Tait's warehouse, later Reidy Building, 612 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Tait's warehouse, later Reidy Building, 612 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105719
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 2022:__________________________________________________Period: EdwardianConstruction date: 1911Notable features:1. Unusual parapet design/ keystone integration. 2. StoneArchitect: Charles L Rice;ASSOCIATIONS: Tait, Andrew;BUILDER: Tait, Andrew.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryAndrew Tait, seller of coachbuilder's ironmongery, moved from 568 Bourke Street in 1911 to these new warehouse premises. Designed by an unknown architect, Charles Rice, it was built, occupied and owned by Tait. The location was well judged, near railways goods yards and next to Beacham, the timber merchant. However, by 1930 the United Paper Bag Company of Australia, Pty. Ltd. had taken Tait's place, as did the wholesale paper distribution business eventually occupy the rest of the block (A. Jack, Andrew & Dyson Co. Pty_ Ltd.),DescriptionAn extraordinary two-storey red brick and stone elevation, this warehouse design more conservative contemporaries. Divided into five bays, the elevation adopts is unique amongst its the traditional tall-arched motif for its warehouse use, but augments this Romanesque character with unusual cement ornamentation which derives from Baroque architecture. Each facade pier rises well above the parapet, to support bayed capping cornices. Between each pilaster, in the three central bays, stylized keystones rise as major parapet elements, flanked by a scalloped and scrolled capping cornice to each section of the parapet wall. Almost obscured by the bold prismatic form of the keystones, is a delicate Arts and Crafts coprosma bush, achieved in bas-relief immediately below the keystone, The stone work is appropriately rugged, with quarry-faced and dressed basalt, comprising the plinths, and rising as a Gibb's surround to the ground-level piers on the side elevation bays. These stone piers frame portal-like openings. one of which is genuine (on the east), the other implied (on the west). The main entrance possesses a four-paneled door pair of suitably large dimensions. Above each ground-level portal element and placed under the parapet scrolls is a stylized cartouche motif and a large sign panel, with associated capping mould. A faded sign to the west wall says 'United Paper Company Australia, Pty. Ltd,'External IntegrityGenerally original, except for the addition of a roller-shutter door to the carriage entrance on the east and new signs to the spandrels ('Reedy's Supplies to the Refrigeration Industry'),StreetscapeGiven the alterations to the adjoining building on the east and effectively vacant site on the west, the building remains relatively isolated.SignificanceA distinctive, externally original and notable warehouse design, which illustrates the gradual replacement of low intensity uses on the city's fringe during the Edwardian manufacturing and export expansion period, with hardware warehouses and light industry which formerly occupied more central locations related to the river port..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBuilding Identification Form cites source 85,p.241;.Lewis, M. Australian Architecture Index:76390 Tait, Andrew - 568 Bourke St Tait, Andrew Melbourne VIC brick warehouse Lonsdale - 612/22 - Rice, Charles;1910 11 24.HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSA large two-storey red brick warehouse built in 1911 for Andrew Tait, a coachbuilder and ironmonger, as his own premises. It was designed by the Western District based architect, Charles Rice. The internal columns, very similar to the standard format for wool stores. The external appearance is striking, being designed in an exaggerated Romanesque style With Art Nouveau detailing..VICTORIA HERITAGE DATABASEhttps://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/90441866 - building shown on site.1880 - view shows single storey housing on site.1905 - 2 & 1 storey building, Andrew Tait, Ironmonger.Archaeological Potential: Extant bldg Fabric, Potential (area).NEWSPAPERS:The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Wednesday 5 October 1910 - Page 3https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10466310TENDERS.CHARLES L RICE,Architect388 Bourke street Melbourne,Invites TENDERS for ERECTION and COMPLETION ofLane, BRICK WAREHOUSE, Lonsdale street Melbourne,For Andrew Tait.The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Wed 1 Mar 1911 Page 1 AdvertisingCHARLES L. RICE, Architect.286 Bourke-street, ...Invites TENDERS for ERECTION of HALF TIMBER CATHOLICSCHOOLS and. CHURCH;At Wonthaggi,For the Rev. T. F. O'Sullivan... See also https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10454034The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Saturday 18 November 1911 - Page 6BLACKSMITHS.—Floorman, nail on and clinch, for country. Andrew Tait, 612-622 Lonsdale-st.Ouyen Mail (Vic. : 1915 - 1918, 1931 - 1941)Wednesday 14 August 1935 - Page 1MR. ANDREW TAIT The death occurred suddenly at his home in Locke Street, Essendon, on Thursday of Mr. Andrew Tait, a former resident of Mildura and occasional visitor to Ouyen. He left a widow and a daughter, Jeanne (Mrs. Loveridge (Ouyen) for whom sympathy will be felt. Mrs. Loveridge was in Melbourne when the sad event occurred.Born in Berwickshire (Scotland) the late Mr. Tait became a marine engineer and saw much of the world before coming to Australia, in 1902. For two years he was employed by the Melbourne Steamship Company, and in 1904 he was engaged by the First Mildura Irrigation Trust to succeed Mr. Tom Kelly as chief mechanical engineer. Important works carried out during his term were the installation of the original plants at the 90 feet level and in Deakin Avenue.In September, 1912 he relinquished office and opened a coach-building and wheelwright, shop. He carried on this business until he left Mildura several years ago. For some years he was a Town councillor, interesting himself greatly in the establishment of the electrical undertaking. He was also associated with the Presbyterian Church, the Highland Society and the Masonic Lodge.The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Wednesday 16 July 1947 - Page 10FURNISHED SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION WANTED FROM AUGUST FOR 3 OR 6 MONTHSThe United Paper Bag Co. of Australia Pty . Ltd., 612-622 Lonsdale- st,, Melbourne, Requires Temporary Residence for a Senior member of its Staff shortly arriving from England. Suitable accommodation would be 2-3 room Plat or small House in good locality, within reason able travelling distance of the city. Owner is guaranteed of prompt repossession at the end of agreed term. Would interested parties please contact the Company's Secretary by letter to above address ....
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105719 | 1 PDF : 1,163 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |