Historical information
The photograph taken in 1988 before it was demolished shows the Art Deco style building also known as the King George V memorial Building, commissioned by merchant and philanthropist, Alfred Michael Nicholas (1881-1937) and designed by prolific Melbourne-based architect Harry A. Norris (1888-1966) in 1937 best known for his commercial work in Melbourne city centre.
Significance
Architect Harry A Norris, one of Melbourne's early designers in the Moderne style had a strong relationship with the wealthy Nicholas family who made their fortune on the production of Aspro, a replacement for the German Aspirin when it was made unavailable during WWI. After the Nicholas Building on Swanson Street (1926), the Nicholas Factory in South Melbourne, and the mansion 'Burnham Beeches' in the Dandenongs (1931), the former Missions to Seamen building in Port Melbourne (1937) was a gift from Alfred Nicholas to the Church of England.
“The new Institute will be a modern two story building in brick, with a high clock-tower, a memorial chapel, a hall for talking pictures, lounges, and billiard-rooms. It will stand in about an acre of ground between the two piers at Port Melbourne. The building of the mission has been made possible by a bequest of about£15,000 by the late Mr. A. M. Nicholas.” – The Argus 19th May, 1937.
The building had a cruciform floor plan which contains a chapel, a large hall, other recreation rooms, sleeping accommodation on the first floor and a sundeck and living quarters for the chaplain and the caretaker. After being left derelict for years, it was demolished in 1994 to
Physical description
Colour photograph of Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen demolished in 1995.
Subjects
References
- Mission to Seamen (Vic.) : Australian Gallery File Circular letter dated 29 May, 1987, from Art Direction outlining a proposal to turn the Mission to Seamen buidling into a Living Arts Centre. [2] p. Artists at the Mission, Saturday 19th August, [1989] at the Mission Art Centre. [invitation]. (one invitation card). Clay works and photographs by graduate students of Victoria College, Prahran, November 5-15, 1987. [invitation]. (one sheet). Zeitgeist - Spirit of the Times - paintings by Phil Edwards, Robert Ewing and Anthony May, Sculptures by Andrea Griffin, August 18- September 8, [1988]. [invitation]. (one sheet). Kangaroos in Bourke St., -mixed media group exhibition - Monday, 18th april, [1988]. [invitation]. (one invitation sheet). Artists exhibiting were :- Russel Comte, Michael Fitzgerald, Greg Holland, Roger Hose, Rex Keene, Brian Murray, Sharon O'Keeffe, Dianna Orton, Russell Rankin, Cahrol Speed, Frank Trobbiani, Hugh Waller, Robert Whitson. Files contain material such as art exhibition catalogues, invitations, press clippings, media releases and/or other ephemeral items relating to Australian artists and galleries, where there are more than three artists exhibiting at the one exhibition. Other material may be collected under individual artists in the Australian Art and Artists file.
