Newspaper House: 247-249 Collins St , MELBOURNE

Building Profile

Location

Construction Details

Built in the Interwar period in the Art-Deco style

Notable features

Features a facade clad with sandstone ashlar with pairs of balconettes and a glass mosaic by Napier Waller entitled "Ill put a girdle around the earth".

History

The Newspaper House mosaic was designed by Napier Waller in 1932. Waller was the leading neo-classical mural painter of the period. The mosaic was commissioned as part of a new facade for the original 1884 building. The new facade was designed by architects Stephenson & Meldrum for the Herald and Weekly Times Limited, who had recently acquired building. The theme of the mosaic was suggested by Mr. Theodore Fink, a director of the company, with the text, "Ill put a girdle round about the earth". The mural is read from left to right and in the classical style celebrates technological advances in the progress of mankind. It is located at first floor level and is affixed to slate panels fixed to the brickwork with copper dowels. It is in three sections divided by two windows. There are only two other mosaics by Napier Waller, who studied, lived and worked in Melbourne - one in Temple Court, Collins Street and the other at Monash House, William Street.

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