Sir Charles Hotham, 2-8 Spencer Street & 566-580 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Sir Charles Hotham, 2-8 Spencer Street & 566-580 Flinders Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
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BIF-CITY 103984
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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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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:Period: EdwardianConstruction date: 1913Architect: William PittNotable features: Notable ground level arches, joineryASSOCIATIONS: Hall, Jane;BUILDER: Langford, ClementsIMAGES:https://flic.kr/p/EuEyPAhttps://flic.kr/p/EwZ3op.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryFor a long period, and in different forms, the Charles Hotham Hotel has graced this corner. Gradually increasing room numbers, over the latter part of the 19th Century, belied the continuing three-storey brick form, which commanded frontages to Flinders and Spencer Streets, of 43 and 60 feet respectively, from the 1850's until 1912.Expanding to some 132 feet down Flinders Street, the new Charles Hotham rose to the design of the prolific William Pitt and from the efforts of builder, Clements Langford. An application to build was lodged in January, 1912, on behalf of the owner, Jane Hall, for a hotel and two shops. An early Licensee was I. G. Watson, continuing through the 1920's and 1930's.DescriptionConsidered in the context of Pitt's contemporary and commercial designs, (Victoria Brewery, Bryant & May, Match Factory), there is much in common with the Charles Hotham, despite the disparity of use. Some similarity also exists with his former partner, Charles D'Ebro's Gollin Building, Bourke Street, which also has a corner oriel and cupola, but no observation platform. Pitt's Hotel is arranged as a series of alternating vertical piers, fenestration strips and tall archways, which find a focus at the corner tower. At the first floor level, along the main Spencer Street elevation, the tower is replicated (in part) within each fenestration bay as oversize window bays protruding over the street. As if the archways of a Medieval city gate, the giant ground level openings span from pier to pier, balancing the minor oriels and window strips above at each keystone. Within each arch, a central doorway with a (Queen Anne) scrolled pediment above, provides an opening through the dado-like moulding (taken through at each arch centre-line) and rough stone plinth. Now obscured by various shades of paint, the juxta-positioning of these rugged natural finished concurs with the vigour of the design itself.Of the many notable Edwardian Freestyle or Baroque hotels and commercial buildings which utilize the corner tower motif, this is not the earliest, but perhaps the largest. Perhaps because of the importance of the hotel, and hence the excellence and solidity of its ground level design, the distinctive treatment at this level has survived, relatively unchanged, as a contrast to the many altered and initially more simple ground-levels of suburban examples. English examples include Townsend's 1896 design for the Whitechapel Art Gallery, the cement detailing (gum nuts) of this building deriving from similar Arts and Crafts inspiration.External IntegrityStone and brickwork painted, intrusive signs added, minor alterations to openings.StreetscapeCorner pivot to Edwardian Classical revival commercial streetscape in Flinders Street.SignificanceA large and successful corner hotel design in a Romanesque inspired Edwardian Freestyle, by the important architect, William Pitt, and a major part of a notable Edwardian commercial streetscape..GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?From 1855 the Charles Hotham Hotel, in different forms, has graced this corner. With increasing room numbers over the latter part of the 19th Century, the three-storey building commanded frontages to Flinders and Spencer Streets of 43 and 60 feet respectively.The new Sir Charles Hotham Hotel was built during the State's economic recovery after the 1890s Depression before construction was tempered yet again by World War One; it remains the largest hotel built in that period within the Capital City Zone. Expanding to a frontage of some 132 feet down Flinders Street, the Charles Hotham rose to the design of the prolific William Pitt and from the efforts of builder, Clements Langford. An application to build was lodged in January, 1912, on behalf of the owner, Jane Hall, for a hotel and two shops. Jane Hall appears to have been the widow and inheritor of the estate of pioneer Thomas Hall, of Airlie, Domain Road, South Yarra (Victorian Heritage Register).When erected the hotel was described as follows in the daily press:`….newly erected and one of the largest in this part o the City..' location commands the shipping trade, adjacent to wharves and Spencer Street Railway Station, Harbor trust offices and Railways Offices, fish market- proposed improvements to bring mail and other large freight right up to the City- all to benefit the hotel. Includes cellar, ground floor with large public bar, private bar, billiard room, four bar parlours and offices; three storeys and open flat on roof; first floor has large dining room, and services, drawing room, reading and smoking rooms, nine bedrooms with linen press, bathrooms and lavatory accommodation; second floor has private sitting and dining rooms, bedrooms servants bedrooms and facilities; third floor has 14 bedrooms, servants dining room, modern kitchen; cellar one of the largest and best in Melbourne; passenger and goods lifts, electric lighting. 