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Michael's Building

Location 265 - 269 Elizabeth Street,, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 - Property No B6266 File Number B6266 Level State

[1/1] B6266 Michael's Building

Statement of Significance

Michael's Corner Building is of architectural significance at a state level because of its early use of a concrete structural system, its lack of ornamentation and the ratio of window to wall, a ratio which presaged the architecture of later decades.
Built by W H Murphy in 1915 for Emanuel Michael, pawnbroker and jeweller, to the designs of Beaver & Purnell, architects.
The building is three storeys, with extensive glazed areas, some of which project. The corner bay extends to form a low oriel and is joined to adjacent bays by a simple cornice and ornamented stylised brackets. This gives the building an austere and functional appearance, in sharp contrast to the picturesque revival styles of the period. This may well reflect the influence of Isadore Beaver, Purnell's American partner.
Classified: 16/10/1991