488 La Trobe Street

Statement of Significance

What is significant?

Builder Kay Noble of Erin Street Richmond erected this factory-workshop in 1882 for the Spink Brothers, wholesale and retail tinsmiths, jam and fruit preservers of Melbourne. Noted architect, Thomas Watts, was the designer. The Spink Brothers’ tin works was at this address and their preserving works at La Trobe Street East. By 1890, Edward John Spink and Samuel Spink were declared insolvent due to Insufficient capital, arising from having sold goods too cheaply to compete; Samuel was dead by 1897. The JB Watson Trust and later Joseph W Ellis were the next major owners, leasing the building to firms such as Sass and Cockram.

The complex has developed over time with the 1895 plan showing the probable 1880s extent. Now the building extends further into the block with new fibre cement sheet clad sawtooth roofing abutting and replacing the original roofline, possibly for use by Molloy and Co, hide and skin merchants or C. N. Meyers, paper merchants.

The architect Thomas Watts was responsible for a number of large Victorian-era commercial projects including part of Felton Grimwade and Company’s early chemical works, West Melbourne, and the now demolished Robb’s Building (similar elevation to this building). The firm has a number of places listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and some 269 entries in the Australian Architecture Index.

Victorian Heritage Register examples associated with Watts include:
• Dalmeny House etc 21, 23 Queensberry Street, Carlton, erected in 1888 by the Paterson family;
• Malvern House Willoby Avenue, Glen Iris built in 1891-2;
• Bontharambo Homestead Boorhaman Road, Wangaratta;
• Prince’s Park Grandstand Park Street, Maryborough;
• CSR Complex Whitehall Street, Yarraville, 1870s wing; and
• Bank Of Victoria Camp Street, Beechworth.

This building was identified in the Central Activities District (CAD) Conservation Study of 1985, with the note that it possessed `high integrity for type and scale in the CAD’. This integrity has been reduced since.

Contributory elements include:
• 2 storey cemented parapeted Italian Renaissance Revival style façade;
• simple cornice and entablature;

• double-hung sash windows to upper level with cemented architraves;
• double-hung sash windows to east side wall;
• red brick saw-tooth rear wings potential early 20th century visible on west;
• original side wall, fenestration and roofline on east side (loading doors changed); and
• ground level segmentally arched openings, with identified significant window joinery and openings extended to near ground level since 1985.

Changes to ground level as above, former lobby door entry changed since 1985; bricks painted over east side wall, openings and loading doors changed. Sawtooth wall and roofing added.

How is it significant?

Edward J and Samuel Spink’s tinsmith workshop is significant historically and aesthetically to West Melbourne.

Why is it significant?

Edward J. and Samuel Spink’s tinsmith workshop is significant.
• Historically, as an early and relatively well-preserved industrial building in the Melbourne Central Activities District, linked with jam making, fruit preserving and the Spink brothers; and
• Aesthetically, as a custom workshop design by renowned architect, Thomas Watts in the prevailing commercial style.

source: Melbourne Planning Scheme, West Melbourne Heritage Review 2016. An incorporated document in the Melbourne planning Scheme pursuant to
section 6(2)(j) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987