It has been argued by those who oppose the McDonald’s, Tecoma development that the old Hazelvale dairy had historical significance worth saving. Historic architecture is important to our sense of identity and that of our community and we should be careful to retain as much of this heritage as is practical.
The old Hazelvale dairy however is an example of a property that has been denuded of its original aesthetic, stripped of its original structural integrity and lacking in any outstanding social or historic importance. For a building to be outstanding, It should support a definitive architectural style or historical or social value. A fantastic example of which is the old United Kingdom hotel in Clifton Hill, Melbourne. Formerly a pub. the building has been saved from the wreckers and re-purposed into a McDonald's restaurant. The building itself is a majestic example of the art deco/streamline style popular in the early 30's to early 50's.
The Hazelvale dairy is from the same era, however it was constructed in a much simpler, utilitarian style, not dissimilar to countless other commercial properties still extant around the country, and often in better and more original condition.
Unfortunately, the old dairy fails to meet even the most basic of preconditions to be regarded as anything other that just another old building and in fact, It would be hard to recognise it as having any real historical relevance whatsoever given its current condition.
There was likely a time, when the old United Kingdom hotel in Clifton Hill had replaced an older structure. It's because of that development that we now have such a beautiful example of 30's art deco architecture. Nobody is suggesting that the proposed new McDonald's in Tecoma will be of lasting architectural or social importance, but is it not beyond belief that people in the future might look upon that structure as having some intrinsic social or architectural value, especially considering the efforts the company has gone to to make the structure as unobtrusive and befitting the character of the town as possible? After all, there are some that would argue that the simplistic, industrial design of the old Hazelvale dairy is worth saving. Why not the 'old' McDonald's?
The old Hazelvale dairy however is an example of a property that has been denuded of its original aesthetic, stripped of its original structural integrity and lacking in any outstanding social or historic importance. For a building to be outstanding, It should support a definitive architectural style or historical or social value. A fantastic example of which is the old United Kingdom hotel in Clifton Hill, Melbourne. Formerly a pub. the building has been saved from the wreckers and re-purposed into a McDonald's restaurant. The building itself is a majestic example of the art deco/streamline style popular in the early 30's to early 50's.
The Hazelvale dairy is from the same era, however it was constructed in a much simpler, utilitarian style, not dissimilar to countless other commercial properties still extant around the country, and often in better and more original condition.
Unfortunately, the old dairy fails to meet even the most basic of preconditions to be regarded as anything other that just another old building and in fact, It would be hard to recognise it as having any real historical relevance whatsoever given its current condition.
There was likely a time, when the old United Kingdom hotel in Clifton Hill had replaced an older structure. It's because of that development that we now have such a beautiful example of 30's art deco architecture. Nobody is suggesting that the proposed new McDonald's in Tecoma will be of lasting architectural or social importance, but is it not beyond belief that people in the future might look upon that structure as having some intrinsic social or architectural value, especially considering the efforts the company has gone to to make the structure as unobtrusive and befitting the character of the town as possible? After all, there are some that would argue that the simplistic, industrial design of the old Hazelvale dairy is worth saving. Why not the 'old' McDonald's?
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