was held yesterday evening, at Phair's Hotel Mt Samuel Amess, who presided, moved the adoption of the balance sheet This was seconded by Mr. Kenneth Gunn and agreed to. Mr. Alexander Dick proposed, and Mr. James Moore seconded, the adoption of the directors' report, which was carried unanimously. The report stated that the business of the company had been exceedingly good during the last half-year, so that after paying a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, they could afford to divide a bonus of £1,500, the reserve fund standing at £3,000. On the motion of Mr. James Moore, seconded by Mr. Alexander Dick, the directors' remuneration was increased to £200 a year amongst them. Councillor Richardson moved, Mr. James Moore seconded, and it was resolved, to increase the salary of the manager, Mr. George Baker, by £50 a year.'___________________________Lewis, M. Australian Architecture Index:(`72656 Dick, Alexander - 158 Spencer St Dick, Alexander West Melbourne VIC City of Melbourne registration no 2443 [Burchett Index]. Fee 1.0.0 brick & wood workshop Spencer cnr Jeffcott 1868 02 12')`72801 Owner: Dick, Alexander - 158 Spencer St Builder: Dick, Alexander West Melbourne VIC City of Melbourne registration no 7597 [Burchett Index]. Fee 8.15.0 five 4-rm cottages 1878 04 27'.Sands & McDougall Directory of Victoria1893599 Mullery, Michael601 Kelly, Henry603 Gregory, Thomas605 Vacant607 Moore, John609 Cleary,-611 Ling, Frederick613 McCoy, Robert615 Nicholls, Mrs I.631 McVitty & Co, turbrmer633 Grant, William______________________________________________________Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Stephen Hatcher 2024https://www.melbournestreets.com.au/599-spencer-street/Lucas, William J. (house 599) Lucas, Joseph (house 599) Boss, Noel C. (house 599) Percy, Mrs Cath. (house 599) Larter, Alexander R. (house 599) Wilson, Sydney (house 599) Connolly, M. E. (house 599) Hewett, Joseph (house 599) Watt, Alexander (house 599) Robinson, Mrs (house 599)
Related material link:
Names:
Topics:
Places:
Form/Genre:
Record types:
Images, maps and artefacts
Record number:
1622523
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 111162 | 1 PDF : 770 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |