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TASMA TERRACE

Location

2-12 PARLIAMENT PLACE AND 34-40 ST ANDREWS PLACE EAST MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY

File Number

604971

Level

Registered

[1/2]
1 tasma terrace parliament
[2/2]
h01025 plan h1025

Statement of Significance

Tasma terrace, once comprising seven three storey buildings, was constructed in two stages. The first three buildings were erected in 1878-78 by William Ireland for George Nipper, grain merchant and shipowner. The remaining four buildings were constructed in 1886-87 by Dunton and Hearnden for Joseph Thompson, bookmaker. The architect for the completion of the terrace and probably for the earlier stage was Charles Webb. One of the buildings was demolished c.1940, the rear wings were also demolished c.1972

Tasma terrace is a rare example of a three storey terrace development despite having one of the dwellings and all of the rear wings demolished the remaining sections are substantially intact.

Tasma terrace is an important work of the distinguished architect, Charles Webb, whose other works include Wesley College (1864), Alfred hospital (1869), Royal Arcade (1869) and the Grand hotel, later the Windsor (1884).

Tasma Terrace, the subject of a major preservation battle from 1970-72 holds an important place in the history of building conservation in the state of Victoria. The preservation campaign resulted in the government enacting legislation in 1972 which established the government buildings advisory council, Australia's first legislation for the preservation of government owned historic buildings.

Tasma terrace demonstrates the entrepreneurial optimism which characterised the boom period of Victoria's history in the late 1870S and 1880S.

Group