This is the corner building of one of three, two-storey stuccoed brick shops and residences constructed in 1885. The building at 492 is the largest and has a splayed corner. The parapets have arched entablatures above the deep cornice. The first floor facades have the paired arched windows with flat, pediments and sills, and the string-mould at the storey line. Vermiculated panels are applied to the pilasters, which divide the shops and in the spandrels of the window pairs. The building is contributory to the North Melbourne Heritage Overlay Precinct.
The building had been painted with multiple coats of thick paint with some areas having a textured finish indicating a skim coat of render has been applied over layers of paint. The original finish would have been rendered cement with ruled ashlar lines and a tinted wash over the render. The grant application was for removal of the paintwork and façade and parapet render repairs.
In November 2019, the VHRF Committee of Management agreed to offer a grant of $32,000 towards the façade works under the Melbourne Landmark and Community Building stream run in the 2020 financial year.
The paint removal works revealed the original stone colour lime wash finish as well as extensive painted signage advertising Velvet Soap and the former use of the building as a Grocer. In consultation with the VHRF Architect, the applicant has decided not to remove the painted signage as this is an important part of the history of the building and there are sections of the building showing the original tinted lime wash that are also important to retain. If the building were to be re-finished in a lime wash, the painted signage would need to be removed and it is considered that removal of the paint has in itself transformed the appearance of the building as viewed in the streetscape. As a result of the project owner/applicant has become very engaged with the conservation approach and is now a champion for using sound conservation methods on heritage buildings.