FORMER CHEMIST SHOP

The original shop was enlarged into one room and the chemist shop enlarged to a two storey brick building with a Waurn Ponds stone western wall on a bluestone plinth and Stawell stone shopfront piers. The shop verandah has a pressed metal sheet ceiling. Access to the residence is via a side entrance which opens into a stairwell. The leadlight windows, stained timber arch and stair itself are of interest as are a number of other fixtures including the exposed brick chimney breast in the main private room downstairs. The glazed first floor doors leading into the small verandah overlooking Ormond Road are features of the upper floor. Apart from the removal of shop fittings and the stained glass above the shop entrance, there have been only minor alterations to the building.

In summary, the building is of architectural and historic significance

- as one of the most interesting and best surviving examples of early twentieth century shops; - being influential as an example which is transitional between the Art Nouveau influenced Edwardian period to the architecture of the 1920s;

- for its creative and unusual use of stone; - as an example of the commercial work of architect Louis Williams;

- for its association with the Barker family and especially Alice Kelso Barker, one of the first women chemists;

- the 1917 extension reflects the rapid development of Elwood around the time of the First World War.

Group

Health Services

Category

Dispensary