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Num Pon Soon

Location 200-202 Little Bourke Street,, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 - Property No B0126 File Number B0126 Level State

[1/1] B0126 Num Pon Soon 200-202

Statement of Significance

Num Pon Soon Chinese Society Clubhouse,a delightful two storey structure, was erected in 1861 and has been attributed to Peter Kerr, who was an architect with the Public Works Department from 1866 to 1890. Lowe Kong Meng, one of the leaders of the Chinese community at the time, advocated the building of the clubhouse and contributed towards its erection. Today the main upstairs room is used for meetings of the Society and the ground floor is sub-let for commercial purposes.
Originally colonnaded on both levels, this building is a fine example of conservative classicism. Its importance lies in the high quality of design and workmanship in the decoration and the unusual motifs. These include the ground floor cornice with enriched evolute spiral moulding, the composite columns, the enriched torus moulding on the first floor cornice and the Chinese inspired first floor windows and lanterns . The building has always served as a Chinese Club House in this important Little Bourke Street precinct.
Alterations have been made to the ground floor which was probably an open colonnade.
Classified: 'Regional' 05/06/1958
Revised: 'State' 03/08/1998