People's Palace, 131-135 King Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
People's Palace, 131-135 King Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105299
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:__________________________________________________Period: Inter-WarDATE: 1925-1926;ASSOCIATIONS: Salvation Army;DESIGNER: Dale, Percival;BUILDER: Pincini, L.GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES 2011, CENTRAL CITY (HODDLE GRID) HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?The Salvation Army was established in Australia by English Salvationists, Gore and Saunders. They arrived in Adelaide in 1880 where they oversaw the construction of the Army's first Australian building, a barracks in Light Square near the red light district. Three years later, the movement established its Australasian Headquarters in Melbourne where it built or adapted a range of buildings for its evangelical and social mission.The Sydney People's Palace had opened in 1899, initially providing housing for the homeless but the institution found its real purpose in providing cheap accommodation for travellers and visitors to the City away from the environment of liquor and gambling found in many hotels. The enterprise was so successful (growing to 731 rooms, as one of the largest hotels in the Southern Hemisphere) that the concept was eventually extended to other capital cities in the Commonwealth.The three storey Workmen's Metropolis later People's Metropole in King Street was one such building. It was built by the Salvation Army in 1901 on land purchased four years earlier as a poor men's shelter. This shelter, known as the Model Lodging House from the 1880s and earlier, was eventually joined with two other nearby buildings acquired by the Army to allow shelter for some 420 men, and an upgrade of the existing accommodation standard. Around 1914, the King Street complex was renamed the Melbourne People's Palace and its focus was changed from long to short term accommodation.At the end of 1924, the Workmen's Metropolis was demolished and a new seven storey People's Palace was erected on the site after tenders were called. The palace could hold 500 persons, it had a trafficable flat roof to overview the populace, a palm court, and several `spacious lounges' including the large dining saloon on the ground floor. This saloon could seat 200, with its lead light dome, panelled walls, hexagonal tables, and imitation marble columns. The building cost was ₤72,000 but the total cost complete was thought to be about ₤100,000 . The travelling public were catered for in the first floor refreshment room with its soda fountain, grilles for quick meals and accordion doors to allow 2000 square feet of contiguous floor area.Bedrooms were single, double or family size but each had an openable window for light and ventilation. Two electric elevators and three wide staircases traversed the height of the building while the 750 feet length of passages were fitted with `silent tread' linoleum; the combined floor area was a massive 2 acres. Fire prevention relied on the concrete construction, fire underwriter escape doors and partitions of coke breeze blocks. Chemical extinguishers were placed at each floor and a high pressure fire water service allowed brigade access. The construction was by day labour supervised by Mr L Pinemi. It was opened by the Lord Mayor, Sir William Brunton, 3 November 1926, with a luncheon and speakers.Designed by Adjutant Percival Dale of the Salvation Army property department and constructed in rendered reinforced concrete, the building is a bold and unusually mannered composition of abstracted Classical elements. The building comprises two large pavilions which flank a five storey canted bay containing a vertical array of balconies. This central bay is supported on oversized consoles and features smooth rusticated pilasters which rise through its full height. The pavilion elements are simpler but rise to abstracted cornice elements supported on more oversized brackets. The deep balconies central to the seven level façade are unlike any other 20th century building in the Capital City Zone (see Markillie's Hotel balcony)The building is currently used as a restaurant with hotel accommodation above. The hotel entry is denoted by a small but unsympathetic added canopy and signage which detracts from both the symmetry of the composition and obscures the single-purpose nature of the original building. Nonetheless, the building has retained its early character and detail.How is it significant?The Peoples Palace is significant historically and aesthetically to the Melbourne Capital City Zone.Why is it significant?The former Melbourne People's Palace is of historical significance as a good example of specialist accommodation within the City of Melbourne in the long tradition of similar lodging places located in Bourke Street, Lonsdale Street (as the Princess Mary Club), Coppin's Our Improved Dwelling & Lodging House in Little Bourke Street and on this site as the Model Lodging House. This specialised use is made particularly relevant given the building's location near Spencer Street railway station along with the other major private hotels built there in the late Victorian , Edwardian and inter-war periods.The Peoples Palace is also