Back to search results

Australian Estates wool store
47-61 Sunshine Road, FOOTSCRAY WEST VIC 3012 - Property No 5131002000

All information on this page is maintained by Maribyrnong City. Click below for their website and contact details.
Maribyrnong City
HO 160 (1) - Australian Estate Wool Store, 27-61 Sunshine Road, West Footscray.JPG
HO 160 (1) - Australian Estate Wool Store, 27-61 Sunshine Road, West Footscray.JPG
HO 160 (1) - Australian Estate Wool Store, 27-61 Sunshine Road, West Footscray.JPG
HO160 (2) - Australian Estate Wool Store, 47-61 Sunsine Road, West Footscray.JPG
On this page:

Statement of Significance

The Australian Estates wool store is of regional historical and architectural significance, as one of the largest single wool store buildings in Victoria built on a grand scale with considerable architectural refinement. It represents a peak of pastoral development when Australia rode on the sheep's back and the culmination of the architecturally elaborate wool store designs, subsequent stores becoming bland clear span and tilt-slab sheds. The location on the fringe of Melbourne and in proximity to the railway and the connecting siding demonstrates its dependence on transport connections. The wool industry has played a significant role in the development of Victoria and Australia, and wool stores have been one of the most prominent building types in Melbourne's West. (Criterion A4) The building also relates to the Australian Estates Company, an influential agricultural finance and agency corporation. Architecturally this building represents the epitome of wool store design with the functional married seamlessly to the decorative. (Criterion F1)

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:

A.4 demonstrates well the course and pattern of history, important historic events

F.1 design or technological achievement .

Show more
Show less

    • Physical Description 1

      Australian Estates wool store - Physical Description 1

      A four story brick structure with sawtooth roof lighting the top sampling floor which has a mansard roof styled parapet as a distinguishing feature along with bold lettering proclaiming the company name and the function of the building now defaced by the new operators plastic sign.

      Mock balconies with wrought iron railings and steel lattice over window openings add further touches of distinction. The very large building was located to take advantage of the adjacent Tottenham railway sidings, and a siding constructed to serve this and the adjacent Elders Smith wool store.

      Physical Conditions

      Australian Estates wool store - Physical Conditions

      In good condition

      Integrity

      Australian Estates wool store - Integrity

      substantially Intact. The sign is the only apparent alteration

      Physical Description 2

      Australian Estates wool store - Physical Description 2

      In an area of several large industrial complexes (including the adjacent Goldsborough Mort wool store.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Australian Estates wool store - Historical Australian Themes

      Thematic context
      Australian Principal Theme Marketing & Retailing
      PAHT Subtheme: Marketing of produce
      Local Theme Warehousing exports

      Physical Description 3

      Australian Estates wool store - Physical Description 3

      Creation date(s): 1941 c.
      Heritage Significance regional
      Map (Melway) 41 G5
      Boundary description The extent of the current allotment
      Local Government Area: City of Maribyrnong
      Ownership Type Private

      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

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
Timeline browser

< to 1849
< - 1849
1850 to 1879
1850 - 1879
1880 to 1909
1880 - 1909
1910 to 1939
1910 - 1939
1940 to 1969
1940 - 1969
1970 to 1999
1970 - 1999
2000 to >
2000 - >