Nelson Bros. Funeral Parlour Complex (Former)

The former Nelson Bros. funeral parlour complex, designed by Phillip Blair and constructed in 1940, at 37-43 Douglas Parade, Williamstown.

The former Nelson Bros. funeral parlour complex at 37-43 Douglas Parade, Williamstown is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobson's Bay.

Historically, it is significant for its long association with the undertaking and funeral trade and is a rare surviving example of a complex that combined most, if not all, of the activities associated with the trade on the one site. It has strong associations with the well known firm of Nelson Bros. and is believed to be the oldest building constructed by the firm in metropolitan Melbourne. (Criterion A4, D2 and H1)

Aesthetically, although altered, it remains a locally rare example of a large Interwar Moderne commercial building, which retains distinctive elements so redolent of this style. It makes an important streetscape contribution on this prominent corner location. The dynamic architecture expressed the progressive nature of the firm for whom it was originally built. (AHC criteria B2, E1 and F1)

Group

Commercial

Category

Other - Commercial