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Period: to
Historical Development Of Chapel Street
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Humble Beginnings
In the 1830s Chapel Street was just a rough track leading from what is now known as Toorak road in the direction of the Mornington Pennisula. -
'Chapel Road'
It assumed the name Chapel Road in the early 1840's afte rthe construction of a Chapel on its eastern side just north of Commerical Road. It served well as a road for tradespeople who used it to cart bricks and wood as well as fruit and vegetables. -
Land Sales
In the 1840's and 1850's land sales occured along Chapel Street. Shops and other dwellings were becoming strongly apparent along the street. It was levelled from a rought track and partially drained. -
Local Businneses for Local Needs
in the 1860's most activity in the street was spatially assoictaed with the newly constructed Prahran town hall, Court House and Mechanics institute. Buildings were made from local brick, timber and were more often than not prefabricated from iron. The shops included bakers, butchers, general stores and fresh fruits and evegatbles which came from market gardens in the district. The street started bustling with activity supporting trade such as capentry, bricklaying and timber milling. -
From 'Country Road to Suburban Street'
The district was given the title of a town in 1870. -
The Emergence of a city.
In early 1879 Chapel Street and its surrounding district was offficially deemed a city. Shops were built for renting and all of them followed a simlar structure of having their entrances located at the side of the narrow, single glass display window. Living spaces were often loctaed at the rear of shops. -
Changes
Towards the end of the 19th century many changes to shopping in chapel street occured. General stores disspaeared and gave way to the development of mor especialised shops. Furiniture stores also developed. Prahran also gained a number of watchmakers, clockmakers and jewellers in the time span. Another major aspect of historical development on Chapel Street which occured late in the 19th century was the growing of small factories. -
Growth
In the early stages of the 20th Century the successful businesses found themselves building larger premises. Elaborate 2-3 storey buildings were also erected at the time, often decorated with swirls, shells, balustardes and flowers, which were readily identifiable. The repuation of the street as a exciting and convient shopping centre experienced strong growth in this period and attracted many shoppers froma number of other suburbs. -
Commerical Change
The early 20th century saw another change in the street. As suburban settlement spread spatial change eventually abosrbed ,any of the orchards. Becuase the suburban sprawling, supplies had to be trucked from greater distances and at much greater expense. Preserving companies found it less economic to operate in Prahran and found themselves moving to country districts, mainly in the Goulburn Valley in Victoria's north east. A major building, the Jam factory, decided to close its doors. -
Electrification Of Tram Lines
Electrification of tram lines of chapel street was a major breakthrough as it allowed commuters in and out of the major shopping district. -
Stability
Despite impacts of the great depression in the 1930's Chapel Streets market remained remarkably stable. However in this period of time potential and formerly loyal customers were turing to their own local shopping centres or to stores in the central business distrcts which were proving to be, even more exciting. -
Trams
The development of tram routes after its electrification benefited Chapel Street. Trams ran direct from Richmond and an elctric tram from East Malvern travelling along Glenferrie Road and High Street bought passnegers to Chapel Street. Fares were cheap and trams ran frequently from early morning to late at night. -
After World War ll
The depression and world war 2 had serious impacts on the traders of Chapel Street. Price controls were put in place and resgular inpsections ensured that they were enforced. The coming of chain stores whuch as Wollworths and Coles, long established families were bought out and replaced. The chain stores offered weekly specials, self-service and large refrigerator cabinets. The development of large food wholesalers meant many pastry cooks, bakers and fruit shops failed. -
The 50's
The 1950's events on Chapel Street were merely a progression ofthe events in the 1940's and the development of the supermarket resualted in independant family stores closing their doors. Ham-and-beef sellers, confectioners, tobacconists and bakers all dissapared. Not long after that, Butchers and poultry sellers also dissapeared. This was a major historical development in Chapel Street. -
Immigrants
In this period of the time, the post-war years, many immigrants found their way to chapel street. Cake stores, homemade breads, delicattasena and take away food stores became part of Chapel Streets streetscape as a result. -
Decline
Small clothing shops and suppliers could not compete with larger retailers and closed down. In this time period the street assumed a somewhat shabbier apperance making it seem somewhat aged. The 1960's and 1970's were a massive period decline in the street. -
The Place To Be (Part 1)
Since the decline Chapel Street has seen an emergence of new activity which takes place on the street. Chapel street in this time was deemed a 'microcosm' in Melbourne's growing multicultural society. Chapel street became a favoured, tourist, retail and recreational haven. Major entertainment complexes such as the redeveloped Jam Factory aswell as hotels, bars and dance clubs which were distributed along the street it a cultural hot-spot. -
The Place To Be (Part 2)
The trend of inner-city living also played a part in reviving Chapel Street. The council acquired space for off-street car parking auch as the prahran market carpark and the Cato Street Carpark, so Chapel Street customers could find readily available parking while shopping. -
Now
Chapel Street has established itself as a unique and exciting cultural hub within Melbourne. It attracts a variety of ages, social classes and econmoic statuses which is what makes it the popular, commercially viable street it is today.