significant for its long association with the work of the Salvation Army in the City of Melbourne during the early part of the twentieth century.Aesthetically, the Peoples Palace is a well preserved Greek-revival design that is made more distinctive by its residential multi-storey use and the associated location of deep balconies up the seven level façade unlike any other 20th century building in the Capital City Zone..RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneThe Salvation Army was established in Australia by English Salvationists, Gore and Saunders. They arrived in Adelaide in 1880 where they oversaw the construction of the Army's first Australian building, a barracks in Light Square near the red light district. Three years later, the movement established its Australasian Headquarters in Melbourne where it built or adapted a range of buildings for its evangelical and social mission. The three storey Metropole in King Street was one such building. It was builtby the Salvation Army in 1901 on land purchased four years earlier and provided cheap accommodation for working men[Cox 2001].The Sydney People's Palace opened in 1899, initially providing housing for the homeless but the institution found its real purpose in providing cheap accommodation for travellers and visitors to the City away from the environment of liquor and gambling found in many hotels. The enterprise was so successful that the concept was extended to other capital cities. Around 1914, the Metropole was renamed the Melbourne People's Palace and its focus was changed from long to short term accommodation..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites:HBPC CBD Area Study (85), page 163: Model Lodging House and registry office on site from c1875, Model Lodging House c1885- ,Workmen's Metropole (Salvation Army) c1900-, Peoples Metropole c1905- Peoples Palace c1910- , Recommended no registration__________________________________________________City of Melbourne i-Heritage:Central Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 Building Identification Form (BIF): : Description/Notable Features Notable features include shop verandah; Interior recommended for inspection. Alterations / Recommendations: Ground level reclad (inappropriate - remove or reinstate original design).City of Melbourne Maps 2021Ibis Styles Hotel:The former Salvation Army's People Palace. A seven storey rendered reinforced concrete building with a basement. Designed in the Greek Revival style by Adujant Percival Dale of the Salvation Army and built in 1926 at a cost of 80,000 pounds. Designed to accomodate 500 persons the main dining room could seat 200. It was opened by the Lord Mayor Sir William Brunton on Wednesday 3rd November. In his speech Sir William said Forty or fifty years ago we looked askance at the new organisation, but since then we have grown wiser and realise fully the great spiritual and social work which the Salvation Army is doing in our cities. Its members are doing the work which the Churches have not touched. Work in the lowest stratum of society, seeking to save and rehabilitate the fallen. Refurbished and converted to a tourist hotel and restaurant in 1979.VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-15791850 - building possibly on this site. 1855 - Commissariat stores and/or Immigration Office. 1866 - building on site. 1888 - one-, two- and three-storey buildings and yard. 1905 - same, Salvation Army.__________________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)`The Argus' 31/1/1923FIRST VISIT TO MELBOURNE.ABORIGINE'S OPINION OF CITY. 'Too Cold and Too Much Rus'.'Mrs. Agnes Edwards, a full-blooded aborigine from the Swan Hill district, decided, for the first time, that she wanted to see Melbourne, stay a week in the city, and then go to Echuca to visit some friends. The Aborigines Board arranged the necessary transport, and also for police- woman Davidson, of the Russell street station, to meet her at the railway station on Monday night and to take her to the Peoples' Palace, King street.On Monday night Mrs. Edwards said that although she preferred the country, she was prepared to give the city a trial for one week. After that she would go to Echuca. Yesterday morning, however, she changed her mind. She said she had no intention to stray, or 'o 'walk abo't.' Therefore, keeping the Peoples' Palace well in view, she timidly explored King street. That was sufficient. She returned to her temporary home, and decided that Melbourne was far too cold, and that there was altogether too much ''r'Significant historically' about it.,Possibly, symptoms of nostalgia contributed to her change of plans, but she made up her mind to visit the Coranderrk aborigines station at Healesville. After a few days' stay there, she said she would return home, omitting Echuca from her itinerary. Melbourne's climate and noise have proved to be beyond endurance. Unless Mrs. Edwards changes her mind again on her return from Healesville, her first visit to Melbourne will have consisted of a short trip to and from Spencer street station, and a timid survey of King street. She said she did not want to see anything else.Although this is Mrs. Edwards's first trip to Melbourne, she has been several times to Kerang, where she has friends. She was born in New South Wales, and