Remove from your active Pick list Save for later

Melbourne Athenaeum Offices & Library, Athenaeum Theatre, 184-192 Collins Street, Melbourne

Butler, Graeme1985

Record details

Title:

Creator:

Butler, Graeme (Name details)

Date of work:

1985

Reference number:

BIF-CITY 102148

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: VictorianConstruction date: 1885Notable features: 1. Relates to Town Hall. 2. Early Melbourne Institution..ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER:.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryCommencing as a Mechanics Institute in 1842, this site has been redeveloped many times since. By 1873 it was renamed the Melbourne Athenaeum and by 1886, rebuilt to near its present external form. Renovations in 1910 and 1913 created an art gallery, a smoking room and new decor generally.This theatre began, as replacement of the main hall, in the mind of a theatre manager, Frank Talbot. An Athenaeum Sub-Committee, formed in 1921 of eminent members such as George Lush and E.H. Cookes, were advised by Talbot on what form their intentions might take. The Sydney theatre architect, Henry White (of H E White and Gurney), was engaged to prepare a design for the main alterations which transformed the old hall into a theatre. Talbot appears to have been the leasehold owner of the new theatre for it was he who commissioned White for the first and second stages to the contract (designed solely by White) involving extra lavatories and cloakrooms to allow the theatre's opening in late 1924. As a cinema, it was the first venue for sound films in Australia.White had begun his Australian career with a series of theatre designs in 1913 for Hugh McIntosh. A self-confessed `revivalist' he chose the Adam Greek revival style for this theatre and alterations at Melbourne's Princess and Palace Theatres and Sydney's Theatre Royal and St. James: all in the period 1921- 1926. White's subsequent American tour and his exposure to the exotica of John Eberson's designs, made his style more flamboyant, one example being the Palais at St Kilda. White had designed 130 cinemas by 1928 but few of his Adam designs remain, the Athenaeum being the most complete. It is probable that no other intact Greek revival theatre interior exists in Victoria.DescriptionThe Athenaeum's `intimate' size has ensured full effect from the circular forms used in both horizontal and vertical planes. Relatively large circle segments have been achievable, compared to larger theatre plans which of necessity elongate the traditional `circle' into ellipsoids or shallow circle semgments stretched across rectangular forms. As a consequence, the traditional 19th century theatre form, used here, and its affinity to the shell it occupies, lend another value to this 20th century interior. The reuse of the original hall is evident from the exposed basalt walling and a large blinded window evident backstage. Further invisible alterations included the blocked side windows and the new proscenium wall.Saltire-cross latticework over the proscenium and the Adam urns linked by looped gold garlands, are some of the sparely applied details which comprise a style so unusual among the redecorated or exotic-revival theatres in the state.The foyer, surviving shopfront and added street canopy are more prosaic parts of the renovation which combat the 19th century external character.External IntegrityTheatre interior generally original.SignificanceOne of the state's two surviving major theatre designs by the nationally known theatre architect, Henry White, the only Greek revival theatre interior known in Victoria and the first cinema to project sound films in Australia..VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0501What is significant?The Melbourne Athenaeum is a three storey stuccoed brick structure completed in 1886 to designs of architects Smith and Johnson. Giant order Corinthian pilasters divide the main facade into three bays. The central bay projects slightly and rises through the parapet to finish as a niche containing a statue of Minerva. Established in November 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institute and School of Arts with Captain Lonsdale as the first president, the Institute changed its name in 1873 when the theatre was added at the rear to the designs of architect Alfred Smith. The theatre was remodelled as a cinema in 1924 by architect HE White, and the front canopy was added at the same time.How is it significant?The Melbourne Athenaeum is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The Melbourne Athenaeum is historically significant as the home of the oldest public institution in Victoria. It is additionally significant as the site of the first Melbourne Council chambers. The council met on this site from 1842 to 1852. In 1929 the theatre was the first in Australia to exhibit films with soundtracks.The Melbourne Athenaeum is architecturally significant as an unusually late example of the Renaissance Revival style. The style was considered appropriate for an institution with an emphasis on learning. The statue of Minerva is an unusual addition.