Melbourne Flinders Street 326-332, Commerce House
Melbourne Central Activities District (CAD) Conservation Study 1985 survey images: approx 1200 Kodak colour negatives.
See librarysearch.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ...
GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDY
Statement of Significance
History
(Refer 318-24 Flinders Street)
Appropriately sited opposite Victoria's foremost railway station, this building was a speculative adjunct to the Commercial Travellers' Association Building, adjoining on the east (qv). The Tompkins Brothers (and the builder, John Carter) were again instrumental in constructing this six-storey four shops and a Warehouse, completing the work in 1913. By 1920 the numerous tenants were almost wholly importers, manufacturer's or customs agents of one type or another, with some professional and tradespeople thrown in. Francis R. Barlow, architect, was side by side with F.R. Barlow &Sons, indent agents; John T. Horner, timber merchant, with Horner &Monett. Pty. Ltd., sawmillers; and the building firm, F.R. Shillbeer had an office on the first floor, along with the Melbourne Sample Rooms, who were located on all floors. The Victorian Master Carriers. Storekeepers and Traders,' and the Master Drapers' Associations all had rooms on the upper floors.
Many of these tenants were still listed here twenty years later.
Description
Stripped of the parent C.T.A. Building's profuse Baroque ornament, this building (timber windows apart) resembles more the austere office facades, erected after the War. A heavy, Baroque flavoured balconette and rusticated base are the obvious links with the C.T.A., but some resemblance is also achieved at the parapet cornice (more restrained brackets) and the bayed facade composition below. The lamp standards on each balcony pier are an exotic touch. It is assumed that, like the C.T.A., this is an early all steel framed building.
External Integrity
Part shopfronts replaced, verandah detail gone.
Streetscape
Part of a strong streetscape unit, achieved through some coincidence of the mould among the C.T.A., Commerce House and the Reid Building (318-40) and all facades, with some wall materials shared. The modern corner, 342-348, has comparatively sympathetic elevations to these facades. major second level string general classical revival of Flinders Street
Significance
As near original Edwardian office block which differed from the adjacent warehouse use, but concurred visually with the important C.T.A. and Reid Buildings, also an early wholly steel-framed structure in Victoria.
Melbourne Flinders Street 326-332, Commerce House
Melbourne Central Activities District (CAD) Conservation Study 1985 survey images: approx 1200 Kodak colour negatives.
See librarysearch.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ...
GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDY
Statement of Significance
History
(Refer 318-24 Flinders Street)
Appropriately sited opposite Victoria's foremost railway station, this building was a speculative adjunct to the Commercial Travellers' Association Building, adjoining on the east (qv). The Tompkins Brothers (and the builder, John Carter) were again instrumental in constructing this six-storey four shops and a Warehouse, completing the work in 1913. By 1920 the numerous tenants were almost wholly importers, manufacturer's or customs agents of one type or another, with some professional and tradespeople thrown in. Francis R. Barlow, architect, was side by side with F.R. Barlow &Sons, indent agents; John T. Horner, timber merchant, with Horner &Monett. Pty. Ltd., sawmillers; and the building firm, F.R. Shillbeer had an office on the first floor, along with the Melbourne Sample Rooms, who were located on all floors. The Victorian Master Carriers. Storekeepers and Traders,' and the Master Drapers' Associations all had rooms on the upper floors.
Many of these tenants were still listed here twenty years later.
Description
Stripped of the parent C.T.A. Building's profuse Baroque ornament, this building (timber windows apart) resembles more the austere office facades, erected after the War. A heavy, Baroque flavoured balconette and rusticated base are the obvious links with the C.T.A., but some resemblance is also achieved at the parapet cornice (more restrained brackets) and the bayed facade composition below. The lamp standards on each balcony pier are an exotic touch. It is assumed that, like the C.T.A., this is an early all steel framed building.
External Integrity
Part shopfronts replaced, verandah detail gone.
Streetscape
Part of a strong streetscape unit, achieved through some coincidence of the mould among the C.T.A., Commerce House and the Reid Building (318-40) and all facades, with some wall materials shared. The modern corner, 342-348, has comparatively sympathetic elevations to these facades. major second level string general classical revival of Flinders Street
Significance
As near original Edwardian office block which differed from the adjacent warehouse use, but concurred visually with the important C.T.A. and Reid Buildings, also an early wholly steel-framed structure in Victoria.