Prahran Club, former Prahran Tradesmen's Club
258-262 High Street WINDSOR, STONNINGTON CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Prahran Club, formerly the Prahran Tradesmen's Club, at 258-262 High Street, Windsor. The first part of the building, overlooking Hornby Street, was designed by architect Ernest Willis c1911. A new facade to High Street was added in the early 1920s, to a design by architects Sale & Keage.
How is it significant?
The Prahran Club is of local architectural, historical and social significance to the City of Stonnington.
Why is it significant?
Architecturally, the c1911 part of the building is a very unusual and creative example of the Free Classical style, seen in the elongated piers extending above the parapets and their delicate detailing, and the variation of geometric forms among the seven separate parapets. The attention to detail is continued in the 1920s Beaux Arts classical facade by Sale & Keage. (Criterion E)
Historically and socially, for its origins as a private workingmen's club. Such clubs provided an important social space for members of working class communities in Melbourne's industrial inner city. Its community use is continued today by the Prahran Mission. (Criteria A & G)
Historically, for its associations with Ernest Willis. Willis was a Prahran local, who designed a number of local landmark buildings, including the Prahran Mechanics' Institute, Fawkner Mansions - Melbourne's earliest purpose-built flats, and the Prahran Creche. He was also very involved in political and community organisations. He was a member of the Prahran City Council (1908-20), serving as Mayor in 1913-14 and 1918-19. He was also vice-president of the Alfred Hospital board (1925-41), and served on the Tramways Board, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, and as Secretary of the Prahran branch of the National Party. He was appointed an OBE as a leader of patriotic movements in Victoria in 1920. (Criterion H)
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Prahran Club, former Prahran Tradesmen's Club - Physical Description 1
The Prahran Club is located at the south-east corner of High and Hornby streets. It is a single-storey building constructed to the allotment boundaries. It was constructed in two very apparent and contrasting stages. The bulk of the building was constructed of red brick and render c1911. The west elevation fronts Hornby Street. The northernmost bay and High Street facade were constructed in the early 1920s and have rendered masonry walls.
The c1911 rear section of the building is in the Arts & Crafts style, and reflects the influence of architect Robert Haddon. This very long elevation is broken up into seven bays of irregular size by narrow engaged piers that project above the parapet wall. The parapet form varies from bay to bay: some are flat, some have a raised semicircle or triangle at their centre, and two have a semicircular cutout at their centre above an oculus. The windows also vary in form: the largest ones are double-hung sashes below arched leadlight fanlights, others are tiny rectangular windows in rows of threes and fours. One bay has no windows but is articulated by four rendered strips on its upper walls. There is a door in the second-to-last bay with an arched fanlight. The whole elevation is unified by a rendered band, which differs in level from bay to bay, and the piers between the bays. Each pier has four or five rendered strips across it. The projecting rendered tops of the piers have a moulded cornice and elegant asymmetrical chamfers on the edges. They remain unpainted.
The 1925 front bay and facade is much more restrained in its articulation. The smooth rendered walls are topped by a vestigial pediment, with acroteria at the corners and a relief wreath at the centre below a timber flagpole. There is a central doorway with two windows on each side. The openings are inset between shallow Doric-like pilasters, including the highlight to the front doors. The sash windows have simple, geometric leadlights with the monogram 'PC' at the centre of a blue Art Deco design. Above the doorway is a small cantilevered verandah with pressed metal ribbed and circular patterns on the fascia (partially removed and/or covered). Ventilation grilles below each window have an incised Greek cross motif.
The Hornsby Street elevation is in good to fair condition, as many of the windows have been boarded up and the bricks grafittied, but it appears to be sound. The 1920s front section is in good condition, with some peeling paint.
Prahran Club, former Prahran Tradesmen's Club - Historical Australian Themes
Themes from Stonnington Thematic Enivronmental History:
10.3.5 Working class self-help
10.3.3 Prahran Mission
Heritage Study and Grading
Stonnington - Churches and Halls in the City of Stonnington - Heritage Citations Project 2010
Author: Context Pty Ltd
Year: 2010
Grading: A2
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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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