Back to search results » Back to search page »

ESSENDON & FLEMINGTON TOWN HALL (FORMER)

Other Name

Flemington and Essendon Borough Hall

Location

1 & 1A WARRICK STREET, and MOUNT ALEXANDER ROAD, ASCOT VALE, MOONEE VALLEY CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2]
First Essendon and Flemington
[2/2]
First Essendon and Flemington

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former Flemington and Essendon Borough Hall, at 1A Warrick Street, Ascot Vale, of 1863-64. The hall was designed by architect and surveyor Peter Matthews. After Flemington and Kenslngton broke away in 1882, Essendon Borough offices moved to Moonee Ponds, and the building was used first as a Congregational Church, and later as a school. A row of shops was built in front of its facade in 1923 (NB: these shops are not protected as part of this place).

The Borough Hall is a two-storey, gable-fronted building of brown brick with cream brick dressings. It has a slate roof, and two small hipped roof pavilions on either side. The front gable is expressed as a classical pediment with an oculus at the centre. The building comers are also articulated by cream brick quoins, and the raking and return cornices of the gable front are entirely constructed of cream brick. Ground floor openings are arched, while first floor windows are rectangular, both with cream brick quoins.

How is it significant?
The former Flemington and Essendon Borough Hall is of rarity value, historical and aesthetic significance to the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?
It is of rarity value as the first municipal building to be constructed in the Moonee Valley area, shortly after Flemington and Essendon were incorporated as a borough in 1863. It is a tangible reminder of this early and now-defunct municipality. (Criteria B & A)

Historically, its location in the southern part of the former borough reflects the early growth of Flemington Hill which was the most densely populated area at the time. Its location on Mt Alexander Road also reflects the pre-eminence of this road up until the 1880s as a site for commercial and civic development. (Criterion A)

Aesthetically, it is a very early example of the use of bichrome (or polychrome) brickwork in the Melbourne metropolitan area, and the earliest identified example in the City of Moonee Valley. It is also an good example of the conservative classical style, though this style was more frequently seen for religious buildings. While most of its bulk is now concealed from Mt Alexander Road, fine detailing is still visible, such as the oculus window to the front gable and the moulded bricks of the raking cornice.(Criteria B & D)

Group