Former Reads Store
325 Chapel Street & 220 Commercial Road, and 220 Commercial Road PRAHRAN, STONNINGTON CITY
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Statement of Significance
The former Read's Stores, designed by the architectural firm of Sydney Smith & Ogg and completed in 1915, is of Regional architectural, historic and social importance.
Architecturally, the building is one of the most elaborate large scale commercial buildings in Melbourne and is one of the few buildings to display the influence of the English Baroque Revival. Notable elements include the oval windows at the first floor, the overall rustication, the curved corner element and especially the domed towers with their curved volute brackets, circular windows and ribbed green painted domes. The verandah is an unusual and elaborate example and one of the few elaborate examples built before WW1 to survive. The giant order Corinthian columns are an important example of the new-classical revival of the 1910s and 20s, while the twin domed towers are unique structures, giving the building great prominence and providing landmarks that can be seen from great distances.
The significance of the building is somewhat diminished by the loss of the rear wall and much of the interiors in the renovation of 1978/79. Some elaborate columns and coffered ceiling remain however, and form part of the classification.
Historically and socially, the building is important as the major and most prominent example of the remarkable series of large department stores which once lined the west side of Chapel Street up to High Street. From c.1910 until perhaps the `950s, Chapel Street was the major shopping destination outside the CBD, closely followed by Smith Street, Collingwood. Fed by a cable car and from 1913 by the rapidly expanding electric tram system in the equally rapidly expanding south eastern suburbs, Chapel Street rivalled Bourke Street in importance in the 1910s and 20s
Classified: 03/07/1998
Revised: 06/07/1998
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PRIMARY SCHOOL NO. 1467Victorian Heritage Register H1032
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PRAHRAN TOWN HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0203
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FORMER POLICE STATION AND COURT HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0542
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