Kurrajong House, 175-177 Collins Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Kurrajong House, 175-177 Collins Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 102075
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:
Style: Neo-GrecianPeriod: Inter-WarConstruction date: 1926-1927Architects: R.M. & M.H. King.ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryKurrajong House was designed by R. M. & M. H. King in 1926 for the Tait Brothers (John and Nevin). The Taits were two of a notable theatrical family, who began their individual careers when their father, JohnTurnbull Tait, (a tailor), arrived in Melbourne from Castlemaine, in 1880.John Henry Tait and James Nevin Tait obtained clerical positions at first, but soon were organizing gramophone concerts and exhibiting travel films. Their film, `The Kelly Gang' of 1905, gained them national renown as Amalgamated Pictures Ltd. and many overseas artists were brought to Australia with the aid of new company member, Frank Tait, as the extension of their business (Clara Butt, Yehudi Menuhin, Pavlova).A common thread to the Taits' amalgamation with J. C. Williamson Ltd. in 1920 was their younger brother, Edward, who had worked with J.C.W. since 1916. The Taits entrepreneured 3LO in 1924, as a response to Melbourne's first radio station (3AR), using the medium to broadcast the company's theatrical productions.The building's tenants, however, did not reflect the theatrical interests of its owners. There was the average selection of dentists, costumieres, milliners, photographers and hairdressers. The Commonwealth Development and Migration Commission was one of the few non-commercial occupants in the 1930s. The 1940s was a different affair. There was, for a start, the fabulous Milky Way milk bar and the `Australian Women's Weekly' offices. More important sounding groups and societies emerged, like the LOCAL OPTION ALLIANCE (VICTORIA), the Australian Institute of International Affairs, THE PROHIBITION LEAGUE (VICTORIAN) and Consolidated Press. There was also the League of Nations Union, the International Club of Victoria and the Victorian Optical Association. From these temporal heights, the `Posture' Corset Salon and a few masseurs and herbalists served the more physical side of Melbourne life.DescriptionKurrajong House, an eight-storey elevation in the neo-Grec manner, with a generally austere cemented finish, but with bold cast cement brackets and mouldings at the first and uppermost storeys. A bayed facade, the elevation is divided into three parts, the central section being bracketed at first floor-level and the side elements commenced by balconies with saltire-cross iron balustrading and terminated at the top level by a perforated parapet (guilloche pattern) and a barley-sheath frieze. A balconette adorned with a key-pattern frieze also underscores the upper termination of the building on both the central and side facade elements. At the very top there is a stylized raised entablature, flanked by wrought iron balustrading, which has the effect of a grand balcony, overseeing Collins Street below. The ground level canopy fascia appears generally original and some of the embossed metal soffit remains. The facade is painted a sympathetic colour.External IntegrityThe ground level has been totally refaced. The ground level canopy soffit has been almost totally replaced and the upper level glazing appears to have been renewed.StreetscapeRelates closely to Chartres House and the T. & G. Building on the corner and less so to the former Auditorium Buildingbetween.SignificanceArchitecturally a stylized and stylish exercise in Georgian revival, erected between two theatres for Australia's foremost theatrical family company, also contributes to a notable commercial streetscape..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDY:BUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites Source 78,378, 78A John & Phyllis Murphy Pty. Ltd. Architects. Historic buildings study of part of the C.B.D. Melbourne. (part 1) 1976Report to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council covering the area bounded by Little Collins, Flinders, Spring and Elizabeth Sts.HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSAn office building constructed in 1926-27, Kurrajong House is one of a number of early 20th century buildings in the block between Swanston and Russell Streets that complement the Regent and former Auditorium Theatres and indicate the beginnings of the modern architectural movement in Melbourne..VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTERNational Trust of Australia (Vic) B6558Statement of SignificanceAn office building constructed in 1926-27, Kurrajong House is one of a number of early 20th century buildings in the block between Swanston and Russell Streets that complement the Regent and former Auditorium Theatres and indicate the beginnings of the modern architectural movement in Melbourne.Classified: 06/06/1994.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Wednesday 11 October 1944 - Page 2https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11364991CITY BUILDING AS CHURCH CENTREMethodists Buy Kurrajong HouseAt a price said to be about £100,000, the Methodist Church of Victoria has purchased Kurrajong House, 175-7 Collins st, on the south side between Swanston and Russell st. The land has a frontage of 40ft to Collins st and is covered by an eight-storey building. At the 1943 Conference the matter of obtaining suitable accommodation in the- city for various activities of the Church was referred to the conference standing committee, which was given power to rent or purchase a suitable property. It is proposed to group in Kurrajong House the several offices of the different activities of the Church now distributed over the city. A social centre will also be developed, where meetings and functions can be held. The first floor of the building, now used as an Inter-church Club for Servicewomen, will probably be used for this purpose after the war. The women's, organisations of the Church hope to establish a tearoom in the building. The Methodist Church owns Book Buildings, 288 Little Collins st, but' it is so fully occupied it is impossible to find space in it for Church meetings. There is also so much local demand on accommodation at Wesley Church that it is becoming difficult to arrange meetings there. It is understood that the annual conferences will be held, as usual, in Nicholas Hall, adjoining Wesley Church. It is stated that the property is being purchased by the Church from money in reserve funds. There will be no appeal to church members for finance.
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Research and reports
Record number:
1192743
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 102075 | 1 PDF : 1,168 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |