Hamilton Town Hall
Brown Street HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton
Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: Focus for the municipal administration of Hamilton during the twentieth century and designed (both 1910 and 1960) by the Town and City Engineer.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Hamilton Town Hall
Brown Street
The original Hamilton Town Hall was located between the Post Office and the Mechanics Institute in Gray Street. (i) Around the turn of the century it was decided to relocate the hall and offices and the Town Engineer, Frank Hammond, designed a remarkable new building, only the hall of which survives. He was an architect with a prolific local practice and the town hall design gives many clues to his other work. (ii) The design was an idiosyncratic version of the classicism revival style of the time. It combined Byzantine, Baroque, Mannerist, and Queen Anne details. (iii) The foyer and offices were replaced by a mundane version of the International style in the early 1960s again designed by the City Engineer, H W Terrell. The loss of both town halls has been called a double blow to the heritage of Hamilton.
The Hamilton Town Hall is of regional significance for its historical associations. It has been the focus for the municipal administration of Hamilton during the twentieth century. There can be no doubt about its importance as the venue for a wide range of uses. It has been the scene of many public functions. For many years it was used as one of the town's cinemas. The interior of the hall is presently undergoing an extensive alteration and conversion to a sloped auditorium. Despite the major changes the Town Hall remains relatively intact and in good condition. It is a critical part of the streetscape and relates well to the Regional Art Gallery and Library next door.
FOOTNOTES
i The Hamilton Historical Society holds copies of the original drawings.
ii At least on stylistic grounds this design is the key which allows the attribution of most of the architecture built in Hamilton from that period to Frank Hammond. One of the more interesting attributions would be 18 McIntyre Street (or 33 French Street) for which the architect is not known.
iii The Hamilton Historical Society holds several photographs of the building and there are many postcards of it held by the State Library.
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MECHANICS INSTITUTE
Victorian Heritage Register H2171 -
HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENS
Victorian Heritage Register H2185
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FORMER HAMILTON TUBERCULOSIS CHALET
Victorian Heritage Register H1066
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'NORWAY'
Boroondara City -
1 Mitchell Street
Yarra City -
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