SHOPS AND RESIDENCES

The Shops and Residences at 220-222 Timor Street Warrnambool were most probably erected prior to 1860 and are derivative of colonial regency architectural traditions. The building is of rubble limestone with a street level facade of identical glazed shop fronts and entry doors, flanked by Tuscan pilasters surmounted by a simplified string course entablature with a regularly fenestrated, rendered upper floor facade with matching parapet entablature.

How is it significant?

The Shops and Residences at 220-222 Timor Street Warrnambool are of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Shops and Residences at 220-222 Timor Street Warrnambool are of historical significance as two of the oldest surviving commercial premises in Warrnambool. Although there is a considerable number of 19th century commercial buildings in Warrnambool’s central area, most have had their facades substantially modernised over the years. The shopfronts of the building at 220-222 Timor Street, in contrast, retain a 19th century character, with their relatively small-paned windows, and identical layout. The building provides an example of some of the earliest development in Timor Street, which underwent substantial development from the 1870s onwards, to become Warrnambool’s commercial centre. Few buildings from this earlier period of development now remain intact.

The Shops and Residences at 220-222 Timor Street Warrnambool are of historical significance as evidence of the character of commercial development in 19th century towns. The presence of the residences above the shops provides evidence of the pedestrian-focussed character of 19th century cities and towns. The residences were intended for occupation by the shopkeeper, indicating the close connection between work and private life for many small scale shop-owners, a facet of urban social organisation that is rapidly declining in the contemporary city.

The Shops and Residences at 220-222 Timor Street Warrnambool are of architectural significance as a remarkably intact and rare representation in Western Victoria of early colonial architectural traditions which clearly derive from colonial Regency and pattern book sources. Pattern books provided standardised designs from which builders could draw without having to employ architects.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House