Penfold's Buildings
Former Cable Car Building,
cnr Victoria Pde & Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Victoria
In 2008/09, ADMS was engaged in a long battle to preserve a former cable-car engine house that had been given a Moderne makeover in 1936 when it was converted to the headquarters of Penfolds Wines in Victoria. Eventually VCAT issued a demolition permit and the building was finally demolished in December 2009. It highlights the difficulty of preserving buildings that are significant to the local community but not of sufficient merit to be added to the State Heritage Register.
Spring 2008 - Preservation News
Following the granting of a demolition permit by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the distinctive Fitzroy building was nominated by AD&MS to the Victorian Heritage Register. The Executive Director of Heritage Victoria rejected the nomination and the State Planning Minister has since decided that the building not be included on the Register. It would appear that the building will now be lost.
Winter 2008 - Preservation News
This former Cable Car building in Fitzroy was the subject of a review by the Historic Buildings Council to examine whether it should be included on the Victorian Heritage Register. However, the Committee determined that it did not have the power to make the determination as there had not been a formal nomination of the building. ADS lodged a nomination of the building to the Register which has been rejected, and the building would appear to by doomed.
Autumn 2008 - Preservation News
Although a demolition permit has been granted by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the distinctive Fitzroy building has been nominated to the Victorian Heritage Register. A hearing was conducted by the Historic Buildings Council in May and we await the outcome.
Summer 2008 - Preservation News
Following granting of a demolition permit by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the distinctive Fitzroy building is now the subject of a hearing in March that may see it added to the Victorian Heritage Register.
Autumn 2007 - Preservation News
The former cable-car tramway system is a major part of Melbourne's rich history. The system was replaced by electric trams during the 1920s, but the majority of the buildings that housed the trams (and the cables) remain standing, albeit re-used for other purposes.
A number were re-modelled extensively in the 1930s - promient architect Harry Norris created a car showroom (now converted to the Royce Hotel) and the Capitol Bakery in South Yarra.
A third, on the corner of Brunswick St & Victoria Pde, Fitzroy, became a storage and distribution centre for Penfold's Wines. It is the sole example of Moderne architecture in a predominantly 19thC precinct,
making it a rarity in this part of Fitzroy. It also demonstrates the application of the Moderne style to a commercial building - including subtle decorative features e.g. wave-like border at roofline,
fluted mouldings at the front door, and the inclusion of the tower facing Victoria Parade.
Unfortunately, the neon signage was lost many years ago. In recent years it has been used as a bicycle factory but it has been acquired as the site for a proposed 14 storey office block.
ADS has joined with the City of Yarra and local residents in opposing the development, on both heritage and planning grounds.
Spring 2007 - Preservation News
Despite numerous objections from the City of Yarra, ADS and local residents, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has granted a permit
for the demolition of this distinctive building and its replacement with a twelve storey building. It had started life as an engine house for cable car trams in the 1880s
and received a Moderne makeover in 1936 when it was converted to a warehouse for a wine company.
