Commercial Premises, 294 Cambridge Street

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic value as a good example of an Inter War combined shop and retail premises with original form and detail
despite evidence of poor structural integrity.

The place has historic value for its association with the development of Wembley in the Inter War period and this section of Cambridge Street which was, and continues to be, a retail hub.

The place has social value for its continuity of function as a commercial premises since the 1930s.

Physical Description

A single storey inter-war commercial building located on the corner of Cambridge Street and Nanson Street. The place consists of three separate units, each presenting in a similar manner tied together by the painted rendered finish and the face brickwork to the lower section of the shop frontages.

The roof cladding over the former residence is a product known as Decramastic (Decromastic) which was a galvanised steel metal roof cladding with a tile profile.

There is evidence of concrete corrosion and cracking in the parapet to all three shop premises. The verandah canopy is in poor condition due to regular collisions with vehicles. The rear of the property demonstrates poor structural integrity as evidenced by failing mortar and cracking.

History

This place is one of a number of buildings constructed in the late 1920s to serve the growing community in the district. As was common practice the original building was a combined shop and residence. Its location on the corner of Cambridge and Nanson Streets was valuable exposure for the business.

Plans dated 1930 are held by the Town of Cambridge which indicate the original form and detail of the building are still evident. The plans are noted with the name of local builder J H Glenn, identified in additional research as William Luitpold John Henry Glenn (1898-1972). Glenn was a well-known local builder who lived at 308 Cambridge Street with his wife and two children. It is likely that Glenn designed, as well as constructed the premises.

Glenn may have been a competent builder but was not a good business man, who also enjoyed gambling, leading to several appearances in local courts and bankruptcy in 1937. Glenn served during the Second World War with the Australian Imperial Force and avoided another legal issue over contracts with the Workers Home Board undertaken when he was still bankrupt.
When the premises were first occupied in 1931 one of the premises was vacant and the others were occupied by, hairdresser Frederick Holland, and draper Joseph W Bateman. The owner of the property has not been identified in this research.

Aerial photographs indicate that the form and extent of the building has not changed significantly since the mid 20th century although the lot was subdivided c2007 allowing the construction of a car park at the rear of the lot accessed from Nanson Street. A site visit in August 2018 indicated that the internal arrangement of the spaces has been altered and the rear portion of the building is in poor condition.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.