PORT OF MELBOURNE AUTHORITY BUILDING (FORMER)
29-31 MARKET STREET MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
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Statement of Significance
This place is included on the Victorian Heritage Inventory, for its potential to contain historical archaeological remains associated with the settlement and growth of early Melbourne. Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017 there is protection for all historical archaeology sites and objects in the state.
Please visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out more about the Heritage Inventory.
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PORT OF MELBOURNE AUTHORITY BUILDING (FORMER) - History
Heritage Inventory History of Site: Date of first documented occupation, 1835Heritage Inventory Description
PORT OF MELBOURNE AUTHORITY BUILDING (FORMER) - Heritage Inventory Description
Building on site, 1837 (Smith). 1855 - Hotel. Savings Bank built 1856-64.1877 - Saving Bank & House.1888 - Savings Bank, House & building.1905 - same buildings, & two others.
Heritage Inventory Significance: Source: Recommendation to the Minister, 1977 (to add to GBR):FindingsThe building must be seen as one of the most significant examples in Melbourne of 20th century revival architecture. While there are a number of comparative examples in the city of office buildings from this period (Mail Exchange, Nicholas Building, old A.M.P Building) this is a unique example. It is a stone faced building (in comparison to other brick and stucco examples). It represents the Greek revival of the period in a restrained and well considered manner. While it abstracts the various elements of this style in a manner typical of the period, it is careful to give the major elements appropriate consideration. It includes exceptionally well detailed and in many respects magnificent interior spaces. On historical grounds, while this building is no more than 47 years old, it is important in respect of its site and that site's long association with shipping in Melbourne and it is also important in maintaining that link with shipping through the nineteenth and early years of the twentieth century to the present day, ie. while the old customs house represents the prosperity and activities of shipping in that area during the nineteenth century, the Harbour Trust building represents not only the prosperity of shipping, but the continued connection and changing role of the area to that of an administrative nature during the first half of the twentieth century. Source: Report to Minister, 1993 (to add to HBR) - Statement of Significance:The former Port Authority Building, which was commenced in 1929 and completed in 1931, is architecturally important as one of the most significant examples in Victoria of twentieth century revival architecture. It is based on the Ionic order in monumental construction. Constructed at the commencement of the Depression, the former Port Authority Building is an extraordinary and unusual example of building with high detail and craftsmanship erected during a period of economic recession.The former Port Authority Building is historically significant in its ability to indicate the importance of the Port Authority Trust at the time of the building's construction. It is also significant in providing a memorial to the demise of the Trust as the importance of containerised shipping and sea travel diminished with the increase in road and air cargo traffic.The former Port Authority Building is significant in its ability to indicate the importance of the link between the Port and the adjacent Customs House.The former Port Authority Building is also architecturally important as one of the best finished buildings in Melbourne with the internal and external detailing demonstrating particularly outstanding craftsmanship and the notable application of decorative schemes and materials in construction. This includes the elaborate use of marble and wood panelling in, particularly, the ground floor entrance, lift lobby and office area, and on the first floor including the Board Room and Commissioner's Office, along with the external use of polished granite and Stawell stone.
Archeological Potential: Extant bldg Fabric,Potential/Disturbed,Site
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FORMER ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TRAINING DEPOTVictorian Heritage Register H0717
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MITRE TAVERNVictorian Heritage Register H0464
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MELBOURNE SAVAGE CLUBVictorian Heritage Register H0025
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