Lygon Street Precinct B

 The Lygon Street Precinct B area comprises a row of single storey shops terminating in a two storey shop on the east side of Lygon Street between Hickford and Queen Streets. It comprises the buildings from 398-406 Lygon Street, and a bluestone pitcher lane at the rear of the row. The row of shops was built at the same time (1929-1926), and exhibit similar restrained classical detailing and features throughout all buildings. The precinct is in good to fair condition, and despite the loss of details and some alterations, retains a fair degree of integrity. 

Elements which contribute to the significance of the precinct include (but are not limited to):
 
- The row itself which is a cohesive unit stretching from Queen to Hickford Streets
- The bluestone access lane at the rear of the row
- The intact shopfront at 398 and 406 Lygon Street
- The intact cantilever verandahs at 400 and 406 Lygon Street (NB: the verandahs at Nos. 402 & 404 have been replaced in kind) 
- The intact parapet form and design of 398 &402-406
- Roofs concealed by parapets 
- Both corner buildings actively respond to their location
- The two storey form of the auction room on the corner provides an anchor to the row and embellishes on the details used on the other shops.
- The attached form shops with no front setbacks and identical facade widths creating a repetitive module.
- The limited number of modern internally illuminated signs
- Signage generally located on parapet, verandah fascia or beneath verandah

Later alterations and additions are not significant, including the two storey rear wing to no. 406

 The Lygon Street Precinct B is of historical and aesthetic significance to the City of Merri-bek.

 The Lygon Street Precinct B is aesthetically significant as a rare surviving example of a row of interwar row of shops that stretches from street to street. The corner buildings respond to their location, and the two-storey building provides an anchor to the row and embellishes on the details used on the other shops. It is of further aesthetic significance as a good representative example of a cohesively designed row of interwar shops with classical details. The use of restrained classical details, particularly Greek inspired, is one of the markers of 1920s commercial architecture. (Criterion B & E)

The precinct is also of historical significance for its capacity to illustrate one of two major phases of development in the municipality; the economic and residential 'boom' within Merri-bek following the First World War. (Criterion A)