Rolfe & Co. Ltd. warehouse, 300 King Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Rolfe & Co. Ltd. warehouse, 300 King Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105374
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 2021:__________________________________________________Period: Inter-War;DATE: 1923;ASSOCIATIONS: ROLFE & CO LTD;DESIGNER: Cowper. Murphy and Appleford.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM.CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWThe Wiltshire, 290-300 King Street 105374Identified in a previous heritage review (Central Activities District Conservation Study, 1985, Central City Heritage Review, 1993)Date of construction: 1923 Used as the PMG Parcels Office from 1948. Refurbished, subdivided and converted to apartments in 1999.Explanation for exclusion:Low integrity.Low architectural quality..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Wed 30 May 1923 Page 4 Real Property illusthttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/244024383Modern mechanical appliances which lighten labor are a feature of the new business premises which Messrs Rolfe and Co. Ltd. have erected at 300 King street. The cost of the land and building is about ₤50,000. The firm is now installed in its new premises, after having occupied the old site at 480 Bourke street since 1857.Designed by Messrs Cowper Murphy and Appleford, architects, the new building, as will be seen from the accompanying photograph, is a substantial structure of four; storeys. Provision has been made so that business may be carried on un interruptedly while, two additional; storeys are being added at a subsequent date. There are frontages to three streets.Reinforced concrete has been used throughout, to obtain a maximum floor area and a minimum fire risk.Speed in delivering and receiving (goods has been the aim of the architect. To secure this, a wood-blocked roadway 19 feet wide has -been de- ; signed to run right through the centre of the ground floor, two lorries can then enter or leave abreast. The lorries can also draw right up to the two goods lifts adjoining the road way. Goods from the packing room are conveyed by gravitation in two special chutes, and from the basement on a conveyor-belt.The general offices on the first floor which have been attractively finished with panelled partitions, counters and display stands, have also wood-blocked floors throughout. Cloak and lunch rooms, with water and gas j services have been provided for the comfort of the employes. The whole of the building has been designed and planned on up-to-date lines, the importance of ample light and ventilation being kept constantly in view.Mr Chris. A. Cowper has purchased the site of Messrs Rolfe and Coy's premises at 489 Bourke street, which had become too valuable to be devoted to ordinary business purposes. It is the intention of Mr Cowper, who recently built Chancery House, to extend that building right through to Bourke street, with a central corridor running right through the block. This will make a handsome addition to Bourke street and Increase its importance as a business thoroughfare..DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1915290-294 Spry, Mrs F.Hawke p1-296aVacant300a vacant300 Vacant1920Hawke p1-300 Stewart, Mrs Margt.302-308 Ward, Wm., & Co, produce mars1925ROLFE & CO LTDTels 1577, 2817 & 4988300 Merchants
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1211942
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105374 | 1 JPEG : 231 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |