Former Ropeworks Substation & Dining Hall
2 Waratah Street, GEELONG WEST VIC 3218 - Property No 211262
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Statement of Significance
C Citation - Local Significance
The former M. Donaghy and Sons Pty Ltd Ropeworks electric substation and dining hall buildings, 2 Waratah Street, Geelong West, have significance as a rare example of surviving early 20th century industrial infrastructure and as a physical legacy of a once vast ropeworks complex. The electric substation building appears to have been built by 1914-15 as part of the major remodelling and upgrading of the ropeworks factory. It survives as the only known early 20th century electric substation building in Geelong West and potentially the wider Geelong area. The former dining hall was built in 1942 and served both the day and night shift employees of M. Donaghy and Sons Pty Ltd Ropeworks as a canteen for hot meals and as an important facility for staff recreational activities. The electric substation building is predominantly intact and appears to be in fair-good condition. The dining hall has suffered vandalism and weather deterioration, and is moderately intact and in fair condition.
The former electric substation building, 2 Waratah Street, is architecturally and scientifically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2, E.1, F.1). It is a rare and locally striking example of early 20th century industrial design associated with electrical infrastructure in Geelong West from c.1914-15. The design qualities that contribute to its significance include the parapeted vertical pavilion on the street boundary, together with a lower gabled wing at the rear, symmetrical composition, face brick wall construction and the corrugated sheet metal roof cladding. Other intact or appropriate qualities include projecting concrete parapet cornice, five bays of rectangular electrical conductor outlets separated by projecting pilasters, brick corner piers and concrete panels on the front pavilion, and the brick parapeted rear gable with flat parapeted ends supported by corbels, side door opening with a concrete lintel and the timber door.
The former electric substation building and dining hall at 2 Waratah Street are historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A.4). They are associated with the development, remodelling and progression of the M. Donaghy and Sons Pty Ltd Ropeworks complex in the early 20th century and interwar period. Together with a small section of adjoining rope walk and an industrial building, the electric substation and dining hall are the only physical legacies of this once vast industrial enterprise that was one of the largest employers in Geelong West.
The former ropeworks dining hall at 2 Waratah Street is socially significant at a LOCAL level (AHC G.1). Although no longer serving its original purpose as a canteen and recreational facility for employees of the ropeworks operation, the building continues to be recognised by some sections of the community for these past associations.
Overall, the former electric substation and dining hall buildings at 2 Waratah Street, Geelong West, are of LOCAL significance.
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Former Ropeworks Substation & Dining Hall - Physical Description 1
Description
The former electrical substation building and ropeworks dining hall are set on a wider than average allotment for the area, compared to the residential blocks nearby. A high temporary cyclone wire fence surrounds the eastern and southern perimeters of the site.
The symmetrical, elevated single storey, face red brick, early 20th century industrial vernacular electrical substation building is characterised by a parapeted vertical pavilion on the street boundary, together with a lower gabled wing at the rear. The front pavilion has an early projecting concrete cornice at the base of the parapet, below which are five bays of rectangular electrical conductor outlets separated by projecting pilasters. The corners of the front pavilion are defined by uninterrupted piers that support the parapet cornice. A blank concrete panel with a dentillated base is a feature of the front facade, with similar blank panels (but without the dentillations) located on the side facade. The rear gabled wing has a brick parapeted end, the corners of the parapet being flat and corbelled. The roof is clad in corrugated sheet metal. Other early features of the design include the door opening on the west facade, having a concrete lintel and timber door.
The single storey, restrained late interwar Art Deco styled former dining hall building is characterised by an elongated gable roof form, together with a minor gable that projects towards the street frontage and minor wings that project from the west side. These roof forms are clad in early corrugated asbestos sheeting. Broad overhangs are features of the eaves. The building is constructed of cream brick with a red brick dado to window sill height.
An early and distinguishing feature of the design is the parapeted Art Deco entrance portico on the east facade, whereby the recessed entrance opening is flanked by projecting vertical parapeted pavilions separated by an elevated and rendered bay surmounted by a flagpole. A curved porch cantilevers above the recessed entrance.
The parapets to the flanking pavilions have vertical window openings that have been infilled. Other early features include the window openings (now infilled) and the surviving window sill on the east facade of the projecting front gabled wing.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Geelong - Ashby Heritage Review
Author: D Rowe and W Jacobs
Year: 2010
Grading:
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IRON STOREVictorian Heritage Register H0742
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ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCHVictorian Heritage Register H0187
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FORMER HARP INNVictorian Heritage Register H0585
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