Richard Clarke & Co.

The two-storey rendered brick store at Ryrie Street was erected in 1878 for pioneer Geelong grocers Richard Clarke and Co, to eclectic designs by Architects Alexander Davidson and Co. The design which combines elements of French Romanesque and Byzantine Architecture in a free form compositors is characteristic of Davidson's distinctive innovative style in Geelong Richard Clarke was an influential early Geelong pioneer merchant, and the elaborate building is testimony to his success as a businessman. At the time of opening, the building had an extensive cellar with a hydraulic lift servicing the upper floors.

References

Geelong Advertiser 26 June 1878 tender notice

Geelong Advertiser 5 July 1878 report on proposed building including details of design and subcontract amounts.

Allan Willingham, 'Two Scots in Victoria: The Architecture of Davidson and Henderson' Master of Architecture Thesis, University of Melbourne 1983-p255.

PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS

S. & J. Boyd, masonary; White and Handley, brickwork; C.J. Taylor, carpentry; Wm Ramsay, plumber; Reilly Bros., plasterers; J E Pittock, slater; Bradley and Drew, painters and glaziers; Humble and Nicholson, hydraulic lift manufacturer.

R. W. Brownhill The History of Geelong and Corio Bay. Wilke and Co. Melbourne, 1955- pp. 175, 256, 584 and description of store p. 340.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House