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM source 78 MURPHY ARCHITECTS, JOHN AND PHYLLIS 1976. HISTORIC BUILDINGS STUDY OF PART OF THE C.B.D. MELBOURNE : { AREA 1} WITH MURPHY, JOCK, FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL. https://mls1.spydus.com/spydus#viewRecord?appId=ar&irn=17808238,p3; CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS 1485.MURPHY ARCHITECTS, JOHN AND PHYLLIS 1976. HISTORIC BUILDINGS STUDY OF PART OF THE C.B.D. MELBOURNE : { AREA 1} WITH MURPHY, JOCK, FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL.Building of Interest, part of significant streetscape 12.`7.43 184-192 Collins Street - Athenaeum TheatreConstruction Date: 1886 with subsequent alterationsArchitect for Alterations 1924 : H.E. WhiteThe land on which the Athenaeum Theatre now stands in Collins Street was purchased on 6/8/1840. A Mechanics Institute was then built; it was a brick building of two storeys containing library, reading room, offices and an upstairs hall. The front section of the building was rebuilt in 1856 and in 1872 an entrance up a flight of steps from Collins Street was added, flanked by offices. The congregation of the Scots Church occupied by the building while awaiting completion of their new church further up the hill.Probably the major part of the present building commenced in 1886, for a description of the time says "the front portions were demolished and the present front was built".Alderman Thomas Moubray, whose mansion home "Armadale still stands in St Kilda Road, purchased for the sum of one hundred guineas the statue of Minerva which stands in the niche at the top of the building to this day.It appears from examination of the 1888 and 1901 Mahlstedt plans and 1894 MMBW sewerage plan that the building acquired its present facade during the 1890' s. The present verandah is a more modern addition. 1Prior to extensive alterations being carried out in 1924 by Sydney architect, H.E. White, the upper hall was used for art exhibitions and it was the venue of the early meetings of the Victorian Institute of Architects. The original hall was reconstructed beyond recognition and was described in the following way :"it now takes the form of a legitimate theatre with modern tilt up seats throughout t comfortable and attractively upholstered and the interior is daintily ornamented with equally up to date lighting arrangements. Posts are always a nuisance to any of the audience who happen to sit behind them; in this case all but two thin posts in the stalls, and circle have been dispensed with".21. Kellaway, C. National Trust of Australia (Vic) files2 Building, November 12, 1926, P 47.'.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0501History of Place:In August 1840 the Melbourne Mechanics Institution purchased 110 feet of frontage to Collins Street, running back to Little Collins Street, for 285 pounds. The first building was completed in December 1842, a two storey brick building known as the Hall of Arts. The Municipal Council occupied the ground floor until 1852. The Institute received an annual grant of 150 pounds from the government and in 1854 received 5000 pounds towards the cost of a new building. From 1857 it had to rely on its own resources. In 1851 there were 488 members. It was also the headquarters of the First Church of Christ, Scientist. In 1855 new the new building was begun, but only the front was completed. The hall to be built at the rear was to be to a design by Charles Webb, but financial problems meant that only alterations to the existing building were executed. The new hall was left until 1871 and finished in 1872. The architect was Alfred Smith, and the builders were Turnbull and Dick. The Institution renamed itself the Melbourne Athenaeum in 1873. Scots Church were the first occupiers whilst its own church was being rebuilt(?) The In 1877 membership had grown to 1681. The remodelled facade was finally completed in 1886. The statue of Minerva was from a gift of 100 guineas and was modelled by Mr Kretzschmar. The theatre at the rear was converted to a cinema in 1924 to the design of leading theatre architect H E White. It was subsequently converted back again. The verandah was erected in early 1920s but entailed destruction of trees to Collins Street.Associated People: Captain Lonsdale (first president)

Names:

City of Melbourne

Topics: