Preserving Heritage Structures
Preserving History: Mammoth Movers and the Art of Relocating Heritage Buildings
When the Past Meets the Future
In the heart of South Australia, where history whispers through the bricks and timbers of old buildings, Mammoth Movers is quietly ensuring that our heritage remains intact. With our pioneering approach to preserving historic structures, we are able to guard Australia’s architectural legacy. Our secret? Moving entire heritage buildings in one piece.
The Echuca Wharf Shed: A Floating Journey Through Time
Picture this: the Echuca Wharf Shed, perched on the banks of the Murray River, its weathered timber telling tales of river trade and bustling paddle steamers. When the wharf needed to be rebuilt and the threat of demolition loomed, Mammoth Movers stepped in. With precision and care, we lifted the entire shed onto our specialised equipment and rubber tyres. Slowly, it rolled from its original location to the other end of the wharf where today, it stands proudly as a riverside café, where visitors sip coffee and imagine the ghosts of riverboat captains.
The Hornsby Signal Box: A Masonry Marvel on Wheels
Australia’s first masonry building to be relocated in one piece on rubber tyres—the Hornsby Signal Box—owes its survival to the forward thinking of the NSW government and Mammoth Movers. Built in the 1920s, this technological gem allowed remote track switching. When urban expansion demanded a new express rail line and threatened its existence, Mammoth Movers stepped in. We carefully raised it, preserving every detail and rolled it to its new home. Today, it stands as a testament to innovation, surrounded by railway history.
The Blood Brothers Corner Store: A Victorian Gem Finds a New Home
The Blood Brothers Corner Store, originally built in 1914, stands as the oldest commercial building in Ringwood, Victoria. Mammoth Movers relocated the building to enable the development of a multi-story carpark adjacent to Ringwood Railway Station, benefiting the local community. Today, the iconic green ceramic tiles still read ‘Blood Bros,’ a testament to its enduring legacy. The building will be restored as part of the carpark development and be given a new life in the community in its new location; where it has been returned to a genuine corner location
Laveter House: A Grand Dame’s Journey to Renewal
Laveter House, a grand example of early residences in Melbourne’s Rosanna area, faced an uncertain fate as it was located in the footprint of a proposed extension of the Assisi Aged Care Centre.
Laveter House, built around 1910, boasts three chimneys with back-to-back fireplaces, lathe and plaster walls, molded ceilings and a terracotta-tiled roof. Today, it stands as a living testament to Queen Anne style architecture and the preservation of our past.
Beyond the Past: Future Projects and Repurposed Treasures
But Mammoth Movers’ mission doesn’t end with the past. We envision a South Australia where heritage buildings thrive, not crumble; are treasured, not demolished. Mammoth Movers agrees that whilst heritage structures should not stand in the way of progress, when consideration is given to the alternative of relocation, both progress and preservation can coexist side by side. Mammoth Movers’ projects have lead to the enhancement of developments with the relocated historical buildings becoming pivotal to the overall development charm and form.
Imagine parts of the Thebarton Police Barracks transformed into a vibrant arts precinct, its rooms housing painters and sculptors with outlets for their art. Or open to small cafes and gift shops frequented by patients and visitors of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Seven heritage buildings have been preserved and adapted on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, retained and repurposed for new tenancies, activations, and mixed uses. A testament to thinking outside of the box. Why shouldn’t significant buildings on the north south corridor be retained? Imagine a South Australia where our architectural treasures are cherished, not lost—a place where history is not only remembered but lived.
So next time you see a historic building on the brink of demolition, think of Mammoth Movers. We are not just moving structures; we’re preserving stories, memories, and the soul of our state. Relocation is a better, viable alternative to demolition without compromising development. We are here to keep our heritage alive, one building at a time.
Remember, the past isn’t lost—it’s just waiting for a new address.
We are experts at moving structures
We excel at ensuring any type of structure, including those with historical significance, are safely relocated.