FORMER KENSINGTON PROPERTY EXCHANGE, OFFICE, SHOP AND RESIDENCES

166-168 BELLAIR STREET KENSINGTON, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

FORMER KENSINGTON PROPERTY EXCHANGE, OFFICE, SHOP AND RESIDENCES SOHE 2008

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    FORMER KENSINGTON PROPERTY EXCHANGE, OFFICE, SHOP AND RESIDENCES - History

    Contextual History:History of Place:
    In September 1875 the Flemington/Kensington ward of the Borough of Essendon and Flemington had only fifty houses altogether, with only six situated between Racecourse Road and North Melbourne. The boom years of the 1880s brought unprecedented growth to the area, and Kensington’s main thoroughfare, Macaulay Road and its points of intersection with BellairStreet and Rankins Road spawned a thriving commercial centre. Similarly to Racecourse Road, a pocket of enterprises arose from the saleyards nearby, but increasingly into the 1880s local businesses began to diversify into a variety of ventures.
    
    By 1890 both sides of the streets in the Kensington hub were lined by shops, with butchers, grocers, bootmakers, bakers, newsagents and fruiterers competing for business. Another newcomer was the Kensington Skating Rink, built in 1889 and situated on the north west corner of the Smith Street intersection. In Bellair Street, James Wales reaped the benefits of the boom by establishing the Kensington Property Exchange in 1885, the first estate agency in the commercial centre. In 1890 he was joined, a few doors away, by competitors, Messrs Holmes & Glide, who established their real estate exchange, insurance and finance business just over the road from Kensington station. By 1892 another rival firm, S.C. Arnold & Co., had opened in the same street in a shop prominently situated on the corner of Macaulay Road.
    
    
    HISTORY OF PLACE
    
    
    The former Kensington Property Exchange was designed by E Owen Hughes and built by Rowse & Son, of North Melbourne. The foundation stone was laid on 28 October 1891 by Mrs James Wales, whose husband was the owner of the property. Wales had initially established his real estate business in 1885 in a humble shop situated two doors down from the new building. The towered, two-storey office and residence which stood prominently on the corner of Bellair and Wight Streets reflected his success as well as the rise in Kensington land sales. James Wales was a councillor of Kensington & Flemington, and in 1899 he was elected Mayor of Flemington.
    
    On the completion of the new premises, Wales set up his business in the ground floor chamber and moved his residence to the upper levels. The less opulent, other half of the building, also comprising a shop and residence, was let to the designing architect, Edward Owen Hughes. Next door was the business of another local architect, Harry Lording, and a little further down Bellair Street resided John Wales, painter, paper hanger and house decorator.
    
    
    No.168 Bellair Street
    Wales continued to work and reside at the Property Exchange building until the early 1920s, when the office became tenanted by another real estate agent, W. Johnson. Wales remained in the upstairs residence until the late 1920s. During the 1930s and 1940s E. J. Nelson lived in the residence, while the printer A. Potts occupied the shop/office. Nelson remained in the residence into the 1950s, while Mrs M. Nelson manufactured knitted goods in the shop.
    
    No.166 Bellair Street
    In 1896 the Sydenham Ladies School moved to the shop and residence comprising the other half of the grand Property Exchange building. Run by the principal, Miss Marie de Koch and artist Netta. de Koch, the school formerly operated from 25 Henry Street, Kensington. Pupils were coached for matriculation and university examinations in subjects that included Music, French, Latin, Singing, Drawing, Gymnastics and Elocution. Dancing classes for younger girls were held on Wednesday afternoons. The de Koch’s school was still operating by 1914, but by 1919 a tailor, Percy Liddle had moved into the shop and residence. By the late 1920s Emma Taylor occupied the residence, while L. Bernstein ran the shop as an iron mongery and post office. In the 1930s and 1940s Miss M. Conroy lived in the residence and operated a dressmaking business in the shop. Another dressmaker, Mrs R. N. Hall, lived at the address and ran her business in the shop during the 1950s.
    
    Today, both 166 and 168 Bellair Street are occupied as private houses.
    
