Equity Chambers, 472-478 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Although a late addition to the neo-Romanesque resurgence in the late 1920s, the building is in near original condition, has been richly finished and detailed and makes the uncommonly generous gesture, with the arcade, of giving away part of its ground floor to the public. It is also the headquarters of one of Victoria's longest established firms.
Title:
Equity Chambers, 472-478 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 101180
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:
Period: Inter-WarConstruction date: 1930-1931Notable features: Stone facings, columns, ornaments, rich revival styleInterior: Lacquered woodwork and arts fittingsASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryArchitects, Oakley and Parkes, have been confident enough in their office design for the Equity Trustees Executors and Agency Company, to occupy their top floor tenancy since it was completed in 1931. Equity Trustees had ground and first floors, the National Bank occupied the mezzanine and a host of small offices riddled the upper floors. After over 40 years in business to that date, Equity Trustees have maintained this as their Australian headquarters.A handsome eclectic facade of tapestry brickwork and Sydney freestone, four floors, a mezzanine and a ground level were erected by Weavell and Keast during the lean years of 1930-31 for an estimated 75,000 pounds. It replaced Melbourne's first synagogue of the 1840s.DescriptionMajorca House (qv) Equity Trustees in their common use of a Modern Romanesque style (pronounced Italian Romanesque by the advance publicity), the former in a relatively flamboyant manner. Equity Trustees however, diverges from the Spanish or Moorish influence seen at Majorca, plumbing instead for some of the natural materials (Sydney freestone and red granite) and colours of the northern European precedents.A novel mezzanine floor, facing the arcade, shares with the ground floor, the typically double-storey but single floor podium seen in other contemporary office buildings, such as Shell Corner (qv). Although, by comparison with the new Gothic-clad commercial wave, Equity Trustees has been given a slightly dated styling, it shares with the other fashions the simple window strips with enriched spandrels as a mutual progression to the modern. The Romanesque arcade which is essential for the design is also a rare gesture to the comfort of those entering the building.Sparingly applied but richly carved detail at the lower spandrels, door heads, upper spandrels and the parapet entablature result from the modern expression of the chosen revival period. Lacquered wood work and brass fittings at human level, also imply the period rather than replicate it. The Argus applauded the architect's desire `...to introduce bright colour notes into their design...to break away from the drabness of older buildings'.External IntegrityGenerally original externally.StreetscapeIsolated.SignificanceAlthough a late addition to the neo-Romanesque resurgence in the late 1920s, the building is in near original condition, has been richly finished and detailed and makes the uncommonly generous gesture, with the arcade, of giving away part of its ground floor to the public. It is also the headquarters of one of Victoria's longest established firms.VICTORIAN HERITAGE REGISTER VHR H2249see https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/2557Statement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Equity Chambers was constructed in 1930-31 to the designs of the architects Oakley & Parkes, and was built by Weavell & Keast for £90,000. The site was that of the first synagogue in Victoria. Equity Chambers was built for the Equity Trustees Company, which had been established in 1888 by an Act of the Victorian Parliament to provide trustee and executor services, and later evolved into a financial services provider. The building was designed to accommodate the Equity Trustees offices and an impressive main chamber on the ground floor, the company's offices on the first floor and tenants on the upper floors. The building was close to Melbourne's legal quarter and mainly served members of the legal profession. The legal chambers were set up by Sir Eugene Gorman in 1931 and the third floor in particular has had a close association since then with a number of judges and barristers which have been prominent in Victoria's legal history.Equity Chambers is a steel-framed and reinforced concrete office building in an Inter-war Romanesque style, with a basement, ground floor, mezzanine and four upper floors. The front elevation is faced with tapestry brickwork on a double storey plinth of Sydney sandstone and polished granite. The upper windows are recessed with decorated spandrels. The facade is crowned by a terracotta band, the projecting central bay being elaborately decorated with multi-coloured terracotta tiles, corbels supporting pointed arches, and decorated square panels. Stylistically the details are derived from Italian Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The central entrance is through an arcaded porch, with the name 'Equity Trustees Company' inscribed above in Art Deco style lettering. The porch, supported by two polished granite columns, opens into a hallway with a vaulted coffered ceiling leading to the large rear main chamber, which retains decorative plasterwork, Corinthian columns, carved timber surrounds on the door into the entry hall and the staircase to the mezzanine offices. Two lifts are located in a passage which is perpendicular to the central main hall. Notable original features include the incised foliated bands and other facade decoration, the arcaded entry porch, the entrance foyers with their coffered ceilings, the elaborately decorated post box and fire alarm in the lift foyer, the patterned timber veneer lined lift cars and the stairways.This site is part of the traditional land of the Wurundjeri people.How is it significant?Equity Chambers is of architectural and historical significance to the state of Victoria.Why is it significant?Equity Chambers is architecturally significant as an outstanding example of the exotic revival architectural styles which were adopted in Victoria during the inter-war period, especially during the Great Depression. It is significant as a demonstration of the then characteristic application of historically inspired architectural detail to contemporary building forms. The Italian Romanesque and Gothic detailing is particularly fine, and the ground floor loggia, entry foyer and lift interiors are among the finest in Victoria. It was one of the few large buildings constructed in Melbourne during the Great Depression, when economy, as well as appearance, was a prime concern.Equity Chambers is historically significant as the oldest continuously occupied barristers' chambers in Victoria, which have been occupied since 1931 by some of Victoria's most famous judges and barristers.VICTORIA HERITAGE DATABASENational Trust of Australia (Vic) B4050http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/search/nattrust_result_detail/64388Statement of SignificanceDesigned by tenant architects Oakley and Parkes and built by 1931, Equity Chambers is a late addition to the exotic commercial styles prevalent in the late 1920's and said at the time to be Romanesque but displaying Byzantine characterisation. It is in near original condition and has been richly finished and detailed. It is distinguished among its contemporaries by its arcaded entry porch. It is also the headquarters of one of Victoria's longest established firms and has housed many distinguished members of the legal profession, a factor which is reflected by the high integrity of the interior.Classified: 20/04/1978ALERTON WEB SITE 2021PROPOSED DEVELOPMENThttps://alerton.com.au/472-bourke-street/Project Summary472 Bourke Street is a hotel development that consists of 250 hotel rooms, a hotel restaurant, bars, executive lounge, meeting rooms, gymnasium and back of house facilities. Designed by architects Bates Smart, the development involves partial demolition of the existing building to allow for the construction of a new 17-storey building over basement at the rear of the property. As well as the construction of a new 6-storey structure over the existing ‘Equity Chambers’ building. The existing building and the heritage listed elements pertaining to the façade and the internal fit-out shall be restored to celebrate and enhance the historically significant aspects of the ‘Equity Chambers’ building.This combined building automation & mechanical electrical project is due for completion at the end of 2019.NEWSPAPERS:The Age April 23, 2010 onlineaddition to Victorian Heritage Registerhttps://www.smh.com.au/national/equity-chambers-latest-heritage-battleground-20100422-tfvu.html`....A HISTORIC jewel, tucked between the glass towers on Bourke Street, is the latest battleground in the growing conflict between CBD redevelopment and retention of Melbourne's rich architectural and cultural history....'see also https://architectureau.com/articles/bates-smart-designs-hotel-above-heritage-listed-building-in-melbourne-cbd/Bates Smart designs hotel above heritage-listed building in Melbourne CBDINDUSTRY NEWS | Architecture AU Editorial 17 Apr 2019
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1188891
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 101180 | 1 PDF : 1,373 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |