Coles Fossey
117 Gray St HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton
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Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: One of the largest shop buildings in Gray Street, this dominates the highest ground with its two stories. It is in fact older buildings refurbished.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Coles-Fossey Building
109-115 Gray Street
This building has local significance for its architectural interest and for its historical associations with the Coles-Fossey firm and, earlier, with David Laidlaw & Co. and with A Miller & Co., the owners of Miller's Department Store at 121 Gray Street. Structural alterations were made to the building for David Laidlaw & Co. c1936. ([i]) The architect for these alterations was almost certainly Harry Norris, who was associated with a number of building works for Coles and this is comparable to his other designs. ([ii]) By 1978 Miller & Co. occupied No. 111 Gray Street. ([iii]) Coles New World Supermarket in Gray Street (corner Brown Street) came to Hamilton in 1973-74 taking advantage of the loss by fire of the originally building on that site. ([iv])
The Coles building which is `streamlined' is of extra interest as a foil to the many local designs of Seabrooke and Fildes who followed a rather different stream based on Dutch precedents. Norris is now well known for his adaptability to various styles using them to conjure up associations advantageous to his clients. ([v]) The architect was constrained by the forms of the existing buildings. The existing cantilever awning was new in 1936. Some of the shop fronts have been altered and the arcade has been remodelled. Otherwise the building is relatively intact and in good condition. It forms an important part of the streetscape because of its length and scale.
[i] HSA DP Nos.16, 17 & 18.
[ii] Australian Architects Index, (Harry Norris).
[iii] HSA DP, Nos.16, 17 & 18.
[iv] Garden, Don, Hamilton, p 230.
[v] He used the Spanish Mission style for Kellow Falkiner's Car Showrooms in St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
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Coles Fossey - Physical Description 1
MATERIALS:
Roof:
Walls: cement render & face brick
Dressings: cement render
Plinth: brick
Windows: aluminium
Paving:
Other:
NOTABLE FEATURES:
Streamline detailing.Coles Fossey - Historical Australian Themes
ASSOCIATED HISTORIC THEMES
Tertiary Industry: Department storesColes Fossey - Integrity
Integrity: F
Coles Fossey - Physical Conditions
Conditions: G
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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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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1 Fordham CourtYarra City
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10 Fordham CourtYarra City
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