Mezrich-house, or Abraham Smith's house, later Don Henry Fulton's office, 439 King Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme01/08/1987
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Title:
Mezrich-house, or Abraham Smith's house, later Don Henry Fulton's office, 439 King Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
01/08/1987
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105328
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
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:__________________________________________________GRAEME BUTLER 2015-16. WEST MELBOURNE HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?Elizabeth Street money or pawn broker, Abraham Smith was the first rated owner-occupier, in 1885, of what was then a brick house of ten rooms set on an allotment of 25x150 feet (7.62m x 45.7m). Smith died in 1899, leaving the house to widow Julia and daughter Hannah. The Smith family played a prominent role in North and West Melbourne society events as well as receiving some notoriety for the daring jewellery theft from Smith's Elizabeth Street premises. The house name of Mezrich-house was always included in the many family notices in local newspapers concerning the Smith family and was obviously treasured by them as it was used during their occupation after Abraham's death.Another major occupancy of the house was as the office of the prize winning architect, Don Hendry Fulton, from around the late 1950s-1960s for over an extended period. As part of his occupation, the front verandah was removed to perhaps modernise or Georgianise the façade. Nearby in King Street was the office of Yuncken Freeman Brothers Griffiths and Simpson Architects, the Freeman Brothers being great connoisseurs of Georgian architecture. The front verandah was reinstated in c2010 and the front fence repaired in 2006.Don Hendry Fulton's design for the BP Refinery Administration Building at Crib Point (1965) was awarded the 1966 RVIA Victorian Architecture Medal (also on the Victorian Heritage Register). The Rosebud municipal offices were designed by Fulton (1973-76) and his firm was involved in the planning of Mary Kathleen and Weipa, as two model mining towns for post-war Australia. He also designed the elegant and contemporary Blainey house, The Boulevard, Ivanhoe, in 1957.Contributory elements include:two storey parapeted stuccoed elevated row house;cemented cornice moulds, foliated and faceted blocks and brackets with an entablature mould, panelled verandah side walls;face brick side and rear walls;pitched hipped roof behind the parapet, with cemented and corniced chimneys (part);rebuilt two storey cast-iron verandah with Corinthian derived column order, panelled cast-iron frieze and brackets also dentilated gutter mould;dressed and quarry face blue stone faced, raised verandah floor;double-hung sash windows, with cemented architraves and arched lights at ground floor;substantial four-panel entry door with side and top light including a spoked fanlight;cast-iron double palisade front fence on dressed and rubble blue stone footings with cemented and scrolled side yard walls and piers (caps reconstructed); andthe contribution to small but valuable Edwardian and Victorian-era streetscape with the St James church complex adjoining, the arched fenestration matching that of the church.How is it significant?Mezrich-house, or Abraham Smith's house, later Don Henry Fulton's office is significant historically and aesthetically to West Melbourne.Why is it significant?Mezrich-house, or Abraham Smith's house, later Don Henry Fulton's office is significant.Historically, for the building's close link with the locally prominent Abraham Smith family and later as the long-term office of prize winning architect, D. H. Fulton; andAesthetically (as reconstructed), a well-preserved and large row house design with distinctive detailing and form, indicating a custom design; also a contributory part of a small Edwardian and Victorian-era precinct..VICTORIAN TITLES OFFICERecent Owners1959- Bonnie Vale of 411 Collins St, Melb part CA22/47 at West Melbourne Parish Plan North Melbourne1972 DH and JT Holdings Pty. Ltd. 26A Cotham Road, Kew1993 James A. R. Johnston, Hughesdale.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 21 March 1883`SMITH - On the 16th inst., at 5 Northumberland-terrace, William street, West Melbourne, the wife ofAbraham Smith of a daughter.'