Shops

History:

In 1889, Arthur Snowden owned vacant land (listed as lots 6 (26') and 7 (55') on the north-west corner of Victoria and Fairchild Streets. In 1890, Snowden built four brick shops, facing Victoria facing Victoria Street. Snowden continued as owner until at least 1900).

Description:

459-465 Victoria Street is a row of four double-storey shops and residences constructed of red brick with rendered dressings, situated at the corner of Fairchild Street. The building has large shop front openings between brick piers at ground floor level; the entrance to No. 465 is located on the angled corner. A rendered string course divides the two storeys. At first floor level, red brick pilasters separate the four buildings, each having casement or double-hung sash windows contained within a semi-elliptical archway embellished with rendered archivolts. There is a rendered string at sill level, and a brown brick string course at impost level. A red brick parapet surmounts the first floor cornice, and has small pediments above each of the piers. A scrolled segmental-arched Dutch gable marks the angled corner, and contains a swag.

The adjacent section to the north, facing Fairchild Street, is also of red brick but has no decoration. Alterations include the replacement of all of the original shop fronts, and the painting of the brickwork at nos. 459, and 465 and part of 463 at first floor level, and all of the brickwork at ground floor level. Signs have been affixed to Nos. 459 and 465. Architecturally, the appearance of the buildings has been diminished by the painting of the red brickwork and the removal of the original shop fronts.

Significance:

The shops at 459-465 Victoria Street, Abbotsford, are of local architectural significance. Relatively intact, they are unusual examples of richly decorated Edwardian double-storey shops.

Group

Retail and Wholesale

Category

Shop