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Windsor Post Office
172 Peel Street WINDSOR, Stonnington City

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

A finely detailed and refreshingly innovative example of Edwardian Free Style design with Arts and Crafts leaning, the Windsor Post Office and Telephone Exchange was erected in 1907-08 to the design of H J MacKennal of the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs. The reinforced concrete frame which carries much of the structure was designed by John Monash and is an early example of the use of this technique in Australian building. The compact Peel Street facade is of red brick incorporating string courses of rockfaced freestone with mullions and transoms of ashlar and leadlighted windows. The surviving stained glass is worthy of particular note as intact examples in the post offices are now rare. In its ecpression of materials, window design and broad elevational composition, it may be compared with the Arts and Crafts work of William Lethaby: comparison may also be made with the Free Style designs ofLeonard Stokes, including a number of telephone ex hanges. With the exceptions of the chimney in the gable end and a small proportion of the leadlight, the building appears to be remarkably intact externally. This is enhanced by the survival of the wrought iron front fence and the unpainted brick and stonework.

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- Physical Description 1
  
  Windsor Post Office - Physical Description 1
  
  The two-storey post and telegraph office in Peel Street was erected in 1907-8 to the design of Public Works Department architect H.J. McKennal by the contractor Donald A. Swanson. The resulting red brick building is highly unusual in form with a protruding polygonal section and an arched entrance in the receding section. Sections of exposed eaves alternate with parapeted sections and courses of stonework contrast with alternate sections of red brickwork. The arched entrance is emphasised and framed by pilasters and an entablature over which includes a decorative festoon. Elaborate stained glasswork is a feature of the otherwise plain rectangular window openings.
  
  Local Historical Themes
  
  Windsor Post Office - Local Historical Themes
  
  4.6.2 Establishing telegraph and telephone networks
  
  7.1 Serving local communities
  
  Shopfront
  
  Windsor Post Office - Shopfront
  
  Intact features: Former post office, custom made leadlight windows and highlight to door, also wrought-iron fence.
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Stonnington - Prahran Conservation Study Identification of Buildings & Areas of Major Significance
  
  Author: Nigel Lewis & Associates
  Year: 1983
  Grading: A1
  
  Stonnington - City of Stonnington - Heritage Precincts - Intact Shop Fronts Survey 2012
  
  Author: Context P/L
  Year: 2012
  Grading:
- Show:
- PRAHRAN TOWN HALL
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H0203
- FORMER POLICE STATION AND COURT HOUSE
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H0542
- FORMER RECHABITE HALL
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H0575
- 'Aqua Profonda' sign wall sign, Fitzroy Swimming Pool
  
  Yarra City H1687
- 'DRIFFVILLE'
  
  Boroondara City
- 1) WEATHERBOARD FARM HOUSE AND 2) THE OUTBUILDINGS
  
  Nillumbik Shire