CROSSLEY'S BUILDING
54-62 BOURKE STREET MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
![Victorian Heritage Inventory](http://api.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/img/owner_icons/1087.gif)
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Statement of Significance
This place is included on the Victorian Heritage Inventory, for its potential to contain historical archaeological remains associated with the settlement and growth of early Melbourne. Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017 there is protection for all historical archaeology sites and objects in the state.
Please visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out more about the Heritage Inventory.
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CROSSLEY'S BUILDING - History
Heritage Inventory History of Site: Date of first documented occupation, 1848-9Heritage Inventory Description
CROSSLEY'S BUILDING - Heritage Inventory Description
Extant building constructed 1848/9 (rate books) by William Crossley, Butcher, as a butcher's shop, residence and slaughteryards. The othertwo shops were rented. Series of notable occupants including the painter Eugene von Guerard who lived in No.56 in 1857-58.
Heritage Inventory Significance: Extant building represents a rare link with pre-Goldrush retailing in Melbourne. Remarkably preserved/intact.HISTORIC BUILDINGS COUNCIL - STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:THIS VERY EARLY MELBOURNE BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED BY WILLIAM CROSSLEY IN 1848, 1849. WILLIAM CROSSLEY WAS A WELL KNOWN BUTCHER AND BUILT THE WESTERN HALF (NOS. 58 AND 60) AS A BUTCHER'S SHOP, RESIDENCE AND SLAUGHTER YARDS. THE OTHER TWO SHOPS HE RENTED. ONE OF THE EARLY OCCUPANTS LISTED IN SANDS AND MCDOUGALL WAS THE PAINTER EUGENE VON GUERARD WHO LIVED IN NO. 56 IN 1857 AND 1858. EUGENE VON GUERARD (1812-1901) EMIGRATED TO VICTORIA IN 1852; HE WAS THE SON OF THE COURT PAINTER TO THE EMPEROR FRANCIS 2 OF AUSTRIA. FOR SIXTEEN YEARS AFTER HIS ARRIVAL HE TRAVELLED THROUGHOUT VICTORIA, TASMANIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND PAINTING LANDSCAPES. ALONG WITH BUVELOT AND CHEVALIER, VON GUERARD DOMINATED AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE PAINTING DURING THE LATE COLONIAL PERIOD. VON GUERARD WAS APPOINTED FIRST MASTER OF PAINTING AT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ART, MELBOURNE, AND CURATOR OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY. THE CROSSLEYS OWNED THE BUILDING AT LEAST UNTIL 1900, WHEN ANGLISS LEASED THE BUTCHER SHOP FROM ANNIE CROSSLEY. THE CROSSLEY NAME IS COMMEMORATED IN CROSSLEY STREET WHICH RUNS TO THE WEST OF THE BUILDINGS. (MANY OF MELBOURNE'S LEADING BUTCHERS OF THE 1880S TRAINED AT THIS SHOP). THIS BUILDING HAS SURVIVED FOR 128 YEARS SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM, THE MAJOR ALTERATIONSBEING TO THE SHOP WINDOWS AND REMOVAL OF INTERNAL STAIRWAYS. CONSTRUCTED WHEN MELBOURNE WAS PART OF THE PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT OF N.S.W. IT IS A REMNANT OF COMMERCIAL ROW DEVELOPMENT OF A TYPE FOUND PRIOR TO THE GOLD RUSH AND OF WHICH VERY FEW REMNANTS REMAIN IN THE STATE OF VICTORIA. THE BUILDING IS AMONGST THE EARLIEST EXTANT OF THE C.B.D. OF MELBOURNE. THE CHASTE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING REFLECTS THE EARLY COLONIAL STYLE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS GEORGIAN. THE ONLY ORNAMENTATION IS ON THE WINDOW ARCHITRAVES AND THE SERIES OF BRACKETS BENEATH THE MOULDED PARAPET CORNICE. THE PARAPET PEDIMENT HAS BEEN REMOVED. THE BUILDING IS CONSIDERED TO BE OF ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC IMPORTANCE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS ACT.
Archeological Potential: Extant bldg Fabric, Site
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ROSAVILLEVictorian Heritage Register H0408
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MEDLEY HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0409
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DRUMMOND TERRACEVictorian Heritage Register H0872
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