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Hopkins Odlum
268 - 275 Geelong Road, FOOTSCRAY WEST VIC 3012 - Property No 5063001000

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Maribyrnong City
HO129 (1) - Hopkins Odlum, 268 Geelong Road, West Footscray.JPG
HO129 (1) - Hopkins Odlum, 268 Geelong Road, West Footscray.JPG
HO129 (1) - Hopkins Odlum, 268 Geelong Road, West Footscray.JPG
HO129 (2) - Hopkins Odlum, 268 Geelong Road, West Footscray.JPG
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Statement of Significance

City of Maribyrnong Heritage Review Statement of Significance:

Of regional historical and architectural significance as an accomplished early Moderne factory/office design which related to a key manufacturing enterprise and which forms part of a regionally important industrial precinct established along Geelong Road prior to World War Two. Historically the place is significant as a major manufacturer of a specialist product which was a critical component in manufacturing in the region and nationally. (Criterion B2)

This role is expressed architecturally as the building is of some distinction, a visually interesting example of the works of a well known architectural firm who had a number of commissions in the western region. (Criterion F1) The remnant landscaping with planter boxes and cypress trees is contributory.

Footscray Conservation Study SOS

An accomplished early Modern factory/office design which forms part of a regionally important industrial precinct established along Geelong Road prior to the Second War.

Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) criteria

The Australian Heritage Commission criteria consist of a set of eight criteria which cover social, aesthetic, scientific, and historic values. Each criterion has sub-criteria written specifically for cultural or natural values. The relevant criteria are:

B.2 rarity

F.1 design or technological achievement.

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    • Physical Description 1

      Hopkins Odlum - Physical Description 1

      Extensive brick and iron factory complex built on site of earlier (1890) factory of Apex Belting.

      The offices are divided into two with more prosaic additions to the west and the more architecturally pretentious and earlier section to the east with an orange brick vertical feature adorned at its top with cement fins and a "floating" capping. This element provided the distinctive identification for the building and hence the company and its products - the modern equivalent being the corporate image. A rendered block with ruled grid similar to Boon Spa (adjacent property now redeveloped), formed a window element and a base to the vertical feature. The building proper has a long horizontal steel framed window strip, each bay divided by fins of deep green terra-cotta.

      Landscaping contemporary to the design features a continuous quarry tile capped planter box defining the boundary and some remnant cypress planting.

      Behind it are the ubiquitous corrugated iron and asbestos sheeting clad manufacturing buildings with brick in double colonial bond and single veneer forming the boundary walls.

      The eastern portion of the sawtooth factory is exposed at the front with a red brick wall featuring circular vent originally holding a ventilation fan, as well as minor string course continuing the facade's horizontal lines.

      Physical Conditions

      Hopkins Odlum - Physical Conditions

      In good condition

      Integrity

      Hopkins Odlum - Integrity

      Generally intact to original appearance apart from alterations to the entrance porch, some additions to the west, painting over of some brickwork and recladding of roofs in recent decades. The Apex sign has recently been restored by the owner.

      Physical Description 2

      Hopkins Odlum - Physical Description 2

      Context: One of a number of Moderne factories forming a cohesive group on Geelong Road.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Hopkins Odlum - Historical Australian Themes

      Thematic context
      Australian Principal Theme Manufacturing and Processing
      PAHT Subtheme: Manufacturing and Processing
      Local Theme Industry by the River: Early

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Maribyrnong - Maribyrnong Heritage Review

      Author: Jill Barnard, Graeme Butler, Francine Gilfedder & Gary Vines
      Year: 2000
      Grading:

Public contributions

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