Eastern Arcade, later Clauscens and Co.(renovation), later Fletcher Jones (applied facade), 133 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme01/01/1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
The former Eastern Arcade, originally built in 1872 and converted into large shop floors in 1926, with a facade dating from 1894 designed by Hyndman & Bates.
Title:
Eastern Arcade, later Clauscens and Co.(renovation), later Fletcher Jones (applied facade), 133 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
01/01/1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 101118
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
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:
ASSOCIATED RESEARCH BY GRAEME BUTLER:See also 131-135 Bourke Street MelbourneFacade Period: Post-WarConstruction Date: 1872 as the Eastern Arcade, New facade 1894, major renovation 1926Victorian Heritage Database provides the following.National Trust of Australia (Vic) citation:Statement of SignificanceThe former Eastern Arcade, originally built in 1872 and converted into large shop floors in 1926, with a facade dating from 1894 designed by Hyndman & Bates, is of State significance for architectural and historical reasons.Architecturally, the facade is the best example of the 19th century Moghul style in Melbourne, an exotic architectural treatment that was used very rarely. The horse-shoe arcading of the first floor, the large pointed horse-shoe arch of the second floor verandah, and the delicate curvilinear patterned top frieze are the most notable features. The upper level of the Little Collins Street facade survives from the 1872 arcade, as does the general form of the building.Historically, the building was one of the grand arcades of Melbourne, with two levels of shops, stretching a whole city block. The site was previously occupied by the Haymarket theatre, a grand but short lived venue built in 1862 by the entrepreneurial George Coppin It burnt to the ground in 1871.Classified: 04/09/2000Demolished: June 2008 'Newspapers1888 Exhibition Clauscen exhibit.see https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6902004?searchTerm=Clauscen%20and%20Co.%20Bourke%20StThe Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 19 Jul 1890 Page 8 SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1890.(Fire at) Clauscen and Co furniture warehouse in Bourke street east It was caused by the accidental igniting of some curtains in one of the shop windows while the employee's were lighting up for the evening's display The warehouse was simply one huge room in which the furniture and crockery was arranged tor show, and with extraordinary rapidity the establishment was turned into a mass of flame. The brigades were summoned by the street fire alarm, and arrived promptly on the scene, but it seemed at first that they had little or no chance of saving anything, and that, if they succeeded in preventing the flames from spreading to the adjoining premises, it would be as much as could be expected of them. A capital pressure of water was available, and by resolute denting the flames were subdued when they were fiercest, and the shell of the building is still standingIt was an old fashioned place, familiar to old residents as Stanway's china shop, and still owned by the heirs of the late Mr Stanway After his death, which occurred about eight years ago, Messrs Clauscen and Co took possession of the building and transformed it into a furniture warehouse The building was insured for £3,000 and the contents, for £....The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.: 1861 - 1954) Fri 23 Jun 1893 Page 6 A MAMMOTH BUSINESS. A MAMMOTH BUSINESS. MESSRS GLAUSCEN AND CO., THE COMPLETE HOUSE FURNISHERS.A business which has grown in popular favor year by year until it has assumed mammoth proportions is that of Messrs Clauscen and Co. The opportunities afforded a discriminating public to obtain bargains in all kinds of household requisites are multitudinous not only at the central warehouse in Bourke street, City, but also the other conspicuous warehouses in Bridge road, Richmond, and at the corner of Brunswick and Gertrude streets, Fitzroy. In each of the premises of the firm it is easy to trace the progress of this particular business in Victoria, while there is everything to admire and nothing to condemn. To such perfection has the huge stock been brought that there is not wanting a single at tide required by persons furnishing. The public have not been slow to appreciate the efforts of the firm. While there has always been a preference for the more artistic goods which are so temptingly arranged on the upper flats, there has also been a continuous demand for the more homely articles of furniture systematically displayed In the other parts of the warehouses. Those who wish to make a thorough inspection may do so with a minimum of trouble. To ask Messrs Clauscen and Co how many homes they have furnished during their long career in Melbourne and suburbs would he to set them a problem. They could not toll approximately, the number is so considerable. The stock in each establishment is a combination of the artistic and the practical. During the hurry and bustle of every- day life some people are apt to miss opportunities, but in patronage accorded to Clauscen and Co. there is no miscarriage of opportunity. Experience has shown the value of the bargains secured, and the recurrence of custom is the very best criterion of the satisfaction of the buyers. These comments on this gigantic business are justified at the present juncture, because a thorough over- haul of the immense stock in each warehouse has just been undertaken to render lb a certainty that each is up to expectation, and the results have been eminently satisfactory. From the various beautiful drawing room suites in all manner of designs of material to the least important home requisite, each article has some special feature or merit of its own, and' the firm feel they are as strong in every department, as they could wish to be. Tho readiest way to get an idea of what the firm can supply is to inspect their stock. Such a course will open the eyes of people unacquainted with the resources of Clauscen and CoThe Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Sat 15 Dec 1894 Page 2TOPICS OF THE DAY. Auction of stock from the `assigned estate’ of Clauscen and Co., of 104, 106, And 108 Bourke street, no reserveThe Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Mon 11 Feb 1895 Page 2 TOPICS OF THE DAY.An interesting sensation has been opened to the public by Mr McMahon in the Bourke-street premises formerly occupied by Messrs Clauscen and Co. It is styled the Haunted Swing, and is pronounced by those who have seen it to be a very clever illusion. The swing is suspended in the centre of the room, and upon the visitor taking his seat it appears to move at first slowly, and then rapidly until it completes a perfect evolution. As a matter of fact the swing does not move, and yet the illusion of motion is most perfect. It will be open daily until 11 p.m.
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1179901
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 101118 | 1 PDF : 973 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |