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South MelbourneTown Hall

Location 208 - 220 Bank Street and Cnr Layfield Street,, SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205 - Property No B0578 File Number B0578 Level State

[1/1] B0578 South Melbourne Town

Statement of Significance

The South Melbourne Town Hall built between 1879-1880 and added to in 1881 and later during the 1930s is of historical, social and architectural significance at the State level.
It is of high architectural significance because it is an outstanding example of the Italian Renaissance style with French Second Empire influences. Charles Webb designed the 1879-1880 major part of the building and it is one of his most important works.
It is of historical significance because it was built on the original site of the Melbourne Orphanage in Dorcas Street, Emerald Hill, which then became South Melbourne in 1883. The site was selected for the town hall because it was the most prominent in the local area. This landmark Town Hall is also one of Victoria's grandest, which reflected the development and prosperity of Emerald Hill/South Melbourne.
The South Melbourne Town Hall is of social significance because of the Jubilee Fountain located in the forecourt, which commemorates both the jubilee of the municipality as well as the 140 local residents who fought in the South African Boer War, and the eight who died. The Jubilee Fountain was built in 1905 to the design of G.H. Henderson.
Classified: 'Local' 13/04/1961
Revised: 12/03/1964