`The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Saturday 28 November 1885 Next issueSMITH.—On the 19th inst., at Mezrich-house, King- street, West Melbourne, the wife of Abraham Smith of a daughter (stillborn).`The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Monday 15 February 1886Detectives Ed. O'Donnell and Whitney on Saturday evening, at Fitzroy, took intocustody Michael M'Namara, a bootmaker, aged 47, and William Roberts, a labourer,aged 50, on charges of vagrancy ...went to M'Namara's house in Ryrie-street, Collingwood. There agold 15 day watch, valued at £50, a heavy gold Albert, several necklaces, and otherarticles of jewellery, besides precious stones, were found...The watch and Albert were subsequently identified as those stolen on the 11th inst. from Mr. Abraham Smith's residence, West Melbourne. A second charge of having stolen the latter articles was entered against M'Namara.`The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Saturday 5 October 1889 Next issueSMITH. —On the 26th ult., at Mezrich-house, King-street, the wife of Abraham Smith of a daughter.`Leader' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918) Saturday 13 July 1895DARING ROBBERY IN THE CITY.. After a prolonged period of immunity from any serious case of shop breaking, a well plannedand daringly executed robbery was perpetrated in the oily early on Monday morning at the pawn-broking establishment of Mr. Abraham Smith, Situate at the corner of Elizabeth and Lonsdale streets, immediately opposite St. Francis's , Church. Late on Saturday night the shop was locked up, and the more valuable articles of stock, as well as all the pawned goods, whose combined value amounted to about £2000, wore placed in two iron safes, which were located at the back of the shop…'`The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 2 October 1895DEATHSSMITH - On the 1st inst., at Mezrich, 439 King-street, West Melbourne, Alice, youngest daughter of Abraham and Julia Smith, aged 6 years.`The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Friday 24 November 1899SMITH.—On the 23rd November, at his residence,"Mezrich" 439 King-street, West Melbourne, Abraham, the beloved husband of Julia Smith, aged 63 years. M.H.S.R.I.P. Minyon 8 o'clock.`The Age' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Saturday 2 December 1899MRS. ABRAHAM SMITH and ' FAMILY desire to express their sincere and heartfelt. THANKS to their many kind friends for their visits, letters, cards and telegrams during their recent sad bereavement-`The Age' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Saturday 8 June 1901 Next issueSMITH. — The consecration of the tombstone erected to the memory of the late Mr. Abraham Smith, formerly of Mezrich House, King-street, West- Melbourne, will take place at the Melbourne General Cemetery to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon, at half-past 3 o clock.Jewish Herald (Vic. : 1879 - 1920) Friday 11 September 1903`On Wednesday, 1st September, the marriage of Samuel Visbord, of Perth, third eldest son of Mrs. Wolf Visbord, Elizabeth-street Melbourne, to Esther Rachel Smith, second daughter (of Mrs. Abraham Smith, of "Mezrich," King-street, West Melbourne, was celebrated at the Oddfellows' Hall, Victoria street, at 7 o'clock by the Rev. Dr. Abrahams, assisted by the Rev. S. M. Solomon and Rev. M. Saunders. The hall was prettily decorated with flags and fairy lamps. The bride wore a handsome gown of white duchesse satin, beautifully trimmed with chiffon, lace and orange blossom, etc., the veil being the one used by her mother on the occasion of her marriage, and looked exquisite. She was given away by her brother. There were six bridesmaids, three sisters and three cousins of the bride. Their dresses were white silk, beautifully made.'.i-Heritage search results: Abstract of Building Identification Form (BIF)439 KING STREET WEST MELBOURNE 3003Heritage GradingsBuilding Grading Streetscape Level Laneway LevelD 2Conservation Study DetailsPrecinct Conservation Management PlanConservation Study: Study and Date, StatusCentral Activities District Conservation Study - Graeme Butler, 1984 AdoptedBuilding and History InformationArchitectural StylePeriod 1876-99 - VictorianConstruction DateSource for Construction DateArchitectBuilder Not AssessedFirst OwnerIntegrity PoorCondition FairOriginal Building TypeHistory Not AssessedDescription/Notable FeaturesNotable features include fence.Statement of SignificanceRecommended AlterationsVerandah gone, fence and pillars cut back, garden paved over (all inappropriate - reinstate original design or sympathetic alternative)..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM 1987shows as DH Fulton architects office with no verandah, fence altered etc.North Melbourne M314 (10) parish planCA22/ 47 group of lots granted to Martin Walsh (1870).Probate, PROV`Abraham Smith Broker Melb 23 Nov 1899 73/765 VPRS 28/P0, unit 939; VPRS 28/P2, unit 533; VPRS 7591/P2, unit 298'Estate includes CS47 25x105' 10 room brick building…as in 1902, probate to widow Julia and daughter Hannah Smith at 439- detailed list of contents and jewellery.1984 RAIA membership directoryFormer office of Don Hendry Fulton 439 King Street: then verandah had been removed, since reinstated.(Now at Fulton Don Hendry PTY Ltd. ArchitectAddress: 152B Cochrane St, Brighton VIC 3186Phone:(03) 9596 6100).City of Melbourne Planning register online search results`Permit Number Description Date LodgedTP-2010-442 Construction of a verandah 16/06/2010Date Received 16/06/2010Address of Land 439 King Street WEST MELBOURNE VIC 3003 (Zone DDO33 )Applicant's Name and Address Restricted - Can be viewed at CouncilProposed Use or Development Construction of a verandahOfficer's Name Mark FriedrichsenObjections Received 0Application Status Permit IssuedDecision Permit - 2/09/2010TP-2009-132 Partial demolition of the rear of building and construction of a four level dwelling additions and alterations 4/03/2009TP-2005-184/E Deletion of basement car park and access ramp, construction of driveway at rear, addition of hot water service and tiles to balcony floor. 20/01/2009TP-2005-184/D Construct a balcony at rear of existing building, retain render at rear of existing building and construct side boundary fences and roller doors at rear. 5/09/2007TP-2005-184/B Construct a balcony at rear of existing building, remove render at rear of existing building and construct side boundary fences and rear gates 3/03/2006TP-2005-184/C Construct a balcony at rear of existing building, retain render at rear of existing building and construct side boundary fences and rear gates 3/03/2006TP-2006-121 Construct a front fence 15/02/2006Date Received 15/02/2006Address of Land 439 King Street WEST MELBOURNE VIC 3003 (Zone DDO33 )Applicant's Name and Address Restricted - Can be viewed at CouncilProposed Use or Development Construct a front fenceOfficer's Name Alister CampbellObjections Received 0Application Status Permit IssuedDecision Permit - 5/05/2006Expiry Date 5/05/2008.Don Fultonpersonal communicationMay 2016 states that he purchased the building with the verandah removed but has an image of the original façade. Moved in and painted the door green, landscaping the front. Did not know of the recent reinstatement, believes now owned by Asian interests.TP-2005-184/A Additional rooftop level 14/12/2005'..DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALLSands & McDougall Directory of Victoria(west side, Dudley & Batman or Franklin St)1955439 Standard Steel (1954) p/L engineers, structural1961439 Fulton, D H Architect1930411-415 Travellers' Aid Society, hostelBatman st439 Southern, Mrs Edith443 Molony, Geo. T.1925415 Allen, ThomasBatman st439 Syres, Robert443 Lording. Mrs 'Ararat445-7 Rly Dept Hostel—Turner, C. W.,mgr1904415 Hogan. Miss Mgt. T.. costumiereFranklin st439 Smith, Morris445 Manning, Daniel1893Franklin st439 Smith Abraham445 Cahill, Timothy447 Draeger Mrs Marie, boarding house449 Cottier, Mrs Ellen451 Agnew Mrs Bridget,453 Cahill Thomas M,,455 McCaffrey James,Dudley st1888Franklin stElliott, GeorgeWeller, William J300 Draeger, Mrs boarding houseAlfred terrace- ...1880FranklinElliott, GeorgeEnglish , Mrs Sarah.City of Melbourne Valuers Books1891 1841-2(Elliott)Abraham Smith owner-occupier BH 10 rooms 25x150' ₤80 plus adjoining fenced land 23x100 ₤50(Grimes)1885 1928(Land Mortgage Bank, Church of England Trust land 156x250 ₤45 )Abraham Smith occupier owner- Colonial Bank (crossed out to Smith) BH 10 rooms 25x150' ₤80 plus adjoining fenced land 23x100 ₤50(Kennedy, Jas Nation )1884, 1998,(row of 13 8room BH owned by Land Mortgage Bank adjoining Trust as in 1885Church of England Trust land 156x250 ₤45no further listings
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1211934
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105328 | 1 JPEG : 215 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |