Freemasons Hall (Formerly Geelong Unity & Prudence Lodge)
79 Gheringhap Street, GEELONG VIC 3220 - Property No 213872
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Statement of Significance
C Listed - Local Significance
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Architecturally, this Masonic hall shows a typically innovatory approach to the strict iconography of the Masonic craft by tow of Geelong's best-known architects, Percy Everett and J Angus Laird. It also represents the first structure to be custom-designed for the Geelong Lodge, which itself is on of the oldest in the State. It is remarkably well preserved externally and faithfully represent the aesthetic choices made by some of Geelong's foremost citizens of the time and one of its most celebrated designers, Percy Everett, as demonstrated in the praise meted out the Geelong Advertiser. It also plays a role in the Geelong's civic thoroughfare, Gheringhap Street, with its fine array of notable public and ecclesiastic structures.
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Freemasons Hall (Formerly Geelong Unity & Prudence Lodge) - Physical Description 1
Reminiscent of Percy Everett's Peace Memorial, the main facade possesses the conservative Classical revival framework expected of a Masonic Hall, but it is executed in a more innovatory way than the comparable examples of the era. Fro example, the Masonic hall in Dandenong Road, Malvern is a typical Classical revival, Neo-grec design, compared to the free treatment used here and on the Collingwood Masonic Temple.
Composed in three parts, the centre bay holds the Doric porch and balconette, but the main element here is the tall-arched window above, configures as an exaggerated serlian motif.
Contemporary Greek revival elements, such as the lattice-pattern window mullions in the flanking window strips, connect ht e building with main-stream architectural work, such as the former Port Authority Building, Melbourne. Similarly, detailing is achieved structurally by the use of face-brick in patterns and projecting panels, rather than the traditional cement. The impressive verticality of the three-storeys on the facade translates to two on the side and rear elevations. Similarly, red-brick walling replaces the more expensive manganese but the custom-pattern of the metal-framed window mullions is continued on the rear elevation.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Geelong - Geelong City Urban Conservation Study
Author: Graeme Butler
Year: 1993
Grading:
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FORMER GEELONG WOOL EXCHANGEVictorian Heritage Register H0622
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FORMER SCOTTISH CHIEFS HOTELVictorian Heritage Register H0662
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GEELONG TOWN HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0184
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