Drabble Building (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

04033 Bay View Terrace Commercial Heritage Precinct

Statement of Significance

Considerable Contribution: significant Federation double storey commercial architecture that demonstrates significant associations with Walter Drabble and his enterprises.

Physical Description

The double storey shop with a triple frontage is rendered masonry. The first floor level has a central rectangular dominant parapet flanked by lower parapets with outside pilasters. The window configuration is similarly dominated by a central window detail flanked by single arched windows. A doorway on the extreme side of the ground floor frontage provides first floor access and the adjacent shopfront is contemporary. Similarly the adjoining frontage is aluminium framed glazing although there is a dado wall and re-entrant door. A flat boxed suspended verandah awning extends across the frontage.

History

The Drabble Building was under construction in 1903, and is recorded in the rate books as a brick shop and dwelling on part of Lot 67. It was occupied by Walter Drabble's hardware business. Drabble's house painting and sign writing business had previously occupied premises on the opposite side of Bay View Tce, just south of Diver Street (St Quentin Ave). The date of 1885 on the parapet of the Drabble Building indicates the establishment of Walter Drabble's business.

By the 1920s, Drabbles had become one of the largest wholesale and retail hardware concerns in the state, stocking all builders' requirements, crockery, glassware, fancy goods, agricultural tools, sporting goods, etc. The building extended back to Leura Ave, with warehouses and yards occupying about two acres of land. Five motor lorries delivered to the metropolitan area. In 1926, Drabbles became a limited company under managing director Horace Mercer, following Walter Drabble's retirement. The rooms on the upper floor were tenanted as offices by 1930 and at that time were occupied by dressmaker Miss L. Ward, accountant Arthur Ewens and Miss Chisholm's ladies' rest room.
Drabble's business changed hands several times until it was eventually taken over by Bunnings, and by the 1970s was owned by the Bond Corporation. When Drabble's Building was remodelled as part of the Old Theatre Lane development, a solid concrete strong-room took 16-days to jack-hammer out.
In 1986, Bay View Investment had an office in the building, and the shop tenants on the Terrace were John Buzza Pty Ltd and Belucci. John Buzza had established his menswear business at No. 29 on the opposite side of the Terrace in 1969, but had moved across the street when his previous shop became part of the remodelling of that area in 1973. He preferred the older style of building to the new. Belucci had been at No. 50 from at least 1981.
In the 21st Century, Felicidad and Friendlies Eyes optometrist were operating from the premises.

Uses

Creation Date

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