crossed the Murray to marry an aborigine named Harry Edwards. Thus, when her husband died, she came under the protection of the Victorian Aborigines Board. Actually, she lives in New South Wales, 12 miles from Swan Hill. With her cousin, she has made a home on Speewa Creek, on the Murray. Here she has cultivated a small garden, growing onions and potatoes, but floods destroy her efforts occasionally. She also has a boat, and adds to her income by fishing. Rations, with tobacco, and clothing, are supplied by the guardian of aborigines at Swan Hill.Mrs. Edwards does not claim Royal rank. She has been referred to in a'country newspap'r a' 'Queen of Swan'Hill,' but'that, she expla'ned, 'was'only in a newspaper.' She has presented flowers, made of birds' feathers, to Lady Forster and Lady Stradbroke, so she might be said to have had a nodding acquaintance with vice-royalty, but that is the nearest approach to royalty she has so far achieved-- except in a newspaper. Mrs. Edwards, who is about 60 yeas of age, can neither read nor write. Nevertheless, she treasures a kindly-worded letter from Lady Stradbroke, thanking her for her gift of artificial flowers.Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954)Saturday 24 May 1924 - Page 14https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222808331NEW PEOPLE'S PALACE £60,000Building Planned entirely in reinforced concrete, the new People's Palace, which the Salvation Army proposes erecting on the west side of King street, near the corner of Little Collins street, will he one of the largest buildings of its kind in Melbourne, tenders for construction will be called for shortly. At present, the site is held by the Salvation Army. The existing buildings are to be demolished, and the People's Palace, with seven floors aid a basement, erected at a cost of about £60,000. Sleeping accommodation will be provided for 604 persons, mostly in single rooms. The architect is Adjutant Percival Dale, who designed the Army's Hostel in Spring Street, Melbourne, and the Officers' Training College in Sydney. Measuring 69 by 198ft.. The entire site will be occupied by the building, with the exception of areas for light and air. The structure will be 90ft. high, and will contain about a million cubic feet. There will be 750ft. of passages, and floor areas amount ing in all to almost two acres. This scheme Is a development of the original Men's Shelter started by the Salvation Army on the same site over 30 years ago. It will help to raise funds for the Army's spiritual and philanthropic work, which is now assuming huge proportions. Two hundred people will be able to use the large dining room on the ground floor at one sitting. The kitchen will be of a most up-to-date type. Refreshment and grill rooms on the first floor will provide a continuous service for travellers arriving at all hours. Fire prevention will be so adequately provided that, if an outbreak occurred, say, in one of the bed rooms, it could not spread beyond the floorboards, door and furniture. Street mains and water supply tanks on the flat roof will provide for all contingencies. Adjutant Dale is preparing plans for a new People's Palace at New castle, N.S.W., and large additions to Perth People's Palace, W.A. There will be a complete chain of these buildings in the principal cities -of Australia, including the Sydney structure, which is one of the largest hotels in the Southern Hemi sphere, and has 731 rooms.`The Argus' 29/11/1924TENDERS arc invited for the ERECTION of an EIGHT-STORIED PEOPLE'S PALACE IN REINFORCED CONCRETE, at 131 King street, Melbourne, including also Demolition of Existing BuildingsADJUTANT PERCIVAL DALE, Architect, 69 Bourke street, Melbourne. Central 10018.Clerk of Works Mr. L. Pincini.Quantities by Messrs. Blackburne and Whyte.Tenders Close at noon. On Monday, DecemberTuesday 31 August 1926https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3806058NEW 'PEOPLE'S'PALACE.'Construction Almost Completed….description of building and site history.`The architect is Adjutant Percival Dale, of the Salvation Army property department, and the work has been carried out bv day labour under Mr. L Pincini…'Tuesday 2 November 1926Open on 3 November…__________________________________________________RAWORTH, B 2002. REVIEW OF HERITAGE OVERLAY LISTINGS IN THE CBDfor the City of MelbourneRaworth report 2002 cites:Cox 2001: Interview with Lindsay Cox, Archivist for the Salvation Army, 15 February 2001.Butler 1985, CAD Conservation Study, Peoples Palace.Wilson, 1985: CAD Study (sic): 163.__________________________________________________DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL1880 King St (after 105) Model Lodging House and registry Office...1896 Model Lodging House Co - Watkins, James mngr1899-D1900 131 Workmen's Metropolis (Salv Army) Edwin Bishop superintendent1905 131 Workmen's Metropolis (Salv Army) Major John Condon, superintendent1910 131 People's Metropole Major A Lamb, superintendent1915 131 People's Palace Major A Lamb, superintendent1920 131 People's Palace Brig. A Lamb, superintendent1930 131 People's Palace JD McLean manager
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
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| Original | 105299 | 1 JPEG : 233 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |