The City of Melbourne Fish, Meat & Farm Produce Markets – Contract No. 1, Sheet No. 4 1890
Robert George Gordon Architect
Registration number
1087106
Artist/maker
Robert George Gordon Architect
Title
The City of Melbourne Fish, Meat & Farm Produce Markets – Contract No. 1, Sheet No. 4
Production date
1890
Medium
paper
Dimensions (H x W x D)
89 x 123.5 cm (framed)
Inscriptions
CONTRACT NO. 1 / SHEET NO. 4 / THE CITY OF MELBOURNE FISH, MEAT & FARM PRODUCE MARKETS / SECTION - THROUGH - WHOLESALE - FISH - MARKET / SCALE 1/8 INCH TO ONE FOOT - / - SECTION - ON - LINE - A.B.
Credit line
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection
Keywords
Summary
The Fish, Meat and Farm Produce Market development was a massive design undertaking that involved a high level of architectural and engineering skill. Promoted as a '...marvel of completeness' the opening of the Markets was anticipated with much excitement and media hyperbole. In addition to the auctioneers' stands and offices, a coffee room was erected to provide daily refreshments, and a row of retail warehouses was built facing Flinders Street. The Markets' refrigerating machines and electricity plant were all powered by two sets of Babcock and Wilcox's boilers, allowing for the production of 30 tonnes of ice a day and the thrill of modernity as evidenced by electric lighting.
The Fish Markets were finally demolished sometime in the mid-20th century. The Fish Markets were relocated to Footscray Road and renamed the Wholesale Market in the 1960s.