McPherson's Building, 546-566 Collins Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
McPherson's Building, 546-566 Collins Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 102113
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:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2024:__________________________________________________DATE: 1934-7;ASSOCIATIONS: McPhersons P/L;DESIGNER: Calder, Stuart P and Reid & Pearson in associationStyle: Streamlined ModernePeriod: Inter-WarNotable features: 1. Terracotta facing "vitrolite" black glass facing, stainless steel shop front. 2. Base on German shop___________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0942https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/741Statement of Significance'What is significant?The Former McPherson's Building was designed by Stuart P. Calder, and Reid and Pearson (architects in conjunction), and built in 1935-6, as a warehouse, office and showroom for the hardware empire headed by Sir William McPherson. It is a four storey (plus basement) reinforced concrete structure with a column-free facade featuring alternating broad horizontal bands of glazing (originally Vitrolite) and light brown faience along the full 160 feet of its length. The horizontal emphasis is punctuated by a stair tower at the western end, which projects above the roof line to give access to the flat roof which originally had a tennis court.How is it significant?The Former McPherson's Building is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The Former McPherson's Building is of architectural significance as an extraordinary example of the streamlined moderne style in Melbourne, helping to introduce a whole new style of architectural expression in this city. This style was derived from European architecture of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly the Bauhaus School, and emphasised clean lines, functionalism and a detachment from previous styles. These characteristics are easily recognised in the streamlined horizontal banding, large glassed areas of the facade, and choice of building materials of the Former McPherson's Building, which has been likened to Erich Mendelsohn's Schocken Department Store of 1927 in Stuttgart. These materials: glass, stainless steel, faience and concrete, reflected an interest in more dynamic materials and a move away from traditional, stultifying wood and plaster and brick and render construction techniques, and constitute a major and innovative use of such materials in Melbourne. Of particular note was the employment of reinforced concrete to achieve an uncluttered, column-free facade. The emphasis on functionalism was translated into the idea of architectural design as integral to merchandising. The striking facade, with its highly visible display areas, reflected the need to catch the eye of passing motorists, as well as pedestrians. The early years of the automobile age were also manifested in the large expanses of glass, which drew on car showroom architecture and were a substantial improvement for retailers on the classical designs that were still popular for inner city buildings into the 1930s.The Former McPherson's Building is of historical significance because it reflects the growth and diversification of secondary industry in Victoria under the stimulus of population growth, growing credit sources and tariff protection after WW1. The McPherson company was a direct beneficiary of tariff protection, which enabled it to produce manufactured goods without crushing competition from more established industrial nations. The modern, radical style of its new building reflected its dynamic prospects, being erected at perhaps the peak of the company's expansion, not long after the opening of its Perth branch in 1930 gave it a presence in four Australian capital cities.The Former McPherson's Building is of historical significance for its associations with the company that built it. McPherson's was a prominent manufacturer of hardware in Victoria, and its governing director, William McPherson, was an important figure in political and economic affairs, being premier and treasurer of the State in 1928-9. The Emily McPherson College is another substantial Melbourne building bearing the McPherson name.___________________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites 20thC Register___________________________BUILDING IDEAS (CSR) March 196551 McPherson's Pty. Ltd. 546 Collins Street, 1935 Reid and Pearson in conjunction with Stuart Calder In 1947 Robin Boyd in "Victorian Modern" wrote of this building:"McPherson's led the horizontal swing, but there is more to it than horizontality. Its character lifts it above the followers, and above the applied lines of its own decoration. The form is not only structurally genuine, but has achieved a quality of depth so rare in the confined ranks of city building. In spite of the lavish finish, presumably not repeated on the sides that press against the neighbours, it is almost credible that this is not just a pasteboard facade propped from behind. This looks like the outside of a building. "The unbroken sweep of glass which expresses validly the interior is projected from columns set back some eight feet. The twin black glass fins would appear to be excusable signposts to the entrances between show windows. There is a pleasant feeling for terra-cotta in the little plastic twists to the bands. But nothing like this building could ever happen again. For the fashions that influenced many of such details belonged only to the 'thirties.' They will never again be used on a building of character."___________________________HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSSTATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEBuilt in 1936 as offices and showrooms for McPhersons Ltd, MachineryMerchants, this bUilding is one of the premier examples of the "modernmovement" in Melbourne. Designed by Stewart Calder and Reid and Pearsonin association, its streamlined appearance and use of Vitrified materialsmark it as architecturally important in the central city.___________________________ART DECO AND MODERNISMhttps://www.artdeco.org.au/2003/09/mcphersons-building-546-566-collins-street-melbournespring-2003/
Related material link:
546-566 Collins St Melbourne (Butler13173\\)546-566 Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler16413\\)546-566 Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler13592\\)546-566 Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler16412\\)546-566 Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler16414\\)McPhersons, 546-566 Collins Street, Melbourne (Butler16417\\)
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Research and reports
Record number:
1271043
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 102113 | 1 PDF : 5,937 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |