Taxation Office, 436-450 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Taxation Office, 436-450 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105733
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2022:__________________________________________________Period: Inter-WarConstruction date: 1929-1930ASSOCIATIONS: Commonwealth Government;DESIGNER: Oakley and Parkes;BUILDER: McLennan BrothersNotable features: 1. Stone facing. 2. Moderne parapet details.GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYStatement of Significance(incomplete)Taxation Office Building436-450 Lonsdale StreetDescriptionUnusually stylised for a public building, the elevation appears to be constructed in two parts, the ground level and four upper levels being constructed in stone (polished granite and limestone?) and the uppermost two levels finished in cement. Where the lower levels indicate a conservative approach, the upper level extension has provided a stepped profile of protruding piers and levels and ornamentation after Jazz Moderne manner at the terminating fenestration strip. Laterally, the elevation consists of one broad central bay and two minor side bays, each possessing vertical window strips. Each window is generally separated by foliated spandrels but, as differentiation of the main facade element and secondary elements, the side facade bay spandrels are plain. At ground level the main entrance is symmetrically placed, but nevertheless grand in scale. Carved architraves, in the form of rope moulds and ... within, a multi-panelled large scaled door pair, provide for an effective entrance. Above the doors is the date, 1930, in Roman incised lettering and either side is smooth rusticated granite and regular rectangular fenestration. A string mould rules off this level and commences the fenestration strips previously described in the upper levels.External IntegrityThe windows appear reglazed, plant rooms are visible above the parapet line, but others are original. Windows have been closed in on the west elevation.StreetscapeHas some relationship to the Renaissance revival Lonsdale corner and its stepped profile and hillside site provide visual interest from a variety of viewpoints. It also has links to the opposing elevations, including the Law Courts annexe and for 441-445 Lonsdale Street..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites sources 81, 82 Yuncken Freeman Architects P/L 1976.. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Melbourne CBD Study Area 5, p.97; also RVIAJ 5.1930;.Yuncken Freeman Architects P/L 1976.. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Melbourne CBD Study Area 5, p.97-Government Taxation Office buildingAddress 435 - 450 Lonsdale StreetDate c. 1924Architect Oakley and Parkes (later additions by P.W.D.)Government Taxation Office (Original)Various Government Department Offices (Present)concrete encased steel, stone veneer part facade, ornate rendered plaster to upper two floors (later date).Well maintained externally, internal recently renovated and exempted from any recommendation given below.Style dominant criteriaRefer statement on Law Courts precinctHISTORYThis building stands on the site of a number of double-storey terrace houses and was built in 1924. The building very much conveys the business of the original client - the Taxation Department.ARCHITECTURALThe architects were Oakleigh and Parkes, and they have drawn upon the current "Wall Street" and Northern European influences for this building. The ground floor treatment is a reinterpretation of a Florentine Palazzo and is a particularly strong statement.In 1929, alteration work was carried out on this building and the top two floors added on by the P.W.D. (circa 1935). It may be assumed that the stepping in of the facade has resulted from light angles but the general detailing was out of sympathy with the original Oakleigh and Parkes facade. The additional two floors are faintly reminiscent of styles that grew out of the Rockefeller Centre with certain 'art decor' (sic) motives remaining.ANALYSISThis building is able to'-provide an important link between the Titles Office precinct and the Law Courts precinct. The building's lower floors are in sympathy with the Titles Office building's Lonsdale Street facade, and may contribute to the setting of a pattern for future buildings opposite the Law Courts. The interior of the building has been completely remodelled in the early 1970's and differs little from the average multi-storey building.RECOMMENDATIONThis building is suggested as suitable for registration in taking into account its linking ministry with Titles Office and the maturity of the lower four storeys street elevation..HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSThe Taxation Office was built in 1924 to a design by architects Oakley and Parkes. The two top floors were added by the PWD in 1935. The design of the building conveys a deliberate attempt to marry the Renaissance style of the adjacent Titles Office with the "Wall Street" image of a modern financial building. It is a notable indicator of the early establishment of the Commonwealth Government in Melbourne..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Wednesday 12 December 1928 - Page 21https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3974908NEW TAXATION OFFICE.SPACIOUS BUILDING PLANNED.Contract for Erection Let.Following the decision of the State Minsters to provide a new building in Lonsdale street for the accommodation of the Federal and State Taxation offices a contract for the erection of the building w as let yesterday The contractors are Messrs s McLennan Bros of East Malvern. The total cost of the building, including lighting, heating and electrical equipment, a hot water system, and telephones and elevators will be ₤102,000.The building may be erected on in L shaped site in Lonsdale street adjoining the Office of Titles, having a frontage of 132ft 6in and a depth of 144ft 8inch.-Light is available on all sides The accommodation to be provided consists five floors and flat roof, of steel and reinforced concrete, giving a net floor at 32,000 square feet and in designing. the building provision has been made in the foundations and superstructure for the election of five additional floors in the future The interior of the building has been planned to suit the particular requirements of the departmentsParticulars mention has been given to the comfort of the staff, which number approximately 400 and the offices will be heated with hot water radiators the necessary equipment being in the basementA hot-water service will be installed A large luncheon room will be available for the staff with kitchen attachedThe facade to Lonsdale street will be finished in Victorian stone, using Harcourt granite to the first floor level, forming the base, and Stawell stone above In view of the proposal to extend the height of the building in the future no overhanging cornice will be provided, but a deeply enriched entablature will form a very pleasing finish to the frontAll the joinery work to the interior of the building will be Victorian blackwood of hardwood and Victorian marble will be used in the main entrance, elevator lobby and the main stair The architects are Messrs Oakley and Parkes, McEwan House.see also https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204255827
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105733 | 1 PDF : 872 KB ; A5 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |