Shops (former 'Mitchell's Men's & Ladies' Wear Emporium'), 121-123 Main Street STAWELL

The building at 121-123 Main Street, Stawell, makes a significant contribution to the architectural and visual amenity of the predominantly 19th and early 20th century commercial streetscape. The form and rear sections of the building also contribute to the architectural amenity of the area. Built in 1889 it was operated as a drapery by Mr. Sprague. In 1901 it became George Mitchell and Co. clothing emporium. The building features the largest and most intact early twentieth century shopfront in Stawell.

The building at 121-123 Main Street is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. Although altered, the building demonstrates original 19th century design qualities, together with significant qualities introduced during the early twentieth century. These latter qualities include the three-bayed composition of copper framed shopfronts separated by two ingoes, decorative leadlighted highlights that span the entire facade, and the cantilevering canopy with an ornate pressed metal soffit. These features combine to form the largest and most intact early twentieth century shopfront in Stawell. The intact 19th century design qualities include the rendered brick Victorian style parapet (behind the introduced hoardings) with its decorative, projecting, moulded and dentillated stringcourse, incised rectangular title panels and another moulded stringcourse. Other intact 19th century qualities include the double gabled roof form and gabled lantern lights clad in galvanised corrugated iron and horizontal timber weatherboards, side and rear brick wall construction (but not the white overpainting), double gabled rear forms of the building and skillion verandah, rear shallow-arched window and door openings featuring a timber framed double hung window and timber boarded door, and the face brick chimneys.

The building at 121-123 Main Street is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with commercial developments in Stawell from the second half of the 19th century and also the interwar period. In particular, this building was occupied by George Mitchell and Co., men's' and ladies' wear emporium.

Overall, the building at 121-123 Main Street is of LOCAL significance.