Former Crone's buildings, 80-84 Napier Street, ST ARNAUD

The former Crone's Building, 80-84 Napier Street, St. Arnaud, makes an outstanding contribution to the streetscape of St. Arnaud as a largely intact example of Federation Filigree commercial design. Built in 1910 for the butcher, James Crone, the building has served as shop and residence (with different occupiers) until the present day.

The former Crone's Building is architecturally significant at a STATE level. It demonstrates in an outstanding way many design qualities of the Federation Filigree style. These qualities include the two storey balcony and verandah with its bullnosed galvanised corrugated iron roof (painted green), turned timber balcony columns, elaborate cast iron balcony valances and balustrades (which may be the work of the prolific cast iron maker, Angus McLean), and the striking Art Nouveau timber and iron valances of the ground floor verandah, with its elongated and pointed curves and sinuous lines, and fluted cast iron columns. Other intact qualities include the ground floor shop front with dark green and orange tiles, timber and metal framed glazing and doors; Classically inspired and balustraded parapet with its central rendered pediment containing a bull's head and name and date plates; parapet panelled piers with simple geometric urns; tall red and cream brick chimneys; three bays of segmentally arched timber framed first floor openings (double hung windows and one central door with highlight) and the cream rendered stringcourse band (that follows the arches of the first floor openings).

The former Crone's Building is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of the local butchery owned by James Crone from 1910, and with later commercial developments.

The former Crone's Building is scientifically significant at a LOCAL level. The cast iron balcony and verandah detailing represent forms of construction no longer in use. The former Crone's Building is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised and valued by the St. Arnaud community as an early and long standing place of commercial development.

Overall, the former Crone's Building is of STATE significance.

Group

Retail and Wholesale

Category

Other - Retail & Wholesale