SHOP - HARDWARE STORE, ORIGINALLY BLACKSMITH'S SHOP, 925 HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE RD
925 HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE RD HURSTBRIDGE, NILLUMBIK SHIRE
Statement of Significance
The building at 925-927 Heidelberg-Kinglake road, Hurstbridge, has historical and aesthetic significance at a local level to the Shire of Nillumbik.
The building, constructed in 1923 with later alterations and additions, has local historical significance as one of the few remaining buildings associated with themain period of the development of the township of Hurstbridge (Criteria A4 & B2). Similar historic shops or shops with adjacent dwellings dating from the 1910s and 1920s are located at 804, 919, 956, 960 and 964 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road (HO69, HO75, HO77, HO78, HO79).
The building was originally constructed to accommodate the requirements of a local blacksmith, but as lifestyles changed, particularly with the redundancy of horses for transport and farming, and with increasing industrialisation, the local blacksmith became obsolete in small communities.
As a former blacksmith's shop, the structure demonstrates the important service provided by blacksmiths in small communities. This service is no longer practised. No similar buildings are known to have survived in the Shire of Nillumbik. Therefore, the building is a rare surviving example of an early twentieth century blacksmith's shop (Criterion B2).
The building's change in use from a blacksmith's shop to a joiner's workshop in 1948 and then to a hardware shop in 1956, and its continued use as a hardware shop up to the present, reflects the changes that occurred in small communities throughout Australia. In this way, the building contributes to a greater understanding of the development of the region and has local historical significance as an example of the evolution of local businesses (Criterion A4).
The front elevation and interior of the building have been significantly altered in its adaptation from blacksmith's shop and workshop to hardware shop. The size of the building has also increased as additions have been added to the side and rear. However, the general form of the original building, best represented by the double gabled roof, and the use of a simple corrugated iron and timber, still indicate its original use. The building demonstrates the principal characteristics of a humble commercial building which has been adapted to suit changes in our way of life (Criterion D2).
The shop-like appearance of the building contributes to the understanding of the development of Hurstbridge's town centre and the village-like character of the streetscape. The former Blacksmith's Shop has local easthetic significance for the features which deminstrate its early establishment, including its double-gabled form, wide eaves and simple materials (Criterion E1).
Opportunities and recommendations
The building at 925 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road has local historical significance as a rare example of a former blacksmith's shop and as an early commercial building in the development of Hurstbridge. That being said, it is also significant for hte way it has evolved to suit changes to our way of life, and these changes have resulted in a loss of original fabric and integrity. It is therefore considered appropriate that alterations to the structure are permitted, if necessary, as long as the key characteristics, which physicaly represent the building's significance, are retained and respected.
To retainthese key characteristics, the following guidelines are provided:
1. The double-gabled roof form should be retained and clearly identifiable from Heidelberg-Kinglake road
2. The front elevation, including the shopfronts may be altered as long as the double gabled roof form and wide eaves remain dominant and that the changes respect the existing chracteristics of the streetscape
3. The interior may be altered as desired
4. The later additions to the side and rear of the building may be removed and replaced as desired but any new additions should be constructed in similar materials (ie brickwork would not be appropriate)
5. The building should remain predominantly single-storey as viewed from Heidelberg-Kinglake Road
6. Existing corrugated iron and weatherboard cladding to the exterior of the original building should only be replaced using like-for-like materials.
In considering opportunities for change, it is also strongly recommended that the building continue to be used for commercial purposes.
It is also strongly recommended that the building be interpreted to help communicate its heritage significance to the local community and visitors. As a minimum, a small sign should be added to the exterior, matching existing signs on similar buildings inthe street. The sign should explain the building's original use and date of construction as a minimum.
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SCOUTS' BUILDINGS - PREVIOUSLY STATE SCHOOL NO.3939 BUILDINGS
Nillumbik Shire -
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HURST FAMILY CEMETERY
Nillumbik Shire
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10 Down Street
Yarra City
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