'One of the first licensees, L. G. Watson, continued at the hotel through the inter-war period, followed in the 1950s by K G Watson.The architect, William Pitt, came to local prominence through his premiated design for the Melbourne Coffee Palace, in Bourke Street, Melbourne's first temperance hotel (1879). During the 1880s, Pitt's career boomed along with the Colony's economy. He redesigned the Princess Theatre in a French Second Empire style and collaborated with Ellerker & Kilburn to design the five hundred room Federal Coffee Palace in Collins Street. In the late 1880s, Pitt designed three distinguished Venetian Gothic office blocks in the west end of Collins Street, the Melbourne Stock Exchange, the Olderfleet building and the Rialto Building. After the crash of 1893, Pitt concentrated on theatre projects with work in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and New Zealand and on his career in Victorian State Parliament (1891-1910). In 1900, Pitt entered a partnership with Albion H Walkley which appears to have endured until Pitt's death c1918, but with partner each taking separate commissions such as this one. The design for the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel dates from the closing years of Pitt's association with Walkley and the building application was made in Pitt's name only.Considered in the context of Pitt's contemporary commercial designs, (Victoria Brewery, Bryant & May, Match Factory), there is much in common with the Charles Hotham, despite the disparity of use. Some similarity also exists with his former partner, Charles D'Ebro's significant Gollin Building, Bourke Street, which also has a corner oriel and cupola, but no observation platform.The composition of the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel centres upon a lofty corner entry element with three storey bay window rising to a prominent belvedere. Along each of the ground floor facades, large arched windows with radial rustication denote the hotel sections of the building while simpler recessed entries are used for the shop fronts along Flinders street. The shops are separated from the hotel by a gated carriageway to a yard at the rear.Pitt's street elevations are arranged as a series of alternating vertical piers, fenestration strips and tall archways, which find a focus at the corner tower. At the first floor level, along the main Spencer Street elevation, the tower is replicated (in part) within each fenestration bay as oversize window bays protruding over the street. Above the parapet is a terra-cotta tiled mansard roof, the tiles being a sign of the times, replacing the slate of Pitt's favoured late Victorian-era mansard roof forms.As if the archways of a Medieval City gateway, the giant ground level openings span from pier to pier, balancing the minor oriels and window strips above at each keystone. Within each arch, a central doorway with a Queen Anne style scrolled pediment above, provides an opening through the dado-like moulding (taken through at each arch centre-line) and rough stone plinth. Now obscured by various shades of paint, the juxta-positioning of these rugged natural finishes concurs with the vigour of the design itself. Arts and Crafts dado tiling and quarry floor tiling of entry hallways add to this character, along with remnant polished timber stair joinery.Of the many notable Edwardian Freestyle or Edwardian Baroque hotels and commercial buildings which utilize the corner tower motif, this is not the earliest, but perhaps the largest example. Perhaps because of the importance of the hotel, and hence the excellence and solidity of its ground level design, the distinctive treatment at this level has survived, relatively unchanged, as a contrast to the many altered and initially more simple ground-levels of suburban examples. English examples include Townsend's 1896 design for the Whitechapel Art Gallery, the cement detailing (gum nuts) of this building deriving from similar Arts and Crafts inspiration.Sir Charles Hotham Hotel acts as a corner pivot to an important Edwardian and late Victorian-era commercial streetscape in Flinders and Spencer Streets, including a number of former and existing hotels, a former bank and one former coffee tavern. The Victorian Railways administrative building on the opposite side of Spencer street gives focus to the positioning of these buildings beside a major transport hub, first by water and then by rail.The stone and brickwork have been painted, intrusive signs added, and minor