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Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct
Elphin Street (part), Hall Street (part), Mason Street (part), Melbourne Road (part) and Walker Street (part) NEWPORT, HOBSONS BAY CITY

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Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct, Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct, Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct, Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct, Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006
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Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

The Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct, which comprises all land in HO22 and generally includes the commercial precinct surrounding Newport Railway Station, Newport and includes properties in Hall Street (part), Mason Street (part) and Melbourne Road (part), Newport.

How is it Significant?

The Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.

Why is it Significant?

Historically, it is significant as the major commercial centre within Newport locality which illustrates the nineteenth century beginnings of the area and the significant development that occurred in the Edwardian and Interwar period, which closely the residential and industrial growth of the area during the same periods and how development was closely linked to the development of the railways in this area. (AHC criteria A4 and G1)

Aesthetically, it is significant as a well preserved late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial precinct that is notable for its architectural landmark sites including the former CBA bank, Newport Hotel, Masonic Hall, VR Newport DC substation and railway station and for the continuity and visual relationships of the shops in Hall Street and Melbourne Road, which are characterized by the parapeted building forms with uniform front and side setbacks, similar wall materials and similar scale and some with early shopfronts, awnings and other detailing. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)

Socially, it is significant for its strong associations with the Newport community as an important community meeting place that has played an important role in the development of the area. (AHC criterion G1)

On this basis, the following places and other elements contribute to the significance of the precinct:

- Hall Street 1, 3-7, 9, 10 15, 18- 21, 28, 30-32, 34-36, 38-40 and 42-46.

- Mason Street 1, 11-15, 17, 18 and 24-26.

- Melbourne Road 405, 407-409, 413-417 and 421-423(Note: Melbourne Road south of North Road is situated within the Melbourne Road Commercial Heritage Precinct (HO20)).

- Newport War Memorial, median Mason Street

- Newport Railway Station & trees

- Newport Railway Sub-station (former)

- Bluestone kerb and channeling and laneways.

Please note that some heritage places within this precinct may also have an individual citation in this Study.

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    • Physical Description 1

      Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct - Physical Description 1

      The Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct has grown around the railway, reflecting the two stages of the railway's development as well as two major periods of growth in the Williamstown and Newport areas during the 1880s and the Edwardian and Interwar period. This development resulted in the growth of the residential and industrial areas of Newport and Spotswood and the civic, commercial and ecclesiastical structures erected to serve them, particularly during the Edwardian-era and immediate post World War One period. The same development periods are seen in the adjoining residential areas.

      The buildings are typically well-preserved and illustrate the two main development periods (Victorian and the Edwardian/Interwar eras) well. This is particularly demonstrated by the early shopfronts and upper level facades in the commercial buildings which form a strip of development facing the railway and central open space in Mason Street. A secondary aspect of the commercial strip is the associated residential component built into many of the buildings as an indication of the live-in form of commercial tenancies in the pre-WW2 period. These can be seen from rear lanes and the adjoining residential area.

      Commercial buildings make up the character of the precinct and their physical attributes are:

      - Face brick (typically red) or brick and render combined or all rendered street facades and face brick rear elevations.

      - Row or joined construction.

      - Zero front and side setbacks.

      - Two storey parapeted form in Hall Street, and predominantly single storey in Melbourne Road.

      - Upper facades are usually intact with double hung timber or projecting bay windows.

      - Some retain early awnings or shopfronts with plinths, some glazed tiling, timber and metal window framing, transom lights, and recessed entries being typical.

      Landmark buildings within the precinct include the Newport Hotel, Newport Commercial Bank (former), Masonic Temple (former)and the Victorian Railways DC Substation (former).

      Physical Conditions

      Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct - Physical Conditions

      Condition

      The condition of buildings is generally good.

      Integrity

      Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct - Integrity

      Integrity

      The integrity of the precinct is Moderate overall as there are few post-war buildings.

      Usage/Former Usage

      Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct - Usage/Former Usage

      Context

      The precinct is situated within Edwardian and inter-war residential areas to the east, west and south. Industrial areas are situated to the north.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct - Historical Australian Themes

      Principal Australian Historical Theme(s)

      Developing local, regional and national economies, Marketing & retailing

      Physical Description 2

      Newport Civic and Commercial Precinct - Physical Description 2

      Associations

      Various - refer to citations for individual properties.

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study

      Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
      Year: 2006
      Grading:

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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