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Blakely & Co. Warehouse, 115 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Graeme Butler and Associates01/07/1989
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Title:
Blakely & Co. Warehouse, 115 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Graeme Butler and Associates
Date of work:
01/07/1989
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105676
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: 1876-1899DATE: 1888;ASSOCIATIONS: Blakeley, W H & Co Sawmakers and Importers;DESIGNER: Unknown;BUILDER: Joseph Hollow.GRAEME BUTLER 1989, LITTLE BOURKE STREET PRECINCT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of SignificanceHistoryBuilt: 1888Obvious from the bas-relief circular saw on the parapet, this three· level brick store was built for W.H. Blakely & Co. (saw manufacturers and importers) in 1888, by Richmond builder, Joseph Hollow, (q.v.).- Given the large mill sites nearby (Perry's and Alcock's) and the furniture industry, the use is of historical worth to the precinct. Blakely remained here until the 192Os, but meanwhile, George Tallis (the theatrical entrepreneur) had become the owner, after a brief tenure by TJ. & Ah Coy, c1900-1905.3George Tallis, later Sir George, was (like John Tait, q.v.) a director and managing director of the theatrical agency, J.C. Williamson Ltd. and connected '...with several commercial and industrial enterprises.4 His involvement, with this building parallels with the Tail brothers' ownership of 107-111 Lonsdale Street and the proximity of His Majesty's Theatre. Tallis shared ownership in the 1940s with Frank Selwood, who continued, with Victor Harrison, as the owner in the 1950s.5Occupancy changed from the Doncaster Tea Rooms of the late 193Os, to a manufacturing chemist, KJ. Unger & Co., in the 1950s. 6DescriptionA stylized commercial English Queen Anne three-storey elevation. the red brick and stucco detailing or the budding provide a striking visual contrast. The unusual parapet (with saw) is notable. Like 113 Lonsdale Street, the corner brickwork is regressed, allowing the front bay to chamfer back at the parapet as a quasi-three-dimensional facade element. Basement lights made by Hayward Brothers or Union Street, London survive.External IntegrityGround-level has been replaced in an interpretive sympathetic manner and canopy added. However, the canopy is a strong visual element and atypical to the building's era.StreetscapePart of a 19th and early 20th century warehouse Streetscape.SignificanceA well preserved upper elevation in an early example or the English Queen Anne revival style (see Winfield Building) which, by its saw motif, expresses visually the dominance of timber mills and furniture makers in the precinct. It also supports a 19th or early 20th century warehouse/factory streetscape and has slight links with the area's theatre theme.Contributes to precinct.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBuilding Identification Form.GRAEME BUTLER 1989, LITTLE BOURKE STREET PRECINCT CONSERVATION STUDYBuilding Identification Formcites:2 BA (CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION ) 3686. 20/11/1888; D1891: RBI889, 680 'unfinished'3 RBI905, 582; RBI915.522: RBI920,4994 Who's Who in Australia 1944, p.779. knighted 19225 RB1940,342; RBI950,3406 D1939,D1950 (DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL ).LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX76342 Hollow, Joseph - Burnley St Richmond Blakely, R Melbourne VIC MCC registration no 3686 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.3.0warehouse in Lonsdale near east end 1888 11 20.City of Melbourne online maps 2016Former warehouse. A three storey brick building with a basement. Built 1888. Refurbished and converted to offices in 1959..NEWSPAPERS:Euroa Advertiser (Vic. : 1884 - 1920) Friday 29 May 1891 p 8 ArticleBLAKELEY, W. H., 115 Lonsdale street, importer and manufacturer. Send your old circular saws tobe reduced in thickness and ground equal to new..i-Heritage City of Melbourne115 LONSDALE STREET MELBOURNE 3000Heritage GradingsBuilding Grading Streetscape Level Laneway LevelC 2Conservation Study Study Date StatusLittle Bourke Precinct Study - Graeme Butler, no date AdoptedBuilding and History InformationPeriod 1876-99 - VictorianDescription/Notable Features Notable features include details, finishes, bricks and design.Recommendations/ AlterationsGround level altered, trim colours new ( sympathetic - reinstate original design) Canopy new ( reinstate original design or sympathetic alternative)
Related material link:
115 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (Butler14222\\)115, 117 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (Butler14223\\)115 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (Butler14221\\)
Names:
City of Melbourne
Topics:
Little Bourke Historic Precinct StudyConservation studiesMid-late Victorian period (1875-1900)WarehousesBrick1880-1889
Places:
Melbourne (Vic.)
Form/Genre:
Building Identification Forms (BIFs)
Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1249625
Bookmark link:
https://librarysearch.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/OPAC/ARCENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=1249625
TypeReference No.ExtentStatus/Desc
Original1056761 PDF : 749 KB ; A4Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced)
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