The nine-storey Nicholas Buildings were designed in 1924 by Harry Norris for Alfred Nicholas as speculative office and retail space. An addition to the building (the annexe) was designed in 1938 for G.J.Coles and contains four floors including a basement. The buildings have been in the same ownership consortium and maintained by the same architect since the 1970s. The purpose of the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was to establish the significance of the building according to a range of criteria, to provide policy direction, and to outline strategies to facilitate ongoing maintenance, upgrades and conservation of the building. A analysis of social significance was essential to a sound understanding of cultural significance. The CMP outlined the statutory obligations for the owners as a result of listing on the Victorian Heritage Register, and the works for which permit exemptions may be sought. [Source: Context Pty Ltd]