Colonial Mutual Life Building
89 Gray Street HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton
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Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: Replaced the very significant Victoria Hotel and now forms the third modern corner of this critical intersection.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Colonial Mutual Life Building
89 Gray Street
The land on which the CML Building was constructed was originally sold at auction by the Crown in 1851 to Acheson French, one of the most interesting and individual of the pioneers of Hamilton. (i) By 1855 James Blastock had built the Victoria Hotel on the site which proved to be one of the most important hotels in Hamilton. (ii) It became a focus for the development of the commercial life of the town. It was demolished in the 1960s for the construction of the CML Building which is of local significance for its architecture and for the historical associations of this nineteenth century life assurance company. The builder was Reg Williams who had built many of the interwar developments in Gray Street. (iii) It is a classic example of the period with its materials and details and appears to be constructed with a reinforced concrete frame. It is derivative of the International style. The building is significantly intact and in excellent condition.
FOOTNOTES
i Garden, D, Hamilton, pp 14-15
ii Ibid. p 58.
iii Conversation with his daughter, Mrs Peg Christie.
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Colonial Mutual Life Building - Physical Description 1
MATERIALS:
Roof: corrugated iron
Walls: cream brick/concrete
Dressings: cement render/tiles
Plinth: red brick
Windows: aluminium
Paving: terrazzo
Other: tiled stallboards
NOTABLE FEATURES: Company logo in terrazzo, entrance lobby, tower with flagpole, period use of materials.
LEVEL OF STREETSCAPE SIGNIFICANCE: 1 || 2 |X| 3 ||
STYLE: InternationalColonial Mutual Life Building - Historical Australian Themes
ASSOCIATED HISTORIC THEMES
Evolution of the Town: 1960s
Tertiary Industry: Life insurance
RetailColonial Mutual Life Building - Integrity
Integrity: E
Colonial Mutual Life 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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"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 Miller StreetYarra City
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1-3 Rowena ParadeYarra City
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