Alkira House, 18 Queen Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Alkira House, 18 Queen Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 108116
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:__________________________________________________DATE: 1937;ASSOCIATIONS: Cohen, Colonel Harold and Annie;DESIGNER: Wardrop, J.H. (Wardrop, James Hastie);BUILDER: Swanson BrothersStyle: ModernePeriod: Inter-WarNotable features include: Glass bricks, terracotta facing.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0397Statement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Alkira House, a six storey, reinforced concrete office building, was erected in 1937 as an investment by Harold and Annie Cohen. JH Wardrop was the architect and Swanson Bros the builders. The facade, composed of strong vertical panels and shafts, is expressed by contrasting grey, green and black terra cotta faience tiles with a central continuous panel of glass blocks surmounted by a cleverly contrived waterfall tower.How is it significant?Alkira House is of architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?Alkira House is of architectural significance as an exceptional example of the vertical Jazz Moderne style in Victoria, a style considered to be extremely avant-garde and rarely adopted for building in this State between the wars. The facade reflects modern office building philosophy then developing in Europe, especially the Dutch and German experiments in glass, vitrolite and terracotta of the 1920s and 1930s. Alkira House was in sharp contrast to the revivalist nature of architecture in Melbourne in the 1930s, and while it has some similarities to the Manchester Unity and Myer buildings, it is considerably more flamboyant.Alkira House is of architectural significance as a distinguished and innovative work of JH Wardrop, who was a principal of the firm that designed the Shrine of Remembrance..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 80 and RAIA(Vic) 20th Century Register_________________________________________REID, KEITH & JOHN R, 1976, MELBOURNE CBD STUDY AREA 7 (source 80)DESCRIPTION:This 6 storey office block is an unusual example of what could be described as jazz age architecture, both externally and internally. 'The concrete structure is clad on the front facade with green terra cotta tiles. 'The detailing on the front facade, particularly the crowning detail is reminiscent of WaIter Burley Griffin's work. 'The tile treatment is continued inside at each floor level in the lift/ stair foyers where multi coloured and sized tiles are used in patterns.CITYSCAPE RELATIONSHIP:The building has no relationship to others in the area, however it is a unique example and important in its own right.RECOMMENDATIONRetention of the whole building is considered essential.(Refer full report by Ray Tonkin)_________________________________________HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSDesigned by J H Wardrop, this small six-storey reinforced concrete office building was constructed in 1937 as an investment for Harold and Annie' Cohen. It is an exceptional example of the "Jazz Moderne" style in Melbourne and notable for its use of glass bricks and contrasting glazed tiles in the design of its exterior._________________________________________NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)Statement of SignificanceBuilt as an office building in 1937, architect J.H. Wardrop, builder Swanson Bros. Pty Ltd, the facade incorporates art deco elements of Wunderlich terra-cotta black, light grey and green tiles with a central panel of green glass blocks, styled to a vertical form. The classification is restricted to the facade.Classified: 05/10/1978_________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1939https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261591680Colonel Harold CohenI understand that Colonel Harold Cohen will be back in Melbourne next week-end. The Colonel, who has been spending some time in London with his wife and daughter, has interested himself particularly with Jewish refugee problems in England and the Continent and his information will be invaluable to the local Australian Jewish Welfare Society. The International situation has also hurried his return. Colonel Cohen still retains active association with the Commonwealth’s military forces..https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261592029Colonel Harold Cohen. (illust)Soldiering- was not only a hobby with Colonel Harold Cohen, who has been actively concerned with Australian military matters since his return last week from abroad. He once told me that he regarded it as the responsibility of every .Jewish citizen to make .himself fit to play his part in defending this country should the need arise. Over a period of years the Colonel has shown that he doesn’t expect anybody to do anything he doesn’t do himself. In military circles he is spoken of as one of the most efficient of Australia’s officers, with an amazing flair for organization.(many articles).1947The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Thursday 13 March 1947 - Page 18https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/245580444 illust.Queen St. SaleSold by the trustees of the estate of the late Brigadier Harold Cohen, Alkira House, 18 Queen Street, has' been bought, subject to Treasury consent, by the United Oil Co. Pty. Ltd., which proposes to change the name of the property to “United Oil Building" ,Occupants of this building include the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia,- Victorian Golf Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Commonwealth Institute of Valuers, Grocers' Association, a business college and a number of commercial and financial offices.NEWLY BUILTPrice was between £25,000 and £30,000. A modern office building completed only two years before the war. it has a frontage of 22ft. 7in. and depth 99ft., running through to Bond Street at the rear. It has ground and five upper -floors. The chairman of the United Oil Co. (Mr T. W. Kost) said to day that, with slight modification to give his company a certain amount of space, the tenants would not be disturbed.The United Oil Co. was formed 20 years ago and claims to be the only wholly Australian-owned and controlled company importing bitumen throughout this country It also manufactures and markets associated petroleum products. Mr E. M. Purdy, of E.. M. Purdy and Co., negotiated the sale.
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Research and reports
Record number:
1261827
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 108116 | 1 PDF : 1,572 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |