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BRUNSWICK & COBURG UFS DISPENSARY (FORMER)

Other Name

Brunswick West Pharmacy, United Friendly Societies Dispensary, Shop

Location

228 MELVILLE ROAD,, BRUNSWICK WEST VIC 3055 - Property No 8167

Level

Recommended for Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former Brunswick & Coburg United Friendly Society Dispensary, now the Brunswick West Pharmacy, designed by H.M. Thompson and R.A. Terry and constructed in 1930 at 228 Melville Road, Brunswick West, is significant. This is a single storey interwar commercial building occupying a prominent corner site within a small interwar shopping centre at the intersection of Melville Road and Moreland Road. It is constructed from red brick, with rendered bands at sill height and the base of the low simple parapet surmounted by a rendered cornice that partially conceals a hip roof. Pilasters that project slightly above the parapet mark the corners of the building (the and frame the central section of the long south facade, which contains three arched multi-paned timber sash windows (one since converted to a doorway) which are slightly inset below the original render panel sign with 'Brunswick & Coburg UFS Dispensary' in raised letters. The sign panel is shaped with incised ends and a pointed top, which echoes the low triangular pediment above.The bay to the left contains a tall rectangular multi-paned timber sashwindow, while there is a smaller window in the bay to the right.The narrow Melville Road facade contains a small arched timber multi-paned sash window to the right, a large arched central window with a multi-paned highlight and a large fixedpane below,and an arched doorway with multi-paned highlight to the left. All openings are slightly inset. Above is a cantllevered canopy.

Non-original alterations and additions including the signage are not significant.

How is it significant?
The former Brunswick & Coburg United Friendly Society Dispensary, at 228 Melville Road, Brunswick West is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Moreland.

Why is it significant?
It is significant for its association with the co-operative system of pharmaceutical supply to members of friendly societies, which developedin the late nineteenth century and flourished until well into thetwentieth century.This branch, erected in 1930, demonstrates the expansion of UFS facilities during the interwar period and is associated with the suburban development of Brunswick West at that time. It is of note as the only surviving UFS still used for its original purpose. (Criteria A & H)

Aesthetically, it is a fine and well-detailed example of an interwar commercial building, which is notable for its relatively high degree of intactness including original fenestration and signage. Occupying a prominent corner site, it is a distinctive element within the streetscape in Melville Road. (Criterion D & E)

Group