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Doonside Precinct
LocationBurnley Street and Doonside Street RICHMOND, YARRA CITY LevelRecommended for Heritage Overlay |
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Statement of Significance
What is significant? The contributory and significant elements are large inter-war factory complexes having typically: - Pitched roofs set behind parapets; Nos. 61-65, 67 and 77 Burnley Street and 1-9 Doonside Street are contributory to the precinct. 81-95 Burnley Street and 26 Doonside Street (HO252) are Individually Significant to the precinct. How it is significant? Why it is significant? Historically, as a tangible illustration of industrial development that was so important in Richmond from its earliest years. In the Yarraberg area, David Mitchell - owner of 'Doonside' house and the cement works beside it - was the pioneer of this development. In the 1930s, Richmond City Council zoned Yarraberg as one of three areas set aside for manufacturing, leading to its rapid redevelopment during this decade. The buildings constructed during this period demonstrate the modern preference for single-level factory floors, sometimes with offices above. (Criterion A)
Doonside Industrial Precinct, comprising 61-91 Burnley Street and 1-9 & 26 Doonside Street, Richmond. It is a grouping of factory buildings constructed during the 1930s and early 1940s. They include the places where iconic Australian brands, such as Jex steel Wool and Repco auto parts, were manufactured.
- One to two levels in wall height;
- Moderne styling;
- No side setbacks, minimal or zero front setbacks;
- Render and face brick walls;
- Less than 40% of the street wall face comprised with openings such as windows and doors.
The Doonside Industrial Precinct is of local aesthetic and historic significance to the City of Yarra.
Aesthetically, as a concentration of interwar factories around the intersection of Burnley and Doonside streets, which are exceptional in their stylistic consistency. The earlier ones - at 61-65, 77 and 91 Burnley Street - exhibit decorative traits of Jazz Moderne, including simplified classical pilasters, cast geometric bas reliefs, and the stepped ziggurat motif. The later buildings - 85 Burnley Street, 1-9 Doonside Street and 26 Doonside Street -have striking vertical entrance 'towers', 85-91 Burnley Street has incised 'speed' lines, characteristics of the Streamlined Moderne, and 26 Doonside Street exhibits an interesting and sophisticated composition with a limited palette of materials (cream and glazed brown brick). The factory at 1-9 Doonside Street has less of a horizontal emphasis, instead showing an avant-garde Functionalist influence. (Criterion E)
Group
Manufacturing and Processing
Category
Other - Manufacturing & Processing