Charles Webb (architect)


Charles Webb was an architect working in Victoria, Australia during the 19th century. Notable Webb designs include the iconic Windsor Hotel, Royal Arcade, South Melbourne Town Hall and Tasma Terrace, all listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Biography

Charles Webb was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, England on 26 November 1821, as the youngest of nine children. After being apprentice at an architect in London, in 1847 he became the secretary of the London Architectural Students' Society. Following his brother James who earlier migrated to Australia, Charles arrived in Melbourne on 2 June 1849. He set up an architecture and surveyor partnership with his brother at Brighton. Their first important commission was for the St Paul's Church on Swanston Street in 1850. After 1858 Webb practised on his own, until two of his sons joined him in 1888. In this period he designed several public buildings, including the Wesley College, Alfred Hospital, Royal Arcade, South Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Orphan Asylum and the Grand Hotel later renamed Hotel Windsor. In 1856 he was a founding member of the Victorian Institute of Architects, and between 1882-83 the organisation's president.

Significant works