Remodeled Terrace Houses: 182-196 Glen Eira Road. Elsternwick, Victoria

At first glance this row of eight terraces opposite Caulfield Grammar School in Elsternwick looks like it may have been an interwar or postwar anachronism.  Even a second glance.  However there are some giveaways that this is actually an extreme makeover of a row of Victorian terraces.  The original terraces have been stripped bare almost beyond recognition with verandah roof removed, new squared concrete balconies, rendered fences and new metal balcony railings.  The overall form, however is Victorian, with what remains of the window surrounds and chimneys most intact.  What were probably classical pediments on the parapet have become boxy references to the older terrace style complete with nostalgic gas lamps which look very much out of place.  The parapet once concealed a gable style corrugated iron roof on each of the individual terraces which is now exposed.

The terrace itself, while difficult to date, looks like it originated in the late 1870s, while the makeover is likely to have been as late as the 1940s or 1950s.  It is probably therefore fortunate that the terrace wasn’t completely demolished like many were at the time to make way for dog-box style flats which are common in the area.  What remains is certainly an interesting hybrid nonetheless.

The terrace has some local council heritage protection through City of Glen Eira heritage overlay HO72.