Northcote Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall
496 High Street NORTHCOTE, Darebin City
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Statement of Significance
The hall is an unusual example of a World War One memorial hall, distinguished by its curved entry colonnade and forecourt design with broken column monument. The architectural style probably reflects the influence of war service on its designer and the continuing influence of the European Beaux Arts in Victorian architectural circles. It is also the first major project for the prolific and notes designer Harry Norris, and provides a contrast with his later Moderne style. It has served as a public building for many years in the city and remains the focus for commemoration of sacrifices made in war by the municipality's residents.
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Northcote Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall - Physical Description 1
The Memorial Hall had been designed in a classical style, fashionable for contemporary buildings and reflecting the Beaux Arts traditions of architectural training of Europe and North America. The Beaux Arts style was considered appropriate where monumentality was required such as war memorials.
The single storey rendered building is set back from the street, creating a small forecourt enclosed by curved garden walls with a broken column on a pedestal in the centre. The entrance is marked by an inverse curve articulated by a Doric colonnade. Wall surfaces are rusticated and the windows have restrained classical surrounds. The parapet contains panels inscribed with names of places that were the scenes of significant battles.
Alterations include the replacement of most of the leadlight windows with aluminium framed obscured glazing, the replacement of the entry doors, the replacement of the basalt garden borders with concrete, and the painting of the rendered finish
Veterans Description for Public
Northcote Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall - Veterans Description for Public
The Northcote Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, located on 496 High Street, commemorates the First World War. Two thousand Northcote men enlisted for service in the First World War, one-eighth were killed in action. An honour roll in their memory was erected in the town hall vestibule in 1918. Additional funds were raised for the construction of a memorial hall for the use of those who had returned. The Northcote council contributed £2,500 of the total £6,000 finished cost of the building.
The Hall is an unusual example of a First World War memorial hall, distinguished by its curved entry colonnade and forecourt design with broken column monument. The architectural style probably reflects the influence of war service on its designer and the continuing influence of the European Beaux Arts in Victorian architectural circles. It is also the first major project for the prolific and notes designer Harry Norris. The Hall has served as a public building for many years in the city and remains the focus for commemoration of sacrifices made in war by the municipality's residents.
Heritage Study and Grading
Darebin - Darebin Heritage Review
Author: Andrew Ward
Year: 2000
Grading:
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FORMER LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR HOME FOR THE AGEDVictorian Heritage Register H1950
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FORMER NORTHCOTE THEATREVictorian Heritage Register H2287
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BASTING STREET HOUSESVictorian Heritage Inventory
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