Dimmeys
140-160 Swan Street, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia
Expertise heritage management planning • conservation works • site interpretation
Client Joel Freeman
Client Joel Freeman
Dimmeys, with its heroic clocktower, has been a Melbourne landmark since the department store’s new extension opened in 1910. The complex was designed by architect H.W. & F.B. Tompkins, and was the subject of a conservation management plan prepared by Lovell Chen in 2013, prior to the site’s redevelopment by its new owner.
In 2015, we completed conservation works to exterior of the heritage building, including the complete restoration of the main frontage, the Green Street façade and the clocktower. We also developed an interpretation plan.
To the rear of the structure, on the south side of the site, a new nine-storey residential tower by Armsby Architects has been constructed. Residential accommodation now occupies the upper floor of the heritage building, with a large retail tenancy at ground level.
Conservation works included extensive paint removal and the repointing of the brickwork — unifying the façade. The building originally had verandahs on two sides. The challenge in reinstating features is to make them work in the context of modern requirements. Vehicle turning specifications precluded the reinstatement of the verandah on Green Street but the Swan Street verandah has been reinstated.
The interpretation plan was implemented using panels designed by David Huxtable of LookEar, which have been installed in the residential lobby on the north side of the building.
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Heritage data
constructed in stages 1907 – 1919, extended 1986
original architect H.W. & F.B. Tompkins
victorian heritage register H 2186
aerial photo : Tom Blachford
other photos : courtesy Crema Constructions
interpretation photo : David Huxtable
SELECTED REPORTS HELD
full list : see REPORTS INDEX
Dimmeys: 140-160 Swan Street, Richmond: conservation management plan
Lovell Chen / AUGUST 2013 : CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
