Modern Building at 217- 219 Nelson Place
217-219 Nelson Place WILLIAMSTOWN, HOBSONS BAY CITY
Nelson Place Heritage Precinct
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Statement of Significance
The Modern Buildings, designed and constructed by John Garnsworthy in 1909, at 217-219 Nelson Place, Williamstown.
How is it Significant?The Modern Buildings at 217-219 Nelson Place, Williamstown are of local historic, aesthetic and technical significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, it was constructed for John Garnsworthy, one of Williamstown's more renowned builders and in an innovative fashion, which belies its speculative intent. (AHC criteria A4 and H1)
Aesthetically, it is significant as an unusual neo-classic design in an uncommon material, which has been altered in detail but is a valuable contribution to the commercial streetscape. It includes features innovative for the time such as the large first floor balcony. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)
Technically, it is significant as an early example of concrete construction and one of two examples by the same builder in Williamstown. (AHC criteria B2 and F1)
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Modern Building at 217- 219 Nelson Place - Physical Description 1
An unusual commercial form built from an uncommon vesiculated concrete masonry and stuccoed in-situ concrete. Using a simplified and free use of classical ornament, the shops' upper levels are divided by ogee-profile walls, one extending forward of the other, which makes the stepped nature of the two facades: 219 being forward of 217. Both feature upper level terraces.
Central to, but detached from both, is an elevated broken pediment, with a shell in the entablature frieze, which depicts the buildings' name and is placed on the parapet to the lower level facade which is in turn built on the property line. Comparable contemporary buildings using this vesiculated masonry exist in Camberwell (domestic examples) but otherwise it is uncommon in this period.
Changes to the original fabric include:
- The shopfronts, which are not original but are related.
- Frameless glass balustrading that has been added to the terrace (this possibly replaced an earlier balustrade) with a fabric awning over, obscuring the upper facade.
- The tiling of the corner walls.
Modern Building at 217- 219 Nelson Place - Integrity
External Integrity and condition
Integrity - Moderate. Condition - Good
Modern Building at 217- 219 Nelson Place - Physical Description 2
Context
Contributes to the nineteenth century commercial streetscape of Nelson Place.
Modern Building at 217- 219 Nelson Place - Historical Australian Themes
Developing Local, Regional and National Economies, Marketing & retailing
Modern Building at 217- 219 Nelson Place - Physical Description 3
Associations
John Garnsworthy
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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FORMER MORGUEVictorian Heritage Register H1512
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WILLIAMSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1639
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RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0487
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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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