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Windsor Post Office

Other Name

172 Peel Street, Windsor

Location

172 Peel Street WINDSOR, Stonnington City

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

A finely detailed and refreshingly innovative example of Edwardian Free Style design with Arts and Crafts leaning, the Windsor Post Office and Telephone Exchange was erected in 1907-08 to the design of H J MacKennal of the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs. The reinforced concrete frame which carries much of the structure was designed by John Monash and is an early example of the use of this technique in Australian building. The compact Peel Street facade is of red brick incorporating string courses of rockfaced freestone with mullions and transoms of ashlar and leadlighted windows. The surviving stained glass is worthy of particular note as intact examples in the post offices are now rare. In its ecpression of materials, window design and broad elevational composition, it may be compared with the Arts and Crafts work of William Lethaby: comparison may also be made with the Free Style designs ofLeonard Stokes, including a number of telephone ex hanges. With the exceptions of the chimney in the gable end and a small proportion of the leadlight, the building appears to be remarkably intact externally. This is enhanced by the survival of the wrought iron front fence and the unpainted brick and stonework.

Group