Williams Building
91-95 Gray St HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton
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Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: Designed by Seabrook and Fildes and built by Reg Williams, this is a keystone building in the streetscapes of both Gray and Thompson Streets. Originally built for Williams The Shoeman.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Williams Building
91-95 Gray Street
This shop and office building has local significance for its architectural interest as the original Williams The Shoeman store and offices constructed in the late 1930s by the Hamilton builder, Reginald Williams, from the designs of the notable architects, Seabrooke and Fildes. ([i]) This architectural firm was associated with the designs for the former Uren's Pharmacy diagonally opposite in 1940, Scullions, 196 Gray Street in 1938, the remodelling, in 1937, of the former Miller's Department Store at 121 Gray Street and the remodelling of the Argyle Arms and George Hotels. ([ii]) The building is another of the firm's successful exercises in massing, taking full advantage of the corner site. Unlike the stylish Pharmacy it does not use a curved corner. It uses innovative materials such as steel windows, textured bricks, terrazzo, nickel plated shop windows and Vitrolite glass facings from America. It lacks but does not need the glass block tower found in their other work relying instead on the carved brick sculpture and the panel of brickwork above the office entrance. Fildes gave Williams the design and specification of a house, 355 Gray Street, for a wedding present.
The building is significantly intact and in excellent condition. It is a keystone building in the streetscape of both Gray and Thompson Street commanding, as it does, over their intersection.
[i] Conversation with Mrs Christie, Reg Williams' daughter, 16 May 1991; HSA DP No. 283 (Drainage Plan, Uren's Pharmacy, dated 24 February, 1939).
[ii] RVIAJ, May 1937, p 72; Argus, 25 November 1937.
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Williams Building - Physical Description 1
MATERIALS:
Roof:
Walls: face brick
Dressings: cement render
Plinth: tiles
Windows: steel first floor windows
Paving: terrazzo steps?
Other: nickel plated shop windows
Vitrolite facings
black glazed tiles
NOTABLE FEATURES:Sculptured brick figure and use of innovative materialsWilliams Building - Historical Australian Themes
ASSOCIATED HISTORIC THEMES
Evolution of the Town: 1930s
Tertiary Industry: Shoe retailingWilliams Building - Integrity
Integrity: G
Williams Building - Physical Conditions
Conditions: E
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - City of Hamilton Conservation Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard with Carlotta Kellaway & Michael Looker (plus Francis Punch)
Year: 1991
Grading: C
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MECHANICS INSTITUTEVictorian Heritage Register H2171
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HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENSVictorian Heritage Register H2185
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HAMILTON GAS HOLDERVictorian Heritage Register H1086
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