alterations made to openings.How is it significant?The Sir Charles Hotham Hotel is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City Zone.Why is it significant?Sir Charles Hotham Hotel is significant architecturally as a large, well preserved and successful corner hotel design in the Edwardian Freestyle, by the important architect, William Pitt, and is a major part of a notable Edwardian and late Victorian-era commercial streetscape in both Flinders and Spencer Streets, consisting mainly of hotels.Historically, Sir Charles Hotham Hotel is significant for its location with other Edwardian-era and late Victorian-era hotels near the wharves and railway that served them, underscoring the major means of travel at that time. The new Sir Charles Hotham Hotel was built during the State's economic recovery after the Great Depression of the 1890s and remains the largest Edwardian-era hotel built within the Capital City Zone..RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneHistory and DescriptionThe Sir Charles Hotham Hotel, was built c.19131 as a four storey hotel plus two shops for Jane Hall 2. It was designed by noted Melbourne architect William Pitt towards the end of his distinguished career and constructed by Clement Langford. The new building replaced an earlier incarnation of the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel which had occupied the site since at least 1865 3.William Pitt came to local prominence through his premiated design for the Melbourne Coffee Palace, in Bourke Street, Melbourne's first temperance hotel (1879). During the 1880s, Pitt's career boomed along with the economy. He redesigned the Princess Theatre in a French Second Empire style and collaborated with Ellerker& Kilburn to design the five hundred room Federal Coffee Palace in Collins Street. In the late 1880s, Pitt designed three distinguished Venetian Gothic office blocks in the west end of Collins Street, the Melbourne Stock Exchange, theOlderfleet building and the Rialto Building. After the crash of 1893, Pitt concentrated on theatre projects with work in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and New Zealand and on his career in Victorian State Parliament (1891-1910). In 1900, Pitt entered a partnership with Albion H Walkley which appears to have endured until c.1916, just two years before Pitt's death.The design for the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel dates from the closing years of Pitt's association with Walkley. The hotel is designed in a highly ornate late Federation style in face brick and decorative render. The composition centres upon a lofty corner entry element with three storey bay window rising to a prominent belvedere. Along each of the facades, large arched windows with radial rustication on the ground floor denote the hotel sections of the building while simpler recessed entries are used for the shop fronts along Flinders street. The shops are separated from the hotel by a gated carriageway to a yard at the rear. The upper levels are finished predominantly in face brick with subtly modelled bays rising through the eaves to form decorative parapets above the roof line. Fenestration at the upper levels combines sliding sash windows with multi-paned top lights with larger and more ornate bow windows.The building has remained in use as a hotel from the time of its construction to the very recent past. In recent years it has experienced a period of neglect and recent investigations have demonstrated that the building is in need of some remedial works to arrest the decay of the building fabric 4. In addition, the building has been painted and a part of the ground floor has been refinished as part of a recent conversion of part of the hotel into a convenience store. Nonetheless, the building retains much of its early character and the site retains built elements and land-use patterns dating back to the time of its construction and it remains in fair and largely original condition.Statement of SignificanceThe Sir Charles Hotham Hotel is of aesthetic and historical significance at a local level as a fine example of a well-designed and well-constructed early twentieth century hotel within Melbourne's CBD. The design is attributed to noted Melbourne architect William Pitt.Footnotes:1 Wilson, CAD Study, 1984, p.144.2 Butler, CAD Conservation Study, 1985, Sir Charles Hotham Hotel.3 Sands and MacDougall, Directory of Victoria, 1865 notes the presence of the earlier hotel on the site4 RBA, Architects and Conservation Consultants, Heritage assessment, Sir Charles Hotham Hotel, Melbourne, October 1999, Prepared for City of Melbourne Heritage Fund, October 1999, p.2,.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites Lawrie Wilson & Associates, 1977. