1874 Treasury Building
SKU: MI_1234
Description
The Old Treasury Building is one of the finest nineteenth century buildings in Australia, and one of a handful of buildings built during the 1850s gold rush to survive in Melbourne. Other grand public buildings nearby include the Parliament Building and the Government Printer’s Office. This suite of public buildings expressed the wealth and self-confidence of the relatively youthful colony of Victoria.
The first known contract drawings of the building were created in 1857 by John James ‘JJ’ Clark, a 19-year-old draftsman in the Public Works Department. His design for the Treasury Building is in the Renaissance Revival style, derived from the 'Italian palazzo' form popular in the nineteenth century. While the design changed before construction commenced, each version incorporated elements of the classic architectural orders: Doric, Ionic or Corinthian. JJ Clark was able to blend these traditional styles to create a wonderfully harmonious façade. Clark would go on to become one of the best-known architects in Australia and designed many fine buildings in several states.
The first construction contract was given to Robert Huckson in January 1858 for the substructure, basement and ground floor. Huckson would later receive the contract for the next stage of the first and second floors.
The exterior was constructed with Bacchus March sandstone (or freestone) from the Bald Hills quarry, approximately 50 kilometres west of Melbourne. This is over brick walls, with bluestone foundations. The bluestone foundations were mined from Footscray, and the floor above the barrel-vaulted basement is one metre thick.
The building itself was completed in 1862, but a shortage of funds meant that the forecourt remained unfinished. Until 1868 the front steps and terrace were temporary, with individual staircases leading to the three main front doors. These were replaced with the grand forecourt still standing today. Eventually the forecourt would have a guardhouse as well.
The Old Treasury Building is one of Melbourne’s heritage icons and is listed on the state Heritage Register.
We've included a couple of photos in the slideshow by Barnett Johnstone, showing the construction of the building at various stages.
All text © HotPress
Photographer was Charles Bayliss.
This is a digitally retouched reproduction of the original held by the State Library of New South Wales. All prints are reproduced without the HOTPRESS watermarks.
Our team of conservators have worked on a high resolution digital image in order to remove some of the damage caused by the handling and storage of the original. We strive to provide authentic representations of the original work that are suitable for enlargements that retain the tones and character of the original. Please note that small but numerous blemishes will be visible in any size print of this image, especially anything larger than A4.
Description
The Old Treasury Building is one of the finest nineteenth century buildings in Australia, and one of a handful of buildings built during the 1850s gold rush to survive in Melbourne. Other grand public buildings nearby include the Parliament Building and the Government Printer’s Office. This suite of public buildings expressed the wealth and self-confidence of the relatively youthful colony of Victoria.
The first known contract drawings of the building were created in 1857 by John James ‘JJ’ Clark, a 19-year-old draftsman in the Public Works Department. His design for the Treasury Building is in the Renaissance Revival style, derived from the 'Italian palazzo' form popular in the nineteenth century. While the design changed before construction commenced, each version incorporated elements of the classic architectural orders: Doric, Ionic or Corinthian. JJ Clark was able to blend these traditional styles to create a wonderfully harmonious façade. Clark would go on to become one of the best-known architects in Australia and designed many fine buildings in several states.
The first construction contract was given to Robert Huckson in January 1858 for the substructure, basement and ground floor. Huckson would later receive the contract for the next stage of the first and second floors.
The exterior was constructed with Bacchus March sandstone (or freestone) from the Bald Hills quarry, approximately 50 kilometres west of Melbourne. This is over brick walls, with bluestone foundations. The bluestone foundations were mined from Footscray, and the floor above the barrel-vaulted basement is one metre thick.
The building itself was completed in 1862, but a shortage of funds meant that the forecourt remained unfinished. Until 1868 the front steps and terrace were temporary, with individual staircases leading to the three main front doors. These were replaced with the grand forecourt still standing today. Eventually the forecourt would have a guardhouse as well.
The Old Treasury Building is one of Melbourne’s heritage icons and is listed on the state Heritage Register.
We've included a couple of photos in the slideshow by Barnett Johnstone, showing the construction of the building at various stages.
All text © HotPress
Photographer was Charles Bayliss.
This is a digitally retouched reproduction of the original held by the State Library of New South Wales. All prints are reproduced without the HOTPRESS watermarks.
Our team of conservators have worked on a high resolution digital image in order to remove some of the damage caused by the handling and storage of the original. We strive to provide authentic representations of the original work that are suitable for enlargements that retain the tones and character of the original. Please note that small but numerous blemishes will be visible in any size print of this image, especially anything larger than A4.
