Shops & Offices

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The shop and office, 121 Ryrie Street, Geelong, has significance as part of a larger building that represents a reasonably intact example of a Victorian Free commercial style. Built in 1888 for John Wadelton, chemist, to a design by the Geelong architect Joseph Watts, the building is a legacy of the commercial developments in Geelong in the second half of the 19th century. The site had a long history as the location for chemists, having been Robert McDonalds New Drug Hall from 1854 and the later building serving as Dicksons Pharmacy from 1918 until the 1970s. The building appears to be in fair condition when viewed from the street, with some evidence of deterioration about the windows and parapet.

The shop and office, 121 Ryrie Street is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. Although altered, it still demonstrates original design qualities of an intact Victorian Free commercial style. These qualities include the two bayed composition defined by three Corinthian pilasters on the first floor, projecting rectangular parapet supported by decorative paired consoles above the pilasters and projecting rectangular brackets, crowning balustraded parapet with terminal piers surmounted by orbs, and the projecting moulded stringcourse that defines the first floor level and which is punctuated by square brackets. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the two storey height, rendered brick wall construction, two timber framed double hung first floor windows with rendered sills and moulded rendered architraves, signage that reads "Dicksons Pharmacy and Photo Store", rear unpainted brick wall construction and the rear window openings. The architectural significance of this shop and office also relies on the retention and conservation of the neighbouring shop and office at 119 Ryrie Street.

The shop and office, 121 Ryrie Street, is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with commercial developments in Geelong in the second half of the 19th century. In particular, this building has associations with John Wadelton, chemist and original owner from 1888, who commissioned the Geelong architect Joseph Watts to design a new building to replace Robert McDonalds New Drug Store that had been constructed in 1854. Watts also designed the neighbouring building at 119 Ryrie Street, which was built simultaneously to this building. The new building had a long history as a chemist, being known for many years as Dicksons Pharmacy from 1918 and serving several chemists until 1970.

Overall, the shop and office at 121 Ryrie Street is of LOCAL significance.

References

References Reports and Drainage Plans, Barwon Water profis system, 1918, 1939, 1946, 1948, 1956, 1980.

Voters Roll, Kardinia Ward, 1992, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Sands & McDougalls Directory of Geelong, 1972, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Sands & McDougalls "Invicta" Geelong Directory, 1968, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Geelong City Council Rate Books (Villamanta Ward), 1854-1960, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Town Plan of Geelong 1858, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Titles Search Application APP22076, Land Titles Office, Marland House, Bourke Street, Melbourne.

Investigator, Journal of the Geelong Historical Society, March, 1980, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Morrow, W.J., Index to the Geelong Advertiser, 1888, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Huddle, L., Ryrie Street, Geelong, Various photographs and Street Survey Map, Authentic Heritage Services.

Rowe, D., Architecture of Geelong 1860-1900, B. Arch. Thesis, Deakin University, 1991.

Group

Retail and Wholesale

Category

Shopping/retail complex