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Report on CBD Block No 6 Dec 1977, p144 ,.CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS1855, 7431912, 3156 (24/1/1912 hotel and 2 shops).VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-18501837 - garden area. 1855 - Sir Charles Hotham Hotel.1877 - 7 buildings; Sir Charles Hotham Hotel, Cleves Hotel, Butcher, ships Chandler.1888 - 9 buildings; Sir Charles Hotham Hotel, Lord Clyde Hotel, Bootmaker, Saddler, Clothiers, Free stores.1905 - 4 buildings; Sir Charles Hotham Hotel, Lord Clyde Hotel, 3 shops..MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVEShttp://hdl.handle.net/11343/70197Sir Charles Hotham Hotel was designed by W. Pitt, Architect and located at 574-580 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Built by master builders, Clements Langford Pty. Ltd in 1912..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Argus':Monday 10 August 1903Jane HallJUDICIAL AND LAW NOTICIES.NOTICE is hereby given, that after the expiration of fourteen days from the- publication hereof application will be made to the Supreme Court of the State of Victoria, in its Probate jurisdiction, that PROBATE of an exemplified copy of the WILL of THOMAS SKARRATT HALL, formerly of no. 1 Grosvenor crescent, in the county of Middlesex, in England, but late of 'Airl'e,' Domain load, South Yarra, in the state of Victoria, and of No. 10 Hill-street, Berkeley-square, in the said county of Middlesex, esquire, deceased (probate of which said will as on the 30th day- of June, 1903, granted by His Majesty's High Court of Justice, in England, to Jane Hall, of No. 15 Hill street, Berkeley-square aforesaid, (the widow of the said deceased, and one of the executors named in the said will may be granted to Walter Russell Hall, 'f 'Wlldf'Lang Lang Infant Welfare Centre ' Potts Point, Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Esquire, and Richard Gardiner Casey, of Shipley-house, Shipley-street, South Yarra, In the state of Victoria, esquire, the other executors named in the said will, leave being reserved to the said Jane Hall to come in and prove the said will If and when she shall think fit so to do.Dated this 8th day of August. 1903.BLAKE and RIGGALL, 120 William-street, Melbourne,Saturday 13 February 1904:report of Charles Hotham Hotel offered at auction along with other valuable city properties, most withdrawn to private sale.Saturday 28 April 1917Forged notes passed at Sir Charles Hotham bar.Saturday 19 February 1921Dugald Cameron, NSW squatter found dead in his room…Saturday 11 January 1913Lease 7 years tender for Charles Hotham Hotel:`newly erected and one of the largest in this part o the City..' location commands the shipping trade, adjacent to wharves and Spencer Street Railway Station, Harbor trust offices and Railways Offices, fish market- proposed improvements to bring mail and other large freight right up to the City- all to benefit the hotel.Includes cellar, ground floor with large public bar, private bar, billiard room, four bar parlours and offices; three storeys and open flat on roof; first floor has large dining room, and services, drawing room, reading and smoking rooms, nine bedrooms with linen press, bathrooms and lavatory accommodation; second floor has private sitting and dining rooms, bedrooms servants bedrooms and facilities; third floor has 14 bedrooms, servants dining room, modern kitchen; cellar one of the largest and best in Melbourne; passenger and goods lifts, electric lighting..VICTORIA HERITAGE DATABASEAIRLIE, 254-260 DOMAIN ROAD SOUTH YARRA, Melbourne City (1872-)Victorian Heritage Register (Victorian Heritage Register) Number H1619Heritage Overlay Number HO399Level of Significance Registered.LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Record 72680 Pitt, W; Hall, Jane Melbourne VIC Hotels; Shops Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Richmond 1912 01 24 3156, MCC registration no 3156 [Burchett Index]. Fee 8.10.0 hotel (Sir Charles Hotham) and two shops, Spencer cnr Flinders.(Pitt and Walkely)Walkley, A.H.New Premises for Patterson Shugg & Co., Burns Lane, Melbourne Bldr: McDonald R. Nov.19132 Sheets WD FAC.8 Melbourne University Architectural Collection, State Library of Victoria collection:Pitt, Wm. & Walkley, A.H.Brick Factory, Yarra St., Sth Yarra For Philip Joseph Esq.Bldr: Henry A. Eilenberg May.1918 1 Sheet WD FAC.18 Melbourne University Architectural Collection, State Library of Victoria collection:Walkley, A.H. 1917Proposed Additions, Alterations & Repairs, Commercial Hotel. Spring & Lonsdale Sts., Melbourne For Keeley Estate Bldr: Gamlin, H.J.2 Sheets WD HOT.8 Melbourne University Architectural Collection, State Library of Victoria collection:Pitt, Wm. & Walkley, A.H. 1922Red Lion Hotel Drummond & Neill Sts. Carlton Bldr: McLennan Bros4 Sheets WD HOT.1 Melbourne University Architectural Collection, State Library of Victoria collection:.DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL(1904 580 Flinders Street Sir Charles Hotham hotel—Patton, S. A.)1915 2-8 Spencer St Street Sir Charles Hotham hotel L G Watson(10 Charles Munro, tailor and hosier)1930 2-8 Spencer St Street Sir Charles Hotham hotel1935 2-8 Spencer St Street Sir Charles Hotham hotel1944-5 572-580 Flinders Street L G Watson1955 574-580 Flinders Street K G Watson
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103984 | 1 JPEG : 256 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |