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FORMER GRAND RANK CABMAN'S SHELTER
YARRA PARK EAST MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register
h00849 1 former grand rank cabman's shelter near footbridge yarra park jolimont front she project 2004
h00849 1 former grand rank cabman's shelter near footbridge yarra park jolimont front she project 2004
h00849 1 former grand rank cabman's shelter near footbridge yarra park jolimont front she project 2004
former grand rank cabman's shelter near footbridge yarra park jolimont side she project 2004
former grand rank cabman s shelter near footbridge yarra park jolimont back she project 2004
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The shelter is known as the former Grand Rank Cabman's Shelter because of its original location outside the Grand Hotel, now called the Windsor Hotel. It was constructed in 1898 by the Melbourne Cabman's Shelter Committee using plans gratuitously provided by prominent Melbourne architect Nahum Barnet. It was modelled on a contemporary structure built circa 1896 in St James Square, London. The shelter is a portable rectangular structure measuring approximately 17'6" by 7'6". Walls are of modular construction comprising small timber panels with moulded timber strapping covering the panel joints. The front elevation has a central door with a window either side. Three windows are placed symmetrically along the back wall and each end wall has a window located centrally. The square window sashes can be raised for ventilation. Each opening has a semi-circular panel above and these panels have ornamental fretwork ventilation panels on either side. The half gabled roof was originally sheeted with slate and did not have gutters. The roof at either end of the building extends further down than the roof at the front and rear in order to provide a wider eave cover to the end walls. The main gable roof ends have ornamental fretwork infill panels with a rising sun motif. A small transverse gable roof with matching fretwork motif intersecting the centre of the main roof is surmounted by a louvre ventilator and a metal sheeted domical vault and lantern. The king post roof structure is expressed internally. The shelter, donated by an anonymous Parliamentarian, was relocated to the Brunton Avenue entrance of the Melbourne Cricket Ground car park in Yarra Park, Jolimont.

How is it significant?
The former Grand Rank Cabman's Shelter is of historic significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
The former Grand Rank Cabman's Shelter is historically significant as the earliest and only known surviving example of a portable timber Cabman's Shelter of the type erected around Melbourne about the turn of the century to provide shelter for horse-drawn cab drivers. The Shelter's significance is enhanced by its high degree of integrity, retention of all its original furniture and fine detailing including a dovecote on the roof and a hitching rail. Its significance as a former Cabman's Shelter is enhanced by its continuity of use as a Parking Attendants' Shelter.
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    • History

      FORMER GRAND RANK CABMAN'S SHELTER - History

      Contextual History:
      Cab Shelters were introduced to Melbourne streets in 1896 to provide permanent shelter for the 300 to 400 cabmen working in and around the city. The former Grand Rank Shelter is the only known surviving example from the turn of the century. It was erected in 1898, just south of Parliament House in Carpentaria Place, as a Shelter for cabmen stationed at the Grand Rank Cab Stand. The Rank took its name from the nearby Grand Hotel (now the Windsor Hotel). It was later moved to the Melbourne Cricket Ground car park in Yarra Park to serve as a Shelter for parking attendants. The Shelter was copied from the design of a Shelter constructed in St James Square, London c 1896.
      (Australian Heritage Commission)

      Permit Exemptions

      FORMER GRAND RANK CABMAN'S SHELTER - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

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