    
    The Architect - Edward Owen Hughes
    Little is known of the architect Edward Owen Hughes. In 1889 and 1890 Hughes called tenders for a number of weatherboard cottages and brick residences and shops in and around Kensington. Hughes was still practising in 1906 because during that year he was noted as the architect for a brick and wooden cottage in Ormond Street Kensington
    
    During 1890 Hughes was the winner of a design competition for new municipal offices for the Williamstown council. Unfortunately the council was not happy with the selected design and considered seeking the help of the President of the Institute of Architects. In July 1890 the council resolved to recommend that Hughes withdraw his design as certain discrepancies were discovered in the documents. In the end the proposal to construct new premises was abandoned and it was not until 1914 that it was resurrected.

    Permit Exemptions

    FORMER KENSINGTON PROPERTY EXCHANGE, OFFICE, SHOP AND RESIDENCES - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

    Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    EXEMPTIONS FROM PERMITS:
    
    INTERIOR DECORATIVE SCHEMES
    Interior painting and wall-papering, provided the preparation work does not
    remove evidence of the building's original paint or other decorative scheme.
    The finishes in the stair off the ground floor chamber at No.168, and the
    finish of all original cupboards, fireplaces and overmantles in both buildings
    are to be conserved.
    Removal of existing carpets / flexible floor coverings eg vinyl.
    Installation of carpets and flexible floor coverings
    Installation of curtain tracks, rods, blinds and other window dressings.
    Installation of hooks, nails and other devices for the hanging of paintings,
    mirrors, and other wall-mounted works of art.
    
    REFURBISHMENT OF BATHROOMS, TOILETS, KITCHENS
    Refurbishment of bathroom /toilet / ensuites including removal of existing
    sanitary fixtures and associated piping, mirrors, and wall and floor
    coverings, and installation of new fixtures, and wall and floor coverings.
    Removal of existing kitchen benches and fixtures (stoves, dishwashers etc.)
    and floor coverings and installation of new kitchen benches and fixtures,
    including associated plumbing and wiring.
    
    INSTALLATION OF SERVICES/GENERAL WORKS
    Installation of hydronic, or concealed radiant (Ceiling Foil Radiant Heating
    or under carpet heating) type heating, provided that the installation does not
    damage existing skirtings, architraves and the location of the heating unit
    (boiler etc) is concealed from view.
    Installation of bulk insulation to the roof space.
    Re-wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed and any original
    light switches, pull cords, or GPO's are retained in-situ. Note : If wiring
    is original to the building, timber conduits should be left in situ rather
    than removed.
    Installation of smoke detectors.
    Installation of damp-proofing by either injection method, or "grouted pocket"
    method.
    
    SIGNAGE
    Existing signage may be altered/replaced provided that the new sign is no
    larger than the existing, is located in the same position and that no
    internally signage is used.
    Erection/painting of signage which conforms to the National Trust Technical
    Bulletin on signage.
    
    SITE/GARDEN WORKS
    Fencing and gates may be altered, extended or replaced provided the materials
    remain the same.
    Erection of small outbuildings including sheds, aviaries, kennels, poultry
    sheds and the like, with the exception of "period " style gazebos, at the rear
    of the registered building provided that the outbuilding is no larger than 10
    m2 in floor area and no higher than 2400mm high.
    Installation of garden watering systems.
    Laying of gravel toppings, bitumen, concrete, brick or stone flag paving. The
    stone paving in the rear yard of No. 168 must be conserved.
    
