SUTCLIFFE'S BUILDINGS

The Sutcliffe Buildings at 19-25 Commercial Street, Korumburra, built in 1892, are significant. These three double storey Federation brick shops, with residences above, has a red brick facade with rendered bands on the upper floors of No. 21 and 25. The upper floors have centrally divided segmental arched windows above each store with deep panel piers and strolled cornice blocks separating the shops. The Dutch parapet pediments on the upper floor of each store includes some original urns. Other contributory features include: 

It is noted that none of the shopfronts are in the original state.

The former Sutcliffe Buildings are of local historic and aesthetic significance to the South Gippsland Shire. The buildings also have strongly association to the local businessman, Mr John Sutcliffe.

Historically, the former Sutcliffe Buildings are one of the oldest commercial buildings in Korumburra and the South Gippsland Shire. When completed, Korumburra was still in the early stages of settlement, with early photographs showing the buildings surrounded by remnants of the forests that once covered the township. The former Sutcliffe Buildings demonstrate the first phase of development in Korumburra following the opening of the Southeastern railway in 1891. (Criterion A) 
Aesthetically, the former Sutcliffe Buildings are a superior example of Federation commercial design within the South Gippsland Shire. The buildings are notable for their unusual division of the segmental arched windows and central pier. It is also notable that these buildings are one of only two examples of brick double storey terrace buildings in the Shire. This group of buildings continue to remain prominent, important features of Korumburra and significantly contribute to the Commercial Street streetscape. (Criterion E)
The buildings are strongly associated with the local businessman, John Sutcliffe, who was well known within the community and helped build the Austral Hotel in 1894 (see KOR-BR-034). Mr Sutcliffe purchased a number of sites in Korumburra during the early land sales of the township and gained recognition as Korumburra began to grow. (Criterion H)