1 Hawke Street

Level of significance: Registered as contributory

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former S. J. Marshall building is a two-story brick and bluestone building. It contains fabric from several different periods of building and alteration. The earliest section dates from 1921 era, while the addition of the King street side entry way, its overhang and windows were made towards the end of the 1980’s. A 1960’s photograph of the building showed main entry way on Hawke Street side and 9 pane window glazing treatment to the ground and first floor level, but these have since been removed and replaced with single pane sheets of glass.

How is it significant?
The former S. J. Marshall building is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
The former S. J. Marshall building is of historical significance as one of the early 20th century examples of a commercial building and factory in the State. Its Hawke Street façade contains stylistic monument parapet elements from the post ww1 era when Australian manufacturing began to grow and prosper rapidly.

The factory proper dates from 1920 and provides important evidence of the character of early 20th century industrial organisation in Melbourne. The S. J. Marshall building was established in the wake of post-world war one returning solder boom where metropolitan growth benefited from the introduction of new manufacturing which had become an important part of the economy. Manufacturing industry’s significance as an employer compared highly to other more traditional agricultural and mining based sectors of the working population in Australia at that period of time.

The S. J. Marshall building and later known as Noel P. Hunt & Co Limited was one of the few new era mechanised 20th century manufacturers and has been credited with introducing advanced overseas technology to Victoria. Although there have been some external changes to the building over the years, the essential design and structure of the complex provide a substantially intact representation of contemporary factory design and working conditions, and of aspects of 20th century building technology. All bricks used in construction were of first quality machine made and laid in English bond with every brick and each course flushed up and grouted with mortar. All exposed joints inside and outside were finished with a neat flat struck joint. Corbel out brickwork that form cement molds and cornice, also under top mold to pediments. Two Jarrah staircases to first floor. Cement on inside and outside faces all over lintels and doors, windows and louvre openings and color all lintels on external faces and all cement molds on elevations to King and Hawke Streets with two coats of No. 212 Indelliblo. Lime whiten in two coats the whole of the internal brickwork, including stair wells, laboratory and brick closets and air lock also all joists and underside of flooring to first floor.

The Former S. J. Marshall building is of historical significance as evidence of the character of Melbourne’s early manufacturing development. The combination of showroom, factory and scientific laboratory is a reminder of a time when the city was much more forward thinking for that period post the 19th century and new ideas were being embraced more into the workplace. The building also demonstrates the long-term continuity of industrial usage in this part of North and West Melbourne.

The S. J. Marshall building is of historical significance for its associations with the notable S. J. Marshall, A. J. Wood and Noel P. Hunt & Co Limited. S. J. Marshall was a prominent and well-respected member of the Manufacturing Chemists Board of Victoria, he owned the site prior to 1920 and established the current building there in 1920. He engaged A. J. Wood architect to design and oversea the construction of the building. It is important to note the influence that A. J. Wood had on Melbourne’s Architecture at that time. Educated at Scotch College, Mr. Wood was a member of the architects’ registration board and upon retirement in 1932 from 40 years of service both privately and for State Public Works department as chief architect, he was widely known by leaders of the building industry in the State. Amongst some of the outstanding works controlled and supervised by Mr. Wood were the Mont Park Mental Hospital, the Emily McPherson School of Domestic Economy and the University High School in Parkville. A later occupant of the building after the 1950’s and listed in the encyclopedia of Australian Science, Noel P. Hunt was established in 1921 and offered custom-made machines, including fabric-inspection and fabric-rolling equipment nationwide.

The Former S. J. Marshall building is of architectural significance because of its interesting window treatment (although it has subsequently been altered, it is restorable) and as part of a coherent early-20th century commercial streetscape which gives some idea of the architectural character of Melbourne in the post-world war one period.

Construction dates: 1920, & later alterations post 1980’s

History

Contextual History: History of Place:
This building was specifically built to accommodate manufacturing, as evidenced by the provision of natural light and ventilation and using timber lining in the internal finishes to improve insulation and reduce dust. The building showed quite advanced industrial organisation, which is interesting for its post-world war one time era.

Associated People:
Samuel John ‘S. J.’ Marshall
Archer John ‘A. J.’ Wood
Noel P. Hunt