Preservation - Collingwood TAFE, (former Collingwood Technical College), 241 Johnston Street, Collingwood
(Percy Everett for the Public Works Department, 1943)
former Collingwood Technical College
OCTOBER 2010
The Victorian State Government recently announced an additional $10 million (bringing their total contribution to $13 million) to assist Circus Oz to relocate from their Port Melbourne base to the old Collingwood TAFE building in Johnston St.Lovell Chen Architects and Heritage Consultants have been appointed as architects for the works required. Circus Oz hope to their new home opened by 2012. For more information see New Digs for Circus Oz on their website.
Besides being a fine example of a Moderne school building by Public Works architect, Percy Everett, the site also boasts a rare Australian work by artist Keith Haring. Haring painted the mural during a visit to Melbourne in 1984. Both the building and mural are listed on the Heritage Victoria Register.
WINTER 2007 - Preservation News
The former 'Collingwood Tech' has been transformed into Australia's first community justice centre. The school was designed in Moderne style by Victoria's Government Architect, Percy Everett, in 1943 to replace a 1912 building destroyed by fire. Heritage Victoria advises that a $150,000 heritage grant was provided to fund repair and re-glazing of the original steel-framed windows, regarded as a striking feature of the building.Repairing and re-glazing the original windows was considered a much better heritage outcome than the more expedient option of total replacement (see Inherit, the Heritage Council Magazine, July 2007).
After watching the building deteriorate over the years, we welcome the adaptive re-use of a significant building.
APRIL 2006 - Preservation News
The City of Yarra has approved plans for adaptive re-use of the site to a community centre.A new entrance will be constructed on the Wellington St side, and the Johnston St entrance will be retained. Council has imposed strict conditions on the works.
SUMMER 2006 - Preservation News
The City of Yarra has issued a permit for the adaptive re-use of the former Collingwood Technical School, designed by State Government architect, Percy Everett, who was responsible for numerous fine public buildings throughout Victoria. The permit ensures the retention of features such as steel windows, glazing, brick spandrels and the repair of face brickwork.The building has been vacant for some time and ADS welcomes the resolution of its future.