1-17 Stafford Street

The former Whybrow's Boot Factory at 1-17 Stafford Street, Abbotsford dates from 1892 and is a two storey overpainted brick building, rectangular in plan, with a non-original shallow gable roof. The facade to Stafford Street comprises 11 bays, defined by pilasters or piers, with regularly spaced window openings, the majority of which are currently panelled in or overpainted. Large windows, recessed with chamfered edges and sills, are located in most of the bays at ground floor level; while at first floor the bays have pairs of windows of rectilinear form, also with chamfered edges and sills. Doors are located in two of the bays, near the east and west ends. A brick stringcourse separates ground and first floors; a cornice tops first floor level. The fenestration and treatment of the east elevation is recent. The overpainting continues around the west, north and east fronts, although on the west it extends as far as the line of the adjoining building, and beyond that reveals the original dark red exposed face brick. Removal of the overpainting from the remainder of the building elevations would reveal the original brick surface. It appears that an upper level has been removed from the building, as evidence of the level is visible above the first floor cornice.

How is it significant?

The former Whybrow's Boot Factory at 1-17 Stafford Street, Abbotsford is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance.

Why is it significant?

The former Whybrow's Boot Factory at 1-17 Stafford Street, Abbotsford is of local historical significance. It was established in 1892 by Arthur Whybrow, a leading boot manufacturer, at the height of the economic depression which particularly impacted on the working class suburbs of Collingwood and Abbotsford. It was the first of three substantial factories associated with the expanding Whybrow boot making operation, which eventually occupied the entire Hoddle Street frontage between Studley and Stafford streets. The third major building in the complex, constructed in 1914, remains adjoining at 198-200 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford. Whybrow was one of the first boot manufacturers to use lasting machines, which enabled the mass production of shoes. By 1903, over 600 people were employed in the expanding complex, making it a major employer in the Collingwood area. The company at this time claimed to be the largest shoe manufacturer in the southern hemisphere. The factory was, in addition, one of a number of shoe and boot factories in Collingwood and Abbotsford, an area which attracted leather-based manufacturing due to proximity to tanneries on the Yarra River. The former Whybrow's Boot Factory is also of local aesthetic/architectural significance. The building dates from 1892 and is a substantial brick former factory building, with original fenestration. While the building has been modified, including through overpainting and the apparent loss of the upper level, it still reads as a nineteenth century factory building. It is also a companion building to the adjoining former Whybrow Boot Factory at 198-200 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford, which dates from 1914.

Group

Manufacturing and Processing

Category

Other - Manufacturing & Processing