W.T. RAWLEIGH & CO. (FORMER)

How is it significant?
The warehouse, fence and factory 60 Dawson Street, Brunswick, is of local historical, representative and aesthetic significance to the City of Moreland.

Why is it significant?
The former W.T. Rawleigh factory and warehouse at 60 Dawson Street, Brunswick, is historically significant as part of the strong growth in industry and manufacturing in Moreland during the interwar period. Brunswick and Coburg were key areas in Moreland where industry was located. The site is historically significant as the greatly expanded place where the Australian subsidiary of the American company W.T. Rawleigh & Co. manufactured household products, medicines, remedies, food additives, cleaning products and toiletries for distribution through the novel method of door to door sales representatives. (Criterion A)
The former factory building at 60 Dawson Street, Brunswick, is significant as a representative example of an industrial building in the Moderne style, and is demonstrative of the Interwar industrial development in Moreland. The Moderne style was especially suited for the new building typology of 'modern' factories and expressed progress and economic advancement. Many manufacturing companies adapted this style for their own use, though many sites now converted to other uses or redeveloped entirely. 60 Dawson Street is an unusually large and externally intact example that compares favourably with the Hutchinson's flour mill of 1939-40 at1-7 Marlborough Street Glenroy (HO310). 60 Dawson Street is significant as an example of the commercial work of celebrated and prolific architect Marcus Barlow (1890-1954) whose commercial work spanned the 1920s-1940s. (Criterion A & D)
The former factory building at 60 Dawson Street, Brunswick, is aesthetically significant for its simplified Moderne styling consisting of plain red brick walls with horizontal bands of render (some of which have been clad with metal). The factory and warehouse is a landmark in the local area with its five-storey height and large scale. Other features that are part of its aesthetic importance are the steel framed industrial windows and the vertical brick features to the entrances. The large extension to the rear is not significant. The front fence appears to be contemporary with the building and is significant to the extent of the brick component, but not the metal palisades. Alterations including the painting to the ground floor and signage panels that conceal original signage are not significant. (Criterion E)

Group

Manufacturing and Processing

Category

Confectionery manufacture