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MELBOURNE WIRE WORKS (FORMER)

Other Name

Melbourne Wire Works Factory & Head Office, Batman Kangan TAFE complex

Location

85-99 CREMORNE STREET,, CREMORNE VIC 3121 - Property No 165395

File Number

Y2011:10306

Level

Incl in HO area indiv sig

[1/1]
CREMORNE CREMORNE STREET

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former Melbourne Wire Works factory, constructed c.1942, at 85-99 Cremorne Street, Cremorne is significant. This is a two storey late interwar factory and office complex constructed of brick with a sawtooth roof concealed by a parpet. The front section of the building, facing Cremorne Street, has a rendered parapet, which returns along part of the Kelso Street elevation. The entrance is marked by a vertical 'tower' with a rendered front, framed in brick, that sits slightly proud of the main wall, and steps up at the side. There are two deeply inset tall narrow windows above the entrance within the rendered section. The north corner of the tower is chamfered and along the top at the front and north side there is a series of regularly spaced narrow inset slots. The secondary elevations to Kelso and Dover streets elevations are typically quite plain, with a lip of solider course bricks along the top of the parapet and regularly spaced window banks beneath continuous concrete lintels. A distinctive feature is the very large original rainwater heads.

Non-original alterations and additions to the c.1942 factory and other buildings on the site are not significant.

How it is significant?
The former Melbourne Wire Works factory at 85-99 Cremorne Street, Cremorne is of local historic and architectural significance to the City of Yarra.

Why it is significant?
The former Melbourne Wire Works is historically significant as tangible evidence of the industrial development of Cremorne during the interwar period. In the twentieth century Richmond became one of the centres of manufacturing in Melbourne and Cremorne was one of three areas designated for industry within the municipality. The Melbourne Wire Works was one of the first industries established in Cremorne and this factory is associated with a major phase of development of the company in the interwar period when it became one of the largest industrial complexes in Cremorne. (Criterion A)

The former Melbourne Wire Works is a good example of the factory and office complexes of the late interwar period. Typically, it comprises a more architecturally adorned front section attached to a more utilitarian rear section. The use of Moderne detailing is characteristic of factories of the 1930s, which was intended to demonstrate a modern and forward looking image for companies. (Criterion D)

Group

Manufacturing and Processing