The Former Gollin and Company Building is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria, as a rare example of a commercial building in the Queen Anne style designed by the prominent Melbourne architect, Charles D’Ebro. Trethowan Architecture have been engaged to carry out a refurbishment of the interior areas to allow for functional and modern office space, and also carried out heritage consultancy services throughout the project.

All new works are to retain and enhance those areas of significance, and wherever possible seek to undertake conservation works or reconstruction back to an earlier known state. Therefore, in addition to architectural design, documentation and interior design proposals, the team at Trethowan Architecture also carried out historical and investigative works to ensure this accurate detailing of conservation works, where suitable.

A significant part of the scope of works was to ensure that BCA compliance and accessibility were incorporated into the refurbishment. Specifically, the staircases were assessed against any adverse impact that the compliance works might have on the heritage fabric, and where required, alternative methods or dispensations from a building certifier was sought.