    REMOVAL OF EXTRANEOUS EXTERNAL ITEMS
    Removal of air-conditioners / pipework / wiring / antennae / aerials / and
    making good. General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object. General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface component. General Conditions: 3. All works should be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable. Regular Site Maintenance : The following site maintenance works are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995: a) regular site maintenance provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) the maintenance of an item to retain its conditions or operation without the removal of or damage to the existing fabric or the introduction of new materials; c) cleaning including the removal of surface deposits, organic growths, or graffiti by the use of low pressure water and natural detergents and mild brushing and scrubbing; d) repairs, conservation and maintenance to plaques, memorials, roads and paths, fences and gates and drainage and irrigation. e) the replacement of existing services such as cabling, plumbing, wiring and fire services that uses existing routes, conduits or voids, and does not involve damage to or the removal of significant fabric. Note: Surface patina which has developed on the fabric may be an important part of the item's significance and if so needs to be preserved during maintenance and cleaning. Note: Any new materials used for repair must not exacerbate the decay of existing fabric due to chemical incompatibility, obscure existing fabric or limit access to existing fabric for future maintenance. Repair must maximise protection and retention of fabric and include the conservation of existing details or elements. Fire Suppression Duties : The following fire suppression duties are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) Fire suppression and fire fighting duties provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) Fire suppression activities such as fuel reduction burns, and fire control line construction, provided all significant historical and archaeological features are appropriately recognised and protected; Note: Fire management authorities should be aware of the location, extent and significance of historical and archaeological places when developing fire suppression and fire fighting strategies. The importance of places listed in the Heritage Register must be considered when strategies for fire suppression and management are being developed. Weed and Vermin Control : The following weed and vermin control activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) Weed and vermin control activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; Note: Particular care must be taken with weed and vermin control works where such activities may have a detrimental affect on the significant fabric of a place. Such works may include the removal of ivy, moss or lichen from an historic structure or feature, or the removal of burrows from a site that has archaeological values. Landscape Maintenance : * The process of gardening, including mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, removal of dead shrubs and replanting the same species or cultivar, disease and weed control, and maintenance to care for existing plants. * Repairs, conservation, and maintenance to hard landscape elements, buildings and structures, fountains and monuments, steps, paths, paths and gutters, drainage and irrigation systems, edging, fences and gates. * Removal of dead or dangerous trees and vegetation, works to maintain fire safety and to conserve significant buildings and structures and emergency works, provided a report is submitted to the Executive Director within 21 days. * Replanting the same plant species which conserves the significant landscape character and values including specimen trees, avenues, rows, shrubberies, flower beds, and lawns, provided a list and plan is submitted to the Executive Director for approval. * Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Pruning of Amenity Trees AS 4373-1996. * Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Protection of Trees on Development Sites AS 4970-2009 * Subsurface works involving the installation, removal or replacement of watering and drainage systems or services, outside the canopy edge of significant trees in accordance with .AS4970 and on the condition that works do not impact on archaeological features or deposits. * Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 * Vegetation protection and management of the possum and rabbit population. * Repainting the same colour of previously painted surfaces Public Safety and Security : The following public safety and security activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) public safety and security activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground structures or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) the erection of temporary security fencing, scaffolding, hoardings or surveillance systems to prevent unauthorised access or secure public safety which will not adversely affect significant fabric of the place including archaeological features; c) development including emergency stabilisation necessary to secure safety where a site feature has been irreparably damaged or destabilised and represents a safety risk to its users or the public. Note: Urgent or emergency site works are to be undertaken by an appropriately qualified specialist such as a structural engineer, or other heritage professional. Signage and Site Interpretation : The following Signage and Site Interpretation activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) signage and site interpretation activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground structures or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) the erection of non-illuminated signage for the purpose of ensuring public safety or to assist in the interpretation of the heritage significance of the place or object and which will not adversely affect significant fabric including landscape or archaeological features of the place or obstruct significant views of and from heritage values or items; c) signage and site interpretation products must be located and be of a suitable size so as not to obscure or damage significant fabric of the place; d) signage and site interpretation products must be able to be later removed without causing damage to the significant fabric of the place; Note: The development of signage and site interpretation products must be consistent in the use of format, text, logos, themes and other display materials. Note: Where possible, the signage and interpretation material should be consistent with other schemes developed on similar or associated sites. It may be necessary to consult with land managers and other stakeholders concerning existing schemes and strategies for signage and site interpretation. Mineral Exploration : The following Mineral Exploration activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) mineral Exploration activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) preliminary non-intrusive exploration, including geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and geochemical sampling and access to shafts and adits; c) advanced forms of exploration (drilling), including the location of drill pads and access tracks where this has been the subject of on-site negotiation and agreement with representatives of Heritage Victoria, DSE and Parks Victoria, and where all significant historic site features have been identified and protected as part of an approved work plan. Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works must submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.

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• Public contributions

  Notes See all notes

  Third Great Grandfather

  17/06/19

  James Wales was my third great grandfather (my Father's Mother's side). I would love to visit or even rent here one day!