Williams Shoe Factory, Former

History:

Arthur Williams established his boot manufacturing business in Kerr Street, Fitzroy, in 1890. In 1894, he moved to large premises in St Georges Road. In 1904, Williams moved to Gipps Street Abbotsford. At that time, the factory was producing approximately 2,000 pairs of shoes each week. Williams specialised in the manufacture of premium grade women's boots and shoes, including coloured lines such as tan, green, red and white.

Description:

The former Williams Shoe Factory, 202 Langridge Street, Abbotsford, is a large four storey brick industrial building between Henry and Russell Streets. The south elevation, to Langridge Street, is symmetrical, and has a taller, projecting central section of five bays, with a relatively small central entrance door flanked by small, recessed rendered name panels. The three street elevations of the building are punctuated by evenly spaced window openings. Windows are four paned timber framed double-hung sashes.

To the rear of the east end of the building is an addition, facing Russell Street. Also of four storeys, it has a trabeated facade with face brick piers, recessed, rendered spandrel panels and a rendered cornice.

Significance:

The former Williams Shoe Factory is of local architectural and historical significance. Historically, the factory dates from a period of expansion of one of the major shoemaking enterprises in the municipality. Architecturally, the building is a substantially intact example of a large Edwardian factory buildings, which remains a prominent heritage element in Langridge Street and in Russell Street, and is a local landmark.

Group

Manufacturing and Processing

Category